Sid Hartman: Wilf's decision on land not tied to moving team

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.

Jottings

There is only one thing that could stop the construction of the Twins' new stadium and that is a potential lawsuit from citizen Leslie Davis, who is involved in environmental issues. But he would have to put up a big bond and that isn't likely to be available.

Twins President Dave St. Peter looks for the Twins to draw at least 2.3 million even if the team goes into a slump. ... Forget about a new Gophers baseball park until the Gophers football stadium gets built because the new park would be built near the new football stadium. The Board of Regents or the Gophers athletic department will budget some money in the near future to upgrade Siebert Field.

Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith is the president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, who are holding a meeting in Kansas City this week. ... Former Gophers pitcher Cole DeVries has been invited to the Instructional League, as has former Gopher Reid Mahon, who is with the Arizona Diamondbacks. ... Gophers pitching coach Todd Oakes recently visited with former Gopher John Gaub, who has pitched five times since undergoing surgery on his arm. Gaub has told Oakes his arm has come around. ... Gophers assistant hockey coach Mike Guentzel was at Notre Dame last week helping his son Ryan get enrolled and ready to play hockey for the Irish as a freshman. His younger son, Gabe, will play for Sioux Falls in the USHL.

Ben Revere, the Twins' first-round draft choice who is hitting over .300 for the Elizabethton Twins, has been named the minor league player of the week.

Gophers wide receiver Eric Decker has the blessing of Brewster to be a member of the baseball team next spring. Gophers coach John Anderson said he considers Decker a draftable player.

Mark LeVoir, the former Eden Prairie and Notre Dame offensive lineman, is with the Bears and saw a lot of action the other night in a victory over the Indianapolis Colts. ... And at Denver, the Broncos' starting offensive line could include three former local residents in the future. They are former Gophers Ben Hamilton and Greg Eslinger and former Cretin-Derham Hall and Notre Dame standout Ryan Harris. Hamilton has been sidelined because of a concussion. ... Greg Pruitt, who was a Gopher for one year, is now with the Ravens.

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on WCCO AM-830 at 6:40, 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. and on his Podcast twice a week at www.startribune.com/sidcast. shartman@startribune.com