Wilf and Pawlenty meet?

by VikesFaninNM on Dec 16, 2009 12:23 PM CST Comment 23 comments

Just scoped this on the rumors page, so who knows it was true or not, but here is the article.

Vikings and Governor meet about new stadium?

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf apparently met with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty privately yesterday to talk about Wilf's desire for a new stadium for his team, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. And, oh yeah, could the state throw in some dough? The meeting was supposedly "very positive." One would guess that Wilf tried to sell Pawlenty on the idea that there needed to be some movement on this in 2010. It isn't clear whether Wilf went ahead and put out the threat of the Vikings moving to try and goose Pawlenty into doling out some of the state's dough to the Vikes.

Pawlenty's rep, though, is saying that the pair didn't discuss too many specifics about the proposals for a new stadium or when the cash-strapped state should actually deal with those. So one wonders what they talked about then. Brett Favre's (notes) retirement plans? Pawlenty's presidential hopes? Wilf's mustache styling?

Whatever they talked about, a design for a new $954 million stadium to replace the Metrodome will be unveiled tomorrow.

Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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AP

no, not Adrian Peterson, but the associated press reported this to happen as well. It’s nice that Wilf can go directly to the top when/if needed. Somewhat positive huh?

by Jepp The Viking on Dec 16, 2009 12:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Pawlenty...

made it sound like, not that big of a deal… they meet every few months to ‘talk’.
and nothing has changed… Pawlenty won’t raise taxes to pay for a new stadium.

I BELIEVE...

by ArizonaVikingsFan on Dec 16, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if this new design

will be similar to the “old” design they drawn up earlier.. kinda excited to see what it will look like

by hickenizgriz on Dec 16, 2009 12:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Im guessing it went something like this:

Pawlenty sits through a couple minutes of Wilf’s 3 hour speech, then yawns brazenly. After tolerating a couple more minutes, he begins chit-chatting with the dude next to him about that new sandwich place downstairs. Finally, after determining he’s heard enough, Pawlenty announces he’s grown bored and offers to take his present cabinet to Hooters for happy hour. The room clears, leaving just Wilf and his crew who patiently (bless his soul) sit down, fold their hands, and wait until the governer’s office returns 2 hours later to finish their pitch.

Seriously though, my point is that Pawlenty (and the entire legislature for that matter) think this whole thing is just a big joke and refuse to give it any serious thought. It pisses me off to no end that they won’t even discuss the options, but I guess that’s just politics for ya.

by Jayrome007 on Dec 16, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think it might have gone like this:

Wilf: Hi Governor.
TPaw: Hi, have we met before?
Wilf: Yes, I’m Zygi Wilf, owner of the Vikings.
TPaw: Who? Of what?
Wilf: Zygi Wilf, owner of the Vikings.
TPaw: Ooooooooooohhhhh yeah, the Vikings. Hey, how are they doling this year?
Wilf: Well, pretty good. Looks like we’ve got a team that could go all the way this year.
TPaw: They won’t go anywhere, there’s a lease and a great stadium to play in.
Wilf: No, all the way to the Super Bowl.
TPaw: So you’re not moving then?
Wilf: Well, we really ne—
TPaw: Staff!! Press release! The Vikes love their stadium and they’re not going anywhere!

"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."

--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre

by MilCardFan on Dec 16, 2009 4:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I got a good laugh out of this one, though sadly, I can see this actually happening.

"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"You men are only risking your lives, while I am risking an almost-certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor!"
"We have clearance Clarence. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"

by VikesFaninNM on Dec 16, 2009 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Packers fans?

Are Pawlenty and Marty Packers fans? That would explain a lot.

by medicineball on Dec 16, 2009 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The best shot the Vikings have at getting a new stadium...

is to somehow shoehorn it in with legislation that expands on gambling and a casino that would help pay for the stadium.

As it stands now, I don’t think there is enough support with Minnesota lawmakers to approve of a new stadium.

The only way it will get thru is with some alternative approach.

by EasternVike on Dec 16, 2009 6:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

is to shoehorn it in with legislation that expands on gambling and perhaps a new casino from which the funds could be used for the new stadium.

As it stands right now, I don’t think there is enough support with Minnesota lawmakers to approve of the stadium funding. I don’t see this changing unless perhaps, the Vikings win the Superbowl.

Our best shot at a new stadium currently stands with some alternative approach to funding.

