More details are emerging on the agreement announced today between the state, Minneapolis and the Minnesota Vikings to build a $975 million stadium on the downtown Metrodome site. Here are a few of the morsels contained in the term statement released Thursday:

-- The new stadium would have a fixed roof, with an option to go retractable "without any increase to the funding provided by state or city." That would seem to suggest that if the Vikings want a retractable roof, they'd have to pay for it.

-- No word on what kind of fixed roof it would be, but chances are it won't be another fiberglass bubble like the one that's covered the Metrodome for 30 years; that stadium design went out years ago.

-- It would have 65,000 seats -- expandable to 72,000 for big events like the Super Bowl -- and include about 150 suites and 7,500 club seats.

-- A new parking ramp would be built north of the stadium, on property already owned by the Wilf family, connected to the stadium by a skyway; an underground ramp to the west may be connected by tunnel.

-- The current Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission would dissolve and be replaced by a new stadium commission with five members, three appointed by the governor and two by Minneapolis, to own and operate the stadium on the public's behalf.

-- The Vikings have exclusive rights to bring Major League Soccer to the new stadium within five years of its opening, and the team could play there without paying additional rent. "The team intends to actively evaluate pursuing an MLS franchise," the term sheet says.

-- The Vikings would be able to use the stadium for up to 10 dates each year for non-NFL or professional soccer events, such as an NFL draft party, without paying additional rent.

-- The stadium hasn't yet been designed, but stadium commissioner Ted Mondale said one model is Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a downtown stadium that hosted this year's Super Bowl. Lucas Oil is used throughout the term sheet as an example of minimal operating standards that would be applied to the Minneapolis stadium.

-- The Vikings would have the right to sell the naming rights and collect the revenue for it, but the stadium authority will be able to approve or reject the name to ensure it doesn't cause embarrassment. That means no "sexually explicit subject matter, business or enterprise or any firearms, or tobacco company."

-- Yes, Purple People, the new stadium would have space set aside -- perhaps a small, hushed amphitheater with a spotlight on Fran Tarkenton's helmet -- for a Vikings Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

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