Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The agency that runs U.S. Bank Stadium is changing its policy governing who gets to use the agency's stadium suites. 

A proposal posted Monday calls on the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority to identify visitors to the U.S. Bank Stadium suites and explain why they're using the agency's premium seats. Friends and family of agency executives will no longer be allowed.

The five-member panel was created by the state to own and operate the new $1.1 billion stadium. But the presence of officials including Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, stadium CEO Ted Mondale's father Walter and Minnesota Finance Commissioner Myron Franz raised concerns about how the MSFA distributes its free tickets and space in one of the most well-appointed facilities in the NFL. 

Reports by the Star Tribune detailing how the authority 

 brought critical reaction. Minnesota Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles is now investigating.

Officials' use of Vikings stadium suites triggers probe


The proposal, set to be considered by the MSFA on Friday, will require the agency to identify those in the suites for each event, their employers and their reasons for attending. The new policy would also identify the MSFA employee or commissioner who invited them.

The MSFA has direct responsibility for selling the stadium to potential occupants. The new policy would limit the use of the suites for marketing purposes only.

On Monday, however, the MSFA also released a list of dozens of other guests who have already watched soccer and football games and concerts from the MSFA suite. They include relatives and romantic partners of agency staff.

Also listed are local sports and political leaders, including former University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks, current university athletics director Mark Coyle and members of Gov. Mark Dayton's staff, including deputy chief of staff Linden Zakula.


Many are listed as having been at the stadium for unspecified marketing purposes. Critics have questioned whether the agency was using misusing its power. 


Dayton commended the authority's moves, saying in a statement that the "changes are consistent with my previously-stated position that public funds should only be expended for a public purpose."

The stadium authority on Monday said its current policy was similar to other public venues in the region but that the agency "has concluded that additional measures are necessary to remain a good steward of the public's investment in U.S. Bank Stadium while fully enabling our marketing efforts."

Stadium authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen indicated the public's concern on the matter was loud and clear.

"We've said OK, we hear you," she said Monday. "We are going to eliminate bringing any friends and family, and everyone who is in the box will only be in the box for marketing purposes."


The agency, she added, will keep detailed lists of people and the organization they are associated with, "so in the future, if there are questions, it won't take us the time it did over the last four months."

However, Mondale said not all names will be subject to disclosure. State law allows prospective customers of U.S. Bank Stadium to remain secret, he added.

"So if we're talking to business X about hey, come rent our facility for a holiday party," Mondale said in an interview, "we have a responsibility to keep that private by statute."

Sports

NewsPartners

Tim Nelson

Author

The proposed policy change calls on the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority to ID visitors to the U.S. Bank Stadium suites and explain why they're using the agency's premium seats. Friends and family of agency executives will no longer be allowed.

Agency shifts on Vikes stadium seat perks; no more friends, family

Go Deeper.

Like this?