By Baird Helgeson
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf told Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday that next year would be the right time for a new stadium deal, a team spokesman said.
Wilf cited a number of factors, including growing legislative support, union backing and low interest rates, said Lester Bagley, the team's vice president of public affairs and stadium development.
The Vikings see "a coalescing of constituencies," Bagley said. "From our perspectives, there's good momentum going into 2010."
Bagley had an upbeat take on Wilf's hour-long meeting at the governor's residence.
"Mr. Wilf and the governor had a good, wide-ranging discussion," he said. "It was very positive."
Vikings officials have begun their public push for a new stadium, preferably with a retractable roof. The Vikings have said they won't play in the Metrodome after the lease expires in 2011.
The Vikings and the governor didn't offer many other details about the meeting. Pawlenty and Wilf didn't discuss a specific stadium plan, Bagley said.
