Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said the decision to not go through with the proposed purchase of several parking lots from the Star Tribune for $45 million doesn't have any bearing on any future decision to move the Vikings. The Vikings' Metrodome lease expires in 2011.
"We had 120 days to do due diligence on the properties and decided to concentrate on getting a new stadium built rather than developing this area for other means," Wilf said. "We already own three parking lots in the stadium area that we purchased some time ago and are in the process of trying to buy the parking ramp adjacent to the Metrodome."
Wilf also said the economy and the poor housing market played a part in the decision.
The Vikings are lagging in tickets sales, with tickets still available for normally sold-out Packers and Bears games. But Wilf was optimistic the games will sell out like they have in the past and there will be no blackouts.
The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission is in the process of having a study done on the possibility of improving the Metrodome for football, and also to learn how a new stadium might fit on the same property.
However, the result of that survey will not be revealed until after a special session of the Legislature, if there is one.
You want my opinion? I believe the Wilfs have cooled a little bit on the area because they were ignored in their first bid for a stadium while the Twins and Gophers were successful.
However, after spending time with Zygi Wilf on Wednesday night, I'm convinced more than ever that they will somehow find a way to get the stadium built and, at least at the present time, they don't have any intention of moving the franchise.
Bruett is good choice
In the next 24 hours, University of Minnesota General Counsel Mark Rotenberg will interview J.T. Bruett, who has been serving as interim Gophers compliance director since the death of Frank Kara. Bruett has been recommended for the job by athletic director Joel Maturi and practically every coach in the women's and men's athletic department.
Rotenberg has the authority to hire the compliance director, who will report directly to him.
Memo to Rotenberg: You will not find a more qualified man for the job. In the time he has spent as Kara's replacement, Bruett has proven he is capable of handling the job. You don't need a search committee to fill this position.
Foe is an unknown
The Gophers football coaches don't know what to expect when the team faces Bowling Green on Saturday.
"This summer we did a four-game scouting report on Bowling Green," coach Tim Brewster said. "We studied them extensively. They have a new offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator. So what we think they might do, they might not do. We've got to do a great job of making game-time adjustments on the sidelines. We've got to look and see exactly what is going on and we've got to adjust. And I think we will do a great job of that. Our coaching staff is outstanding."
Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi, in response to Brewster's suggestion that the Gophers schedule teams like UCLA and Texas said, "We've already upgraded the schedule playing teams like California, and in the future Colorado and others, and we will continue to play at least one top opponent every season."
The Gophers are expecting a crowd of 40,000 for Saturday's game. The season ticket sale of 35,000 to date will be the biggest in some 20 years.
The Gophers expect to have as many as 25 possible recruits from Florida attend the Florida Atlantic game on Sept. 15.
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