A Minnesota Senate committee narrowly approved a public subsidy on Friday to help the Vikings build a new football stadium, reviving the team's struggling effort just hours after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited the state Capitol to jumpstart what had been a stalled stadium debate. The Senate's Local Government and Elections Committee passed the bill on an 8-6 vote after a hearing that stretched nearly four hours. While the stadium bill still faces a long haul in the waning days of Minnesota's legislative session, the committee's vote gave the $975 million stadium proposal new life four days after a companion bill's defeat in a House committee sparked near panic among supporters. The setback in the House had prompted the visit Friday by Goodel and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II who met Friday morning with Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders to stress the urgency of resolving the Vikings' decadelong pursuit of a replacement for the Metrodome. ''There were no implied threats or any threats at all,'' Goodell said. ''What we talked about is the importance of creating a solution here that works for the team, that works for the community. This isn't a new issue. It's been discussed here for several years. I think the legislative leaders and the governor understand the time is now.'' Source: Associated Press
Minnesota fans better be counting their blessings that Goodell showed up and laid it out for them. The Vikings already have one foot out the door and another year waiting for a deal would have been the final nail in the coffin.
