Vikings, Dayton trying to strike a deal for Metrodome stadium site

By Alysha Bohanon

The Minnesota Viking's stadium agreement still isn't finalized, but a deal may be struck soon, news sources report.

All of the major stakeholders, except officials from Minneapolis, met for an hour Tuesday, according to the Star Tribune. The deal seems to hinge on the Minneapolis' City Council.

Both Gov. Mark Dayton and Vikings owner Zygi Wilf emerged from the meeting and said the issues standing in the way of a deal for stadium at the Metrodome site should be resolved within a week and the stadium financing package would be released, the Pioneer Press reported.

But Dayton is wary to speak in definite terms about the stadium, the Star Tribune reported.

"I'm hopeful. I don't use the word 'optimistic' with this project any longer," Dayton said, according to the Star Tribune. "The number of issues that remain are limited, and can be overcome if all the parties are willing."

"I'm never going to say never," Wilf told the Pioneer Press about the possibility of the Arden Hills site, but added "we're very close on hammering a deal right now for the Minneapolis location at Metrodome."

It is estimated that a Minneapolis stadium deal would cost the city $150 million, the team $428 million and the state $340 million, the Pioneer Press reported.

But the stadium talks are far from over. Even if an agreement for a Minneapolis stadium is reached, the plan has a long way to go, the Pioneer Press reported.