The state will be paying Gov. Mark Dayton's way to this weekend's Super Bowl in the New York area, Dayton's spokesman said
"He's going out there to bring the Super Bowl back to Minnesota," Swenson said. The costs to the state will include lodging and Dayton's flights. Swenson said the governor considers the trip official business. Swenson said Dayton will not be attending the game itself.
While there, Dayton will have a private meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The Minnesota steering committee will also have a tour of the events around this weekend's Super Bowl and the Vikings will host a party.
"The Vikings are hosting a Minnesota reception Saturday, which will be attended by the governor, the commissioner of the NFL, Vikings ownership, Vikings front office, a number of business and community leaders, our steering community, a number of current and former players," said Lester Bagley, a Vikings vice president. The state is not expected to pay anything for that event.
Private interested are expected to raise tens of millions of dollars if Minnesota gets the 2018 Super Bowl. Asked if the donors' names would be released to the public, Richard Davis, chairman of U.S. Bankcorp and co-chair of the Minnesota Super Bowl effort, said: "Absolutely, it will be visible."
