Minnesota governor signs bill to build new Vikings stadium

[fansince'76]

ST. Paul (AP) – Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday signed off on a hard-fought agreement to build the Minnesota Vikings a $975 million stadium at the downtown Minneapolis site of the team's current home, the Metrodome.

With team owners Zygi and Mark Wilf looking on, Dayton signed the bill to mostly cheers, whistles and chants of 'Skol, Vikings,' the NFL team's fight song. However, one protester yelled "Shame on you! Shame on you!" as the governor put pen to paper - underscoring the strong opposition by some critics who said taxpayers shouldn't have to shoulder so much of the cost of the new venue.

"This is what makes Minnesota special," Dayton said before signing the bill, noting that Minneapolis-St. Paul is the smallest of a dozen metropolitan areas with all four major league sports teams.

The team hopes to move into the new stadium by 2016.

Read more: Minnesota governor signs bill to build new Vikings stadium (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/vikings/story/2012-05-14/stadium-bill-governor/54957520/1)

[steelerdude15]

I wonder what it will look like.

[fansince'76]

I wonder what it will look like.

There are some proposed sketches here (http://www.vikings.com/stadium/new-stadium.html).

[steelerdude15]

There are some proposed sketches here (http://www.vikings.com/stadium/new-stadium.html).

Now that looks cool, congrats to the Vikings and their fans. The only purple team in the NFL that is acceptable. :chuckle:

[BnG_Hevn]

If I were them, I'd definitely have it be an open stadium, give themselves and advantage of sorts in January.

[suitanim]

I missed the sketches first time I looked. I'm wondering, if this is NOT an open stadium, is the end that's open and showing the view of the city GLASS? If so, how could they make one giant piece of glass like that, I mean, it looks as wide or wider than the field and a football field is over 50 yards wide! If it is glass, I'd hate to have to pay to replace it if someone threw a rock though it or something...

edit: Nevermind...I enlarged the second image and it is definitely open. It looks like there are some giant doors that would enclose the end that has the view.

[fansince'76]

If I were them, I'd definitely have it be an open stadium, give themselves and advantage of sorts in January.

Doubt the corporate suits are going to be willing to sit in 20° below zero weather, and let's face it, they are the only ones that Goodell gives a rat's ass about.

[steelreserve]

Doubt the corporate suits are going to be willing to sit in 20° below zero weather, and let's face it, they are the only ones that Goodell gives a rat's ass about.

That, plus it'd blow their chances of ever hosting the Super Bowl, which omg you HAVE to do to show off your new stadium. Although that kind of goes hand in hand with the corporate suits.