Stadium authority looking for a company to run Vikings stadium

Vikings stadium builders say they're getting ready to pick a company to run the new building when it opens in 2016.

The stadium law requires the state to hire a professional management company for the new stadium. That's a change from the Metrodome, which had its own staff with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.

It follows a pattern for other publicly-owned sports arenas and stadiums around the country, including Target Center, run by AEG in Minneapolis.

The new stadium authority closed applications on the work last week, and is considering bids from four companies, including one local firm.

"I think we have an opportunity to attract many big events to this building, so having a professional group that can come in and give us the next level of help from the sales and marketing perspective I believe will be helpful," said Michele Kelm-Helgen, the stadium authority chair.

The stadium authority is officially submitting a bid for the 2018 Super Bowl on April 1.

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