The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission and the Vikings want the same thing: A state-subsidized football stadium that can host other large-scale events.
But the Vikings, piqued by the commission's attempt last month to extend their Metrodome lease, still won't meet with their landlords.
On Thursday, the commission will release a report that outlines how Minnesota professional sports teams have generated more than $450 million in tax revenues since 1961, and how the vast majority of that money has gone to the state of Minnesota.
The report, essentially an update of an analysis done two years ago by consultants RSM McGladrey of Minneapolis, is part of the commission's effort to make the case to skeptical taxpayers that public investment in a new multipurpose facility to house the Vikings would pay big dividends in the end.
Because the same report will suggest that the state has lagged behind other local governments in financing pro sports facilities, the commission wants to make it clear that it's high time for the state to step up and run with the ball.
"The state has been the huge beneficiary" of pro sports, while it has all too often "been missing on the help side" in terms of supporting the arenas that make pro sports possible, Commissioner Paul Thatcher said at a committee meeting Tuesday.
The commission this week also will roll out artist renderings of a $954 million multipurpose facility -- that is, a football stadium with a roof -- designed by HKS Architects for the Metrodome site. The commission paid $2.5 million for the design work by HKS, the firm the Vikings recommended.
Despite all that, Vikings officials still refuse to meet with the commission.
