Recent content from Mike Kaszuba
Thriving leagues offer glimpse of futbol's future in Minnesota
Liga La Zapata, a Richfield soccer league, has more than 100 teams, each with at least 13 players, and few of the participants follow the local major sports teams as passionately as the sport they play.
Amid a year of turmoil, NFL shows it still has strength
Not only is Adrian Peterson back in a Vikings uniform after his suspension for whipping his child, but the NFL is back and seemingly as popular as ever after an offseason of problems away from the field.
Pohlad family, owners of Twins, builds up around Target Field
The Twins' owners are building a strong lineup around their star, Target Field. Although their developer, United Properties, seemed slow to realize the ballpark's ability to launch nearby development, the company has since made up for lost time.
Teague's departure should have little impact on U's facilities plan
University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler said: "I believe our donors are giving to an athletic village program for the University of Minnesota. They were not giving to an athletic village program for Norwood Teague."
Local stadiums' naming rights yield cash and secrecy
The University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium, which opened in 2009, is the only recent example of a naming rights agreement that was made public.
Could Twin Cities land a women's pro soccer team, too?
Women's soccer league commissioner Jeff Plush called Minneapolis "a fantastic market.''
Soccer stadium could land in St. Paul, MLS executive says
Two sites reportedly in the mix are near Snelling and University avenues, where a former Metro Transit bus barn stood, and near the State Capitol where a Sears store now sits.
Local owners expected to ask MLS to extend stadium deadline
MLS officials were mum Tuesday on what the league would do now that its July 1 deadline for stadium progress in downtown Minneapolis had arrived, or how the league would define progress.
North Minneapolis turns to past to preserve youth baseball's future
Farview Park in north Minneapolis is barely 2 miles from the Twins' $555 million Target Field, but the distance in many ways seems much farther.
MLS says it will hold United owners to July 1 soccer stadium deadline
The MLS announcement came less than three months after the league awarded Minnesota a franchise, and left the future of the franchise in doubt.
Twins' new-found winning ways have rekindled baseball interest
Fox Sports North reports that viewership was up 29 percent from April to May. The team is hopeful that attendance will rebound despite a drop in season-ticket sales last off-season.
E-mails trace pay equity dispute with Sports Facilities chair
Michelle Kelm-Helgen said dust-up reflected changes in duties with the building of the new stadium.
Sports collector clubs are fading from the landscape
The aging of enthusiasts and cultural changes have diminished interest in the hobby nationally and locally.
Mpls. negotiates MLS stadium subsidy as lawmakers adjourn
Minneapolis officials, McGuire group work toward tax freeze, but path to approval is rocky as legislative session nears close.
Boogaard still searching for answers in son's death
Former Wild player Derek Boogaard died four years ago Wednesday from a drug and alcohol overdose. But his father is continuing an often-solitary quest to find what extenuating factors might have led to his son's death.
State Rep. Phyllis Kahn proposes new MLS team be community owned
The longtime legislator has made similar unsuccessful proposals in the past (Minnesota Twins and Northwest Airlines).
Section at new Vikings stadium will target fantasy football fans
Hoping to capitalize on next week's National Football League draft — and with still more seats to sell in their new stadium — the Vikings have unveiled even more seating options.
Stadium board meeting erupts into feud over roles, salary
Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen said she felt threatened in her role, but board member denies making threat.
Stadium head Kelm-Helgen under fire by House Republicans
Gov. Mark Dayton reacted angrily after a Minnesota House committee tried to eliminate Kelm-Helgen's salary from the state budget.
Finding funding for proposed soccer stadium is complex
There are daunting obstacles to using a ballpark tax, but other avenues are possible.
McGuire's 'gut move' is bold bet on Minnesota soccer
Bill McGuire has celebrated scooting past the Vikings to land an MLS franchise.
Kelm-Helgen's stadium role duplicates Mondale's, critics say
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chair called the criticism "a big distraction." The criticism was a rare instance of the board's members arguing among themselves over the role they play with the stadium.
Not yet 10 and risking football concussions
Children are not immune from head injuries, forcing hard choices.
MLS expected to announce deal to add Minnesota expansion team
What's unknown at this time is whether Bill McGuire will reveal at the Wednesday announcement that he has finalized plans for an outdoor downtown stadium.
Empty seats in huge arenas a losing game for prep tourneys
Venue expenses have surged 55 percent in the past 10 years to about $2 million in 2013-14, according to the Minnesota State High School League. During that same span, ticket sales for all tournaments with paid admission rose about 5.2 percent.
