The Star Tribune has a new article that's one of the best looks at the real development that needs to be done to make the stadium a reality, found here. The Star Trib's editorial board also weighed in on the matter, calling the stadium plan "a gift" to the city of Minneapolis.
It's weird that MNUTD would come out and say "this stadium is happening and we are paying for it" only for it to be really "this is probably happening but we need some tax breaks & infrastructure commitments".
Im not so sure its weird. Now if they were coming out and saying they wanted city taxes to subsidize the stadium, obviously that would have been dead man walking. Asking for infrastructure help in an area that is marked for revitalization anyway I don't think is a big ask, in fact quite appropriate in a "you scratch my back I scratch yours" relationship. the City Council of Minnesota would be dumb to pass that up. I mean they could, but I think/hope cooler heads prevail and realize this is a great opportunity to be had for the city. They should be happy a 100 percent private funded stadium is coming into the area and that all they are asking for is infrastructure and tax breaks.
Pretty much this. They're building the stadium. They just want a bump in the process. I used to tailgate over there for Gopher football and it was a shit hole. It's been drastically improved now with Target Field and will only get better. Is the money important now or is positive benefits long term for downtown better?
It's not weird to ask for help it's just that they said "we got this, it's happening" when in reality it's not a done deal. Hopefully the politicos and taxpayers fall in line.
I have talked to a former legislature and asked if the state, city or county are stupid enough to give up a free privately built $ 150 million dollar stadium? He said no, this is all just posturing. Don't be surprised if the club plays a season or two in the Twins stadium or the club could bring in an additional 10k seats until the stadium is being built. Don't be fooled into thinking the club doesn't have options or MLS decides to pull the franchise from the United group. It may take time but this is a done deal.
^^^ This. Dayton goes from "not one dime" to "well, infrastructure is something we'll look at" to "the taxpayers will be pleasantly surprised by the private-public money ratio"... Bakk goes from "Dear Commisioner Garber, don't even bother showing up to ask..." to "this request seems quite reasonable..." I expect Hodges will quietly say something similar in another month or so...
It's just a long process. Either way this ownership group doesn't come all this way only to lose a MLS franchise. This is a done deal. The loons either start in 2018 or 2017 depending on LAFC.
Interesting article (kinda old) I came across. Not sure if it had been posted anywhere else. https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/minnesota-disunited-the-fight-over-an-mls-stadium-in-Minneapolis
This article doesn't paint a pretty picture and it is definitely how I have perceived the situation to be. Team was awarded with no stadium plan finalized. I thought MLS was past those days. I thought they learned their lesson with Miami and NYCFC (now even Orlando who had finalized stadium plans is hitting road blocks), but I guess not. I hope it works out. I really like this ownership group, but I am afraid this will drag on for years.
Seriously, Joe...trust those of us who live here. Things are quiet. That's good. That means more things are quietly moving behind the scenes. The Minneapolis City Council can override any decision made by the mayor. They were pretty close to having those votes about the time this article came out three weeks ago. This thing is getting done. It's getting done before Miami, before NYCFC, and before LAFC, for that matter.
Yeah as much as some people in Govt want to throw a hissy fit; this stadium deal is too good to pass up. Something will get worked out.
Last I heard there are more votes closer to saying yes to override the mayors vote. Who knows she may come to her senses and say yes. Ha. I doubt it.
I should also point out if the stadium deal does not get done this year it likely will get done sometime this year or next year with the city, county or state legislature. All is not lost if they don't strike a deal before the deadline.
you guys are sitting much prettier than Miami, and LA 2 for that matter. you guys have nothing to wrry about.
Totally. MLS really wanted to be in the midwest and if St. Louis can get their "act" together they will likely follow the Twin Cities in the years to come. MLS has every region taken care of but the midwest.
i got St Louis in the 27-28 region, in with Indy if all goes well. Sac/Miami 24/25 and San Antonio 26 Then Id like to see something in Carolina, south could use one more good solid team down there, maybe even Jacksonville who is pulling well. all about that that owner and stadium tho. hell id be completely content if Jacksonville got the team over Miami, i think itd make more sense
So how's the stadium funding issue going to play out? Haven't kept up on the latest Minny news, but came across this article by chance: http://www.startribune.com/minneapo...y-as-lawmakers-close-to-adjourning/304175611/
So can we get an update on the whole Minnesota joining in 2017 instead of 2018? Whats the chances of each? @4four4 @Bluecat82
I'll fit in squirts of info between conference calls here (yes, I am expected to work on occasion) The club came out a while ago - several months, in fact - and said 2016 was going to be the last one in the NASL...leading to all kinds of speculation what was going down for 2017, knowing the Loon Palace...wherever it was going to be built, and far from certain at the time this came out...wouldn't be ready until 2018.
Part 2: Last week there was a podcast with Dr. McGuire (posted on the epic Minnesota announcement thread under News and Analysis) where he stated that he's asked the league if they could start in 2017, and the ball was in their (MLS's) court. Which of course, still begs the question...where would they play in 2017? I think the official word will come after MLS Cup. If I was putting money down in Vegas, I'd say 2017. Of course, if I was any good at putting money down in Vegas, I wouldn't be providing these posts between conference calls for my day job, so consider that.
We keep hearing 2017 but 2018 wouldn't be out of left field. Since, United is currently in the NASL it's best for them to leave ASAP. We can already see the league not doing the club any favors like scheduling, voting on awards etc.
Thanks to both of you. It seems that MLS might want pairs to come in and Minnesota seem to be the last hope to get someone to come in with Atlanta in 2017. Not that its essential that they come in together. I assume they would play at Target Field in 17?