When I was writing my “Behind the Lockout” series on the NFL labor dispute, a few folks took issue with my criticizing a “private” business, especially when I supported the players’ demands for the league to open its books. Well, if the NFL is a “private business,” then we may have to abandon our support for capitalism. Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post describes just the latest example of the NFL’s true nature:
Consider how Minnesota Vikings owner Zygmunt Wilf is treating the residents who support him. For months he has been insinuating that unless he gets enough public funding for a new stadium, he may move the team to Los Angeles.
Under the latest proposal favored by the Vikings, Minnesotans would pony up $650 million so Wilf can have a new $1 billion palace in the Arden Hills suburb of St. Paul. Ramsey County would get hit with a $350 million tab via a sales tax increase. The state, which is facing a $5 billion budget shortfall, would contribute another $300 million. The Vikings would contribute $407 million, but would pay no rent at all, and would get all revenues from the stadium, including parking, signage and naming rights. What a deal for the public.
That’s not all. The county would be on the hook for $1.5 million a year in operating expenses; the Vikings would be exempt from any state sales taxes on the building materials; and the state would be required to make improvements to roads and infrastructure that could cost $240 million more.
The Vikings and their allies are hoping to shove this monstrosity down the throat of residents without a public vote, knowing full well they don’t want it. According to a Minneapolis Star Tribune poll, 75 percent of residents oppose using any public money for a stadium. Governor Mark Dayton has expressed reservations, and a group of county residents who object to a “Vikings Tax” are trying to force a public referendum.
After researching and writing on this topic for a few months now, I’ve concluded the NFL should be treated as a government agency. It is a private business in name only. In form and substance — from the “commissioner” to its government-funded developmental system — it is a creature of the state.
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You should write a piece with in-depth analysis and details about all the lies the Vikings stadium supporters are using. These people almost make me vomit when I hear them speak. I can never find the article but I think the Star tribune did a piece on how much money sports teams bring into Minnesota…I think it was like 245 million if you combine all of the sports teams over their whole life. That includes the Twins, North Stars, Wild, Timber Puppies, and vikings.
This billion dollar plus boondoggle is outrageous. Keep in mind as bad as the vikings are they will only be using it for 10 games a year (8 regular season & 2 pre-season). Making the tax payers not only fund most of the stadium and get no return on their investment is one thing, but I find it despicable they want to build it where no transportation infrastructure exists.
Professional sports has enough of a revenue stream to be able to sell bonds and fund their own cathedral construction.
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