Nonprofit paid to help with minority hiring at stadium is short of goal
So far, of the more than 800 minorities who have worked on the Vikings stadium, only 48 trained workers have been hired through Summit Academy.
United owner McGuire group has MLS backing for expansion team
Former UnitedHealth boss, with Pohlad family and Glen Taylor backing, wants to build a new soccer stadium near Target Field.
Bill McGuire keeps after MLS franchise, new soccer stadium
Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk says there's no legislative support for building the stadium.
Skyway linked to new Vikings stadium also will imperil birds, activists say
The proposed span connecting to the Vikings stadium could pose a danger, advocates say.
Longtime Twin Cities and NYC media figure David Carr dies
David Carr, a media columnist for the New York Times with deep Minnesota roots, collapsed Thursday at work and died a short time later at…
David Carr: A reconstructed life
The New York Times columnist recalls his wild years in Minnesota in a memoir that's getting critical acclaim.
Is fourth grade too early for ultracompetitive sports?
Edina has plunged into fielding fourth-grade traveling basketball teams — a trend fueled by parents, not kids. In a state where youth hockey has long held a reputation for competitiveness, youth basketball might be closing the gap.
Timberwolves' pain extends far beyond the basketball court
Though all of Minnesota's professional sports teams seem now to be stuck in neutral — or reverse — the Timberwolves in particular are struggling with relevancy.
Wilfs try to pull off comeback for their image
A year after the owners of the Vikings were hit with a $103 million civil judgment for defrauding business partners in New Jersey, Zygi Wilf and his family are trying to improve how they are viewed.
United owner: Public money might be needed for MLS stadium
In his first lengthy comments on his competition with the Vikings to bring Major League Soccer to Minnesota, Bill McGuire left open the possibility of seeking government help to build his own soccer stadium.
No. 1: Behind Adrian Peterson's perfect image lay an imperfect person
Adrian Peterson was the face of the Vikings and marketing magic, his brushes with the law and personal life ignored – until suddenly no one could look away.
Two Twin Cities proposals in play today for MLS owners to discuss
Two soccer groups are in play, but a vote is unlikely when league owners convene today.
Vikings say MLS, NFL teams would be equals in their new stadium
The Vikings' owners explained how the new stadium — now fewer than two years from opening — could morph from a 65,400-seat football stadium into a 20,000-seat soccer stadium by "curtaining" seats with large panels and advertising boards.
ESPN's 'College GameDay': Part circus, part marketing, full experience
As the visits to Fargo show, TV's football streetfest is a 1-ring circus.
McGuire-Pohlad soccer group gets big supporter in Opat
Hennepin County Board member backs faction seeking separate stadium.
Nov. 15: Mpls. lands '19 Final Four after '18 Super Bowl
The Final Four, the premier event in college basketball, will return to Minneapolis in 2019, and this time it will be played at the Minnesota Vikings' new $1 billion stadium.
Two Minnesota groups to make bids Thursday for MLS team
The Minnesota groups are vying with Sacramento and Las Vegas to become the 24th MLS franchise. The league could make its decision as early as Dec. 6.
With Adrian Peterson suspension, NFL signals a tougher stand
At the same time, the league looks to be trying to rebuild its tarnished image. "It's a brave new world," said Marshall Tanick, a Minneapolis employment lawyer.
2014 All-Star Game was a hit, but not up to the financial hype
Four months removed from the glow of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, the economic benefits that the event was supposed to bring to Minnesota appear to have shrunk.
As plea agreement talk swirls, Peterson faces court date in Texas
The star player goes to court amid questions about his legal fate and his future with sponsors and the Vikings.
Moguls vying for Major League Soccer team look at stadium sites
High-stakes development deals depend on shootout for MLS franchise.
Auditor questions destruction of notes as MSU, Mankato investigated Hoffner
Legislative auditor's report does not take sides in controversial firing of Mankato State coach Todd Hoffner but finds process troubling.
College football mystery: Why don't students go to games?
School officials insist they are chipping away at the problem and point out that student season ticket sales are up this year by more than 25 percent.
Aug. 26: Gophers football student-section forecast: More, but still not many
Even with modest increases, the U still is battling student apathy.
Child abuse trial for Adrian Peterson likely to start Dec. 1
Vikings running back enters no plea as Dec. 1 trial date hinges on the Texas prosecutors' motion for the judge to step aside.
Peterson likely to miss season; future with team in doubt
Facing a revolt by its corporate ad partners, the team abruptly reversed course Wednesday and announced the star running back had accepted a voluntary suspension — with pay — while he faces criminal charges that he beat his 4-year-old son. He is likely to miss all of the 2014 season.
