After weeks of closed-door negotiations, Gov. Mark Dayton announced a deal Thursday to build a new Vikings stadium near the current Metrodome site in downtown Minneapolis, news sources report.
Under the proposal, the state would pay $398 million, the city would pay $150 million and the Vikings would add $427 million in upfront costs for the $975 million stadium. The city would also have to contribute $6 million in annual operating expenses and $1.5 million for capital improvements, according to the Minnesota Daily.
The stadium would open for the 2016 season and the Vikings would be required to play 30 years there, the Minnesota Daily reported.
Even with the announced deal, the stadium discussions are far from over. According to the Star Tribune, the skeptical Legislature must pass a stadium bill, the NFL must sign off on the plan, and the Minneapolis City Council must give their approval.
Ted Mondale, a stadium negotiator for Gov. Dayton, told reporters Thursday that the goal is to only have the team play at TCF Bank Stadium for one season, hopefully the 2015 season. It could be less than a year, however, depending on the exact location of the new stadium, according to the Minnesota Daily.
According to the Star Tribune, the $975 million stadium plan includes $828 million for the fixed-roof stadium and $147 million for infrastructure and relocation.
The stadium would have a fixed roof and an option to go retractable, but at no cost to the state or city. The stadium would seat 65,000 but could be expandable to 72,000 for events like the Super Bowl. It would also include 150 premium suites and 7,500 club seats, according to the Star Tribune.
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