Hartman: Dayton still expects stadium to be built

Speaking about the status of the new Vikings football stadium and the legal issues that the Wilf family, owners of the Vikings, are dealing with in New Jersey, Governor Mark Dayton said that the legal problems should not keep the stadium from being built.

"I think that is extremely unlikely," Dayton said. "Anything is possible, but I think we'll have a stadium built."

The governor also said he hasn't talked to the Wilfs about the problem that has developed over the past few weeks.

"It depends on what the facts show, but I hope it shows it was an unusual situation and not [their] usual way of doing business, but the facts will speak for themselves," Dayton said.

Also when talking about the problem facing the Wilfs at present Dayton said that the NFL is taking a neutral position right now.

"They obviously are supportive of the Wilfs, as they are of the other owners, but I think it's a case now where the investigative auditors need to go in and make sure that the people of Minnesota got a square deal," he said. "And the representations were accurate and honest, and we have a basis for going ahead together. They own the Vikings, so we don't have a choice of who we're dealing with in this situation."

There is some concern that the legal problem facing the Wilfs could delay the start of construction and thereby alter the date the stadium would be ready. The stadium is currently set to open in 2015.

Dayton said he has talked to a couple of judges here who said they've never heard one making the kind of comments that Federal Judge Deanne Wilson made about the conduct of the Wilfs, using phrases such as "civil fraud," "racketeering" and "evil motives."

"I mean, that's concerning," said the governor. "And we need to do our due diligence and make sure we're going to be protected. But as I said, on the other hand they own the Minnesota Vikings. We have to deal with them. There is no one else to deal with."

Still the governor said that he's remaining optimistic that the legal troubles in New Jersey won't affect the building of the Vikings stadium.

"We'll get the stadium built," he said. "I can't have you mad at me for the next year and a half. As I said, I think it would be extremely unlikely that it's not [built]. But I've learned in this line of work to never rule anything out."

Dayton is excited about the proposal that Ryan Companies has made to develop a gigantic section on the east side of downtown.

"So this stadium is going to anchor that eastern part of Minneapolis — which is pretty dilapidated now. This is going to show why the stadium, in addition to keeping the Vikings in Minnesota, is worth everyone's support, because it's about jobs in Minnesota. And that's just the first; that will trigger other projects. It will be a total transformation of that area."

Does Dayton believe that the Vikings could be moved if the stadium deal were to blow up because of the Wilfs' legal issues?

"If the Vikings move I'll probably have to move to Bolivia or Argentina or something. I certainly want them to succeed, I want them to stay in Minnesota and have a great season. I want to see a Super Bowl victory before I pass on. I lived through those four agonizing Super Bowl experiences. I want one more crack at it."

The Vikings owners had to show a solid financial statement to be allowed to buy the Vikings. Once they show that they have $477 million available, which is their share of the cost of building the stadium, you would think that the legal problems they are facing in New Jersey would have no effect on starting construction of the stadium.

"There is no question that Ra'Shede Hageman is a phenomenon when it comes to his size, strength and speed," Gophers football coach Jerry Kill said when asked how he looks at his defensive tackle.

"I think our whole defensive line has improved. Part of that has been because of Ra'Shede's hard work and his attitude. He has had a great, great summer and a great camp. So we look forward to continuing to watch his progress, because if he does what he needs to do and plays well, he's one class away from graduating and it's a good story. There's no question about that."

• Apple Valley standout Tyus Jones was named one of four MVPs for the Under Armour Elite 24 basketball game held in New York City on Saturday.

• One of the late additions to the UNLV football roster this year is Jerry Rice Jr., the son of the Hall of Fame wide receiver. Rice Jr. played at UCLA last season, catching seven passes for 52 yards, but transferred to UNLV two weeks ago and he will be eligible to play against the Gophers. His father told the Las Vegas Sun that "at UCLA he got some chances, and whenever he got on the football field, he showed what he can do. I feel like he can help this team."

• Eric Decker played his first major minutes of the preseason for the Broncos on Saturday night and didn't disappoint, leading the team with 66 yards on six catches.

• Former Viking Randy Moss has been getting great reviews for his work as an analyst for Fox Sports 1, but Moss told Sports Illustrated writer Richard Deitsch that he doesn't want to be considered a member of the sports media.