Thread: Sharing U stadium an option for Vikings

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/31081274.html

[size=12pt]Sharing U stadium an option for Vikings[/size]

The new Gophers facility that opens next season is built to expand to 80,000 seats. If the Metrodome plan fizzles, it's a viable alternative worth considering.

By SID HARTMAN, Star Tribune

...

He actually makes some good points, and I would be in favor of it.
I am not familiar with the area around the Gophers stadium... is there any surrounding land that is available for development.
That is what the Wilfs are ultimately looking for in a new stadium.

Also, the state would have to forgo a roof.
That means they wouldn't get as much return on investment.
But since they are already building it... it could be workable.

I've always thought that this could be a viable option for the Vikings.
With the economy the way it is right now, and for the forseeable future, I'd say a brand-new stadium for the Vikes is unlikely.


My guess is that either the Metrodome will be renovated to modern standards - it's the cheapest option, and I'm not totally opposed to it, or a partnership with the U of M to use TCF Bank Stadium.
Either way, we will see the return of outdoor football for the Vikings, which I for one, have been yearning for!

the team sure did seem a lot tougher when they played outdoors.

"marshallvike" wrote:

the team sure did seem a lot tougher when they played outdoors.

Well, that is a fallacy.
We had great teams back in the 70's, but they would have been just as good indoors.
The rules were considerably different too, and things like free agency have helped dismantle dynasties.
The fact that the Vikings were outdoors had a rather small impact on their overall game play.

I personally would rather see a roof on a stadium.
December football in Minnesota is miserable, and if the team is struggling, there is no way in hell we would sell out the stadium.
However, the Gopher stadium is already designed and planned, so the issue of a roof is moot.
I see this as a viable solution for the Vikings, and I would love to see it pursued.

If the legislatures are smart, they will explore this option and present it to the Vikings, instead of waiting for the Vikings to present something to them.
Right now the state looks like the bad guy because they have rejected offer after offer without offering their own plan, delaying the stadium and driving the price up each year.
If they make an offer, the onus will be on Wilf.

"NodakPaul" wrote:

"marshallvike" wrote:

the team sure did seem a lot tougher when they played outdoors.

Well, that is a fallacy.
We had great teams back in the 70's, but they would have been just as good indoors.
The rules were considerably different too, and things like free agency have helped dismantle dynasties.
The fact that the Vikings were outdoors had a rather small impact on their overall game play.

I personally would rather see a roof on a stadium.
December football in Minnesota is miserable, and if the team is struggling, there is no way in hell we would sell out the stadium.
However, the Gopher stadium is already designed and planned, so the issue of a roof is moot.
I see this as a viable solution for the Vikings, and I would love to see it pursued.

If the legislatures are smart, they will explore this option and present it to the Vikings, instead of waiting for the Vikings to present something to them.
Right now the state looks like the bad guy because they have rejected offer after offer without offering their own plan, delaying the stadium and driving the price up each year.
If they make an offer, the onus will be on Wilf.

Does adding 30,000 make TCF Bank Stadium 80,000+?

That will be tough to fill in December.

=Z=

I noticed this on the TCF Stadium website:

There are 39 suites, 59 loge boxes, and 300 indoor club seats.

A log box is a mini suite that seats 4-6 people.
A suite seats 16-19.
The Metrodome currently has 98 suites.
It seems to me like the new TCF stadium has fewer non-revenue sharing seats than the Metrodome does, which would only make the $$ problem that much more pronounced.
There would have to be a lot more club and luxury seats added in the expansion for this to be feasible.

"NodakPaul" wrote:

I noticed this on the TCF Stadium website:

There are 39 suites, 59 loge boxes, and 300 indoor club seats.

A log box is a mini suite that seats 4-6 people.
A suite seats 16-19.
The Metrodome currently has 98 suites.
It seems to me like the new TCF stadium has fewer non-revenue sharing seats than the Metrodome does, which would only make the $$ problem that much more pronounced.
There would have to be a lot more club and luxury seats added in the expansion for this to be feasible.

I think it would only be temporary, the Vikes would get their stadium eventually... but could play in this stadium in the meantime, like what Arizona and Chicago did.

The only downside is that it is significantly smaller than the Metrodome.
Even for short term would that hurt the team?

"NodakPaul" wrote:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/31081274.html

[size=12pt]Sharing U stadium an option for Vikings[/size]

The new Gophers facility that opens next season is built to expand to 80,000 seats. If the Metrodome plan fizzles, it's a viable alternative worth considering.

By SID HARTMAN, Star Tribune

...

He actually makes some good points, and I would be in favor of it.
I am not familiar with the area around the Gophers stadium... is there any surrounding land that is available for development.
That is what the Wilfs are ultimately looking for in a new stadium.

Also, the state would have to forgo a roof.
That means they wouldn't get as much return on investment.
But since they are already building it... it could be workable.

There is a limited amount of undeveloped land around TCF.
Most of it is surrounded by Mariuci and Williams arenas.
Is it viable?
Of course.
Will the Wilfs be looking forward to it..
Probably not.

So the Gophers are going to finish their new stadium next season, only to start remodeling it so that the Vikings can come here?
I can't imagine that happening.
I can't imagine the Vikings wanting to play in a smaller venue with fewer revenue generating luxury seats.


Isn't this stadium being designed with a MAROON and gold color scheme?
Might clash with the purple.
I don't see this happening.
I'd be embarrassed if I were Wilf.
Settling for a college football field and all.