Local stores pull Peterson jerseys; Dayton calls for him not to play
Fallout over the Adrian Peterson situation continued on Tuesday, with sponsors taking stands, the governor rebuking the team and an appearance by players canceled.
Adrian Peterson back on team; Vikings lose large sponsor
The Vikings star maintains he is "not a child abuser." Radisson ends sponsorship with team as second incident surfaces.
Peterson's NFL future in doubt as charges unfold
As the explosive legal case against the Vikings star running back was laid out, it left in doubt whether Peterson would play again and touched off a debate over the appropriateness of corporal punishment.
Eden Prairie's dominance in state football could face a stiff challenge
The state's preeminent program has seen a drop in youth participation that might not recover.
Charges dropped against former Wolves player Cunningham
The forward had been charged with felony domestic assault.
Part 1: Golf in Minnesota hits tough times for players, courses
The golf craze that began in the 1990s is over. The golfers are fewer and the challenges are more at Twin Cities courses.
Mankato football coach Todd Hoffner jumps back into position
It was an uphill battle to clear his name and regain his title. There have been changes, but an awkwardness remains.
Minnesota golf operators making major changes to lure players
On the links, operators are trying out innovative ways — footgolf, anyone? — to attract new players and to keep from sinking during the sport's slump.
April 18: MSU-Mankato players say they'll return to practice, play for Hoffner
Junior safety Sam Thompson said at a news conference Thursday that the team wanted to "clear up any misconception'' raised by the team's refusal to practice Wednesday in what would have been the first spring practice under Hoffner.
City gave league free rent, discounted services for All-Star FanFest
The city waived $258,850 in rental fees for the 5-day baseball enthusiast event. MLB also got steep discounts for convention center security, audiovisual rentals, vacuuming and food.
Ex-Vikings know NFL concussion deal will prompt hard choices
Critics say former Vikings All-Pro linebacker Matt Blair is typical of many of the 20,000 former NFL players who will be asked to endorse the plan: They will have to decide whether to accept it before knowing whether they will ever get a dime from it.
Sept. 5, 2013: Ex-regulator got job at track she oversaw
Racing Commission must now ensure the industry's ethics.
Sept. 16, 2012: The truth behind Wally Hilgenberg's death
Wally Hilgenberg's family gave his brain for research in Boston. What they've learned has made them uneasy with a sport central to their lives.
Striking out on All-Star tickets? Go (relatively) cheap
Local baseball fans may have to bypass the main game at Target Field on July 15 or get less-desirable seating.
Baseball lessons: The Boys of Bryant Square Park
Boys of all backgrounds learn America's pastime in south Minneapolis. The 81 youth baseball teams in Minneapolis this summer are an eight-year low.
2014: NFL had a long, pricey and secret Super Bowl wish list for Minneapolis
The National Football League had a long and expensive list of confidential requests before it awarded the 2018 Super Bowl to Minneapolis.
Taylor: NBA market is boosting value of Timberwolves
Multiple sales and a deep pool of buyers are part of the reason for the increased value of the Timberwolves, owner Glen Taylor said.
Minneapolis hopes 2018 Super Bowl leads to bigger things
After Super Bowl, more high profile events to be sought.
NHL concussion suit has movie 'Slap Shot' straddling a fine line
A lawsuit filed by Jack Carlson and eight others is the latest of several legal attempts to link NHL violence to head injuries.
Wilf deal to park Dome dirt solves stadium dilemma – for a tidy sum
Officials said the deal could save as much as $1 million in construction costs, but also concede that it included a potential PR headache: the Wilfs, who were already getting significant public subsidies for the new Vikings stadium, won't have to pay property taxes on the former parking lots while the dirt is stored there.
Mankato school officials ask state to review actions in Hoffner case
The president of Minnesota State University-Mankato has asked the state's Legislative Auditor to review the process school officials used to deal with head football coach Todd Hoffner.
Arbitrator criticizes MSU-Mankato in his report
An arbitrator's 72-page report regarding the case of coach Todd Hoffner harshly admonished the school for its actions.
Wed.: MSU-Mankato players refuse to practice
Instead of practicing with returning coach Todd Hoffner, players issued a statement proclaiming allegiance to interim coach Aaron Keen.
In college hoops, ESPN often has the ultimate say
ESPN had an idea for a showpiece college basketball game, and the way it was pieced together provides a glimpse of how the cable giant can control college sports.
