Stadium Blog Post

They differ on naming rights, student fees

March 29, 2006
Aron Kahn
Pioneer Press

The University of Minnesota's new football stadium strategy passed its first test Tuesday at the state Capitol, but a panel of lawmakers punted several thorny financial issues to another committee.

Two stadium bills moved through the Senate Higher Education Committee on unanimous voice votes, indicating bipartisan support for a basic plan unveiled Friday with the support of Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

One of the bills, backed by the university, says funding should include student fees and a corporate name on the door. The other bill scraps the fee and the naming deal, with a key senator indicating those ideas are fundamentally tacky.

Sen. Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, whose district includes the university, said charging students $50 annually to help pay for the stadium is inappropriate in light of large tuition increases in recent years. He also wants the stadium name to honor veterans or a former university athletic hero or administrator.

Pogemiller, chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, called the university's $35 million naming rights deal with TCF Bank "nothing but advertising,'' and said the money should be made up with private donations or more state funds.

Under the basic plan, the state would buy 2,840 acres of university research land near Rosemount for $9.4 million a year for 25 years, and preserve the land for public recreation. The university would use the annual $9.4 million to help pay long-term debt on the proposed stadium on the Minneapolis campus.

A university-backed bill, sponsored by Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, incorporates those elements plus the student fees and naming rights. Pogemiller's bill would provide a larger state contribution — $11 million or $12 million a year — to make up for the elements he'd eliminate, but he didn't spell out where he'd get the money.

The Senate Finance Committee will deal with the funding questions, but first the House Capitol Investment Committee is scheduled to deliberate the matter today.

While senators and interested parties who testified Tuesday wanted to tweak the bill here and there, support for the land-for-stadium idea was palpable. The university brought a bench full of backers, including President Robert Bruininks and football coach Glen Mason.

Referring to the color and tradition of open-air campus stadiums, Mason said each time he returns to Minnesota after traveling to stadiums around the nation, he realizes "we're missing something here.''

Read the full story at: http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/14212846.htm