As we all know, there are many people that are opposed to using "public money" to fund any portion of a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, saying that the benefits would not outweigh the costs of financing a stadium for billionaires and what not.

The NFL has all but said that if Minneapolis gets their act together and puts together a stadium deal for the Vikings, they'd be able to host at least one Super Bowl in the near future. Indianapolis, just a few years after constructing Lucas Oil Stadium, is scheduled to host next year's game. New York will be hosting one in the near future in their new mega-stadium, and word is that once Kansas City figures out a way to cover Arrowhead Stadium, they'll get one as well.

But Indianapolis is the one I want to focus on for a bit. Why? Well, there was a story on ESPN yesterday about how much Indianapolis. . .not the Colts, but the city of Indianapolis. . .would stand to lose if there was a lockout that caused the next Super Bowl to be canceled. The numbers are rather large.

Some estimate the windfall from the city's first Super Bowl, scheduled for Feb. 5, could reach upward of $400 million. If the game is canceled, Ball State professor Michael Hicks believes the city would lose $200 million.

If a Super Bowl in the city of Indianapolis could potentially generate $400 million, a Super Bowl for the city of Minneapolis would probably be able to generate even more. (I don't mean that as a shot at Indianapolis or anything. . .but the population of the Minneapolis metro area is nearly twice that of Indy's, and I believe that taxes in Minnesota are higher than those in Indiana, although I could be wrong on that).

I'm not sure how many folks in positions of power in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Arden Hills, and points beyond saw that article on ESPN, but hopefully it opened a few eyes. In economic times like these, $400 million. . .or more. . .certainly isn't anything to sneeze at.