Finally, for some reason I had to repost this as my first post only took the header for some odd reason..

by EasternVike on Dec 16, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's face the truth

There is only one reason why the Vikings don’t have a stadium right now: Indians are paying off the state legislators.

by medicineball on Dec 16, 2009 7:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If thats true...

why would they do that?

The Vikings bring in thousands of out of state visitors who no doubt inject millions of dollars into the local economy of Minnesota. Some of that money would go to them.

by EasternVike on Dec 16, 2009 7:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Racino

The only way to fund the Vikings, considering the Minnesota state budget situation, is through a racino or other gambling issue. The state derives no revenue from casinos. Minnesota is the only state in this idiotic situation. The Indians get ALL the revenue from their casinos.

The only way to fund the stadium is through a racino. The Indians don’t want a racino (slot machines at the racetracks) and the Indians are pouring an incredible amount of money into stopping the Vikings.

It’s the Indians.

by medicineball on Dec 16, 2009 8:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Competition is fierce

I wouldn’t doubt that competition ( Native casinos) are lobbying hard against a State Racino. I would expect any money making enterprise to do the same. When Minnesota passed their original racetrack bill they authorized gambling on Indian territory. At some point they had to negotiate with the State on some form of gambling compromise. At least that’s what every other State did. If the State failed to negotiate any revenue from the casinos then shame on them.

The next move from the existing gambling interest will be that in return for the State not expanding gambling, the Native casinos will fund the stadium. Of course to do so the only catch will be that all forms of gambling will need to be allowed inside existing casinos.

This tactic has been used in several states by existing casinos. It will be interesting to watch.

by lifelongvike on Dec 17, 2009 6:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

To play that game, the state needs to create the possibility of a racino. If such a deal falls through, or the Indians don’t pay enough for the stadium, you have to push through the racino.

by medicineball on Dec 17, 2009 8:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The poorest segment of the population?

Native Americans (“Indians” are people from a place called India) are the poorest segment of the population. Even where there are NA casinos on tribal lands, the unemployment rate can be as high as 69%. The Great Depression only had 25% unemployment. It is laughable that they could be blamed for stopping a new stadium as a group.

by KC Viking on Dec 17, 2009 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I don't think your thinking that argument through KC

Just because a majority has no money doesn’t mean a vocal minority with money can’t pusht their own ideas across. As well, the people who don’t have jobs but might have a say on tribal lands will vote with them to get things done for them. It’s an us vs them ideology. So since the Indians do in fact control gambling and the 1% of Indians who actually own them are making a LOT of money I think it is extremely easy to say that they could in fact wield quite a bit of pressure in the state.

by Grime on Dec 17, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i worked at an indian casino

the unemployment rate was really high, but this was in large part due to the fact that they received a check twice a month from the tribe. Some worked and received the check some would not work. Anyway when the things were good the casino brought in about 1 million a day. Now I have no idea if they are lobbing against the Vikes or not but they do lobby and they do have quite a bit of money.

it is better to be thought of as dumb then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Ben Franklin

by montana vikes fan on Dec 17, 2009 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Having worked in a law office that represented a couple tribes in MN i’ll tell you right now KC that you are wrong.

The Native American tribes are some of the most politically active groups in the country. They are also incredibly litigious. They learned to play our game. You wouldnt believe the things I had to help them fight. The tribes love to drop cash on lawyers and lobbyists and why not when gambling brings in so much?

Its entirely within the realm of possibility that the Mdewankanton Sioux Community (upper and lower) would lobby against a Racino for sure and possibly a Vikings stadium if the stadium could be seen as a competitor to the Mystic Lake Casino.

We are the vikings.......resistance is futile.

by Hoss-Drone on Dec 17, 2009 1:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We should have gotten rid of them all when we had the chance!

Nah just kidding of course… Genocide is so passe.

by Grime on Dec 17, 2009 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I realize you were kidding.

But not funny, offensive and not funny.

"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 17, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

To all

Statistically, the Native Americans do in fact have the largest % living in poverty, even with some tribes having casinos. It doesn’t mean that very many of them are enjoying a suburban Twin Cities area kind of life at all.

If “they” are the most opposed to the stadium and in a great minority, then Pawlenty would have to allow “them” to hold it up. He is the governor, and he will be most remembered for a cheapskate mentality which allowed a bridge to collapse (which cost a ton of money rather than saving anything) and daring the Vikings to leave Minnesota.

by KC Viking on Dec 17, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs