Private group produces its own Vikings stadium plan

A group supporting the Minnesota Vikings is pitching its own plan to build the team a new stadium.

Cory Merrifield runs www.SavetheVikes.com website. His plan calls on the state to put proceeds from a racino towards debt service on a new stadium. Merrifield says that he'd also like to see fans pick up part of the cost with a $16 ticket surcharge.

He also says the state could get as much as $500,000 a year from Vikings-themed license plates, much as Wisconsin does with a similar program.

"One of the biggest arguments I get from my opponents is that they just don't want to have to pay for a Vikings stadium," Merrifield said. "And guess what, I hear them. So yeah. Of course, the Vikings want to stay competitive, they want to keep ticket prices down. I completely understand that. As a fan, as a seasonticket holder, I share that sentiment. But at the same time, there's a lot of people that may not necessarily use the Vikings stadium and don't want to pay for it. So I am trying to find some compromise and put forward some creative solutions."

Republicans introduced a racino bill this week, but pledged the proceeds to an economic development fund, not a stadium.

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