The Metrodome's time in the Minneapolis Skyline has been sunsetting for a while...
As the Vikings are arming themselves for their home game tomorrow against Detroit, we as fans should be arming ourselves to take our message to the streets! I have outlined 10 ways you can counteract the most common objections you hear.
Additionally, I have listed 10 inexpensive things you can do to help in the cause in a short amount of time!
Top 10 defensive strategies to make friends out of the opposition:
1. Let the Vikings leave, what do I care?
The simple answer is this: When the Vikings leave, so do $20-25 million dollars in tax revenue. Where do you think the State of Minnesota is going to recoup that loss of tax revenue? Either through more cuts or increased taxes.
2. Why should we put that money towards a stadium when we need more money for Education, Healthcare, Welfare, etc?
In a time when the State is already stretched thin, they should be looking at places to invest dollars that have a return on investment (ROI) and can turn a profit. Through increased ticket prices, more seating, merchandise tax, increased ticket tax and people spending less time in line at the bathrooms they can spend more with concessions.
3. I don’t want to drive to Anoka to see the team!
The Anoka deal is off the table and has been for some time. Currently efforts are being made to try and make this happen at the site the Metrodome is at. There are benefits to that. You can save a large amount of the cost by reusing existing infrastructure that is already in place at the dome. You can build a light-rail transit center under the new stadium to minimize traffic in and out of downtown on game days, keep pollution down and provide a cost effective alternative to the expense of parking.
4. Why can’t we finance this privately like other cities?
Here is a fact you won’t hear anywhere else. Most other stadiums are not built with private financing. In those instances, the owners sell what are called “seat licenses”. My friend Bob in Philadelphia pays over $1500 dollars in licensing fees. What he gets for that is “the right” to buy tickets. Our market cannot sustain that.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys generated over $400 million dollars in licensing fees through selling suites. In order for us to do that we have to build a ton of corporate suites that this market cannot sustain and would drive the cost of the stadium up exponentially. Guess what? The Cowboys also received over $300 million in tax dollars toward the building of the stadium. L.A. will be selling seat licenses to fund that and corporate suite sales. The public should prefer a fan experience that caters to the average citizen, not just the financially elite. Minneapolis is not L.A. or NY.
The stadium is a public facility. It would be used for other things like Sr. High School state football tournaments. Colleges use the dome currently for their athletics during transitional seasons. The public plays recreational football at the dome. We could use the stadium for concerts, events, Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, etc. It isn’t just a Minnesota Vikings facility, its a public facility.
5. Why don’t they just keep playing in the dome?
If you lived in a 3 bedroom townhouse that you have outgrown due to children, cars, working out of home, etc. you would move when your lease ended. The Vikings are no different. They have outgrown the facility. People are waiting 20 minutes or longer in line for the bathroom! Concession lines span so far out into the hallways that people can’t get through. Concessions can’t take money as fast as people want to spend it. The technology, seats, roof, communications and locker room of the Metrodome is outdated and prohibits the fans from an enjoyable experience and the team from being competitively profitable with other NFL teams.
The lease is up the end of the 2011-2012 season. We then have no contractual enforcement to keep the team here. In addition, the NFL can strong arm the team into leaving by pinching them between the public and the Legislature by contracting the team and moving them.
6. Why should I pay a millionaire Zygi Wilf 700 Million dollars?
If there is one argument that is the pinnacle of ignorance, it is this one. If you really believe the State would be writing a check directly to Zygi Wilf, then I have some real estate in Dubai I would like to sell you.
A stadium is not something you can pick up and move. It belongs to the State. You can enter into a joint venture contract which is done in business everyday. If we the State invest in a stadium, we want a contract that keeps the team here. You insert a clause that states if he somehow moves the team, he is financially penalized and the investment by the State is then paid back, out of pocket by the team.
I am not a CPA or a tax attorney, but simple financial logic says that putting $700 million onto your income statement makes you responsible for an astronomical tax burden.
Just like any business, an NFL team has overhead. Unlike McComb’s, Zygi has invested every cent possible allowed under the salary cap to produce a competitive team. If you want to argue why player salaries are so high, reach out to Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL. It is what it is, and to have a competitive team, you have to pay competitive salaries.
If you want a competitive team, Zygi needs to keep reinvesting in his business. He does not have the net worth to fund this on his own when you subtract operational cost.
7. Why don’t the players pay for it?
NFL has another well known meaning: Not For Long
The average NFL running back lasts 3 years in the league. Players are traded, injured, and do not get a financial return on the profit made by the team. Their salaries are negotiated with in the terms of the Collective Bargaining agreement. This is available to the public via the NFL Players Union (NFLPA) on www.nflplayers.com. I welcome you to read through the 361 page document and try to find a loophole that would even allow the players to pay for it, should they desire.
8. Where would the Vikings play in the interim?
While nothing formal has been announced or committed to, logistically the Vikings could play at the TCF Bank Stadium in the interim. TCF Bank Stadium has the largest locker room of any facility in the nation. Unfortunately it wouldn’t be a viable option long term as the U of M has other uses for it, seating capacity, etc. but it could be a good short term option.
9. I live in Minneapolis/Hennepin County and don’t want to be the only people taxed!
And you shouldn’t! This is a team that has fans across the state, into the Dakota’s and IA. You should not have a tax on one zone of the city/county that the whole state benefits from.
Great news, nobody is advocating that you should! Unlike the deal with the Twins, you have everything to gain economically, and nothing to lose as an individual community of a larger state.
10. Can’t we find other ways to pay for it and minimize tax burden?
Absolutely! Who likes taxes? I pay a ridiculous amount of taxes as do you. There are ideas out there that can minimize the burden on the tax paying citizen. If you go to http://facebook.savethevikes.org I have a discussion forum where people have thought of some creative ideas to help fund this.
Samplings of those are:
-Fast food tax
-Open liquor stores on Sundays and use the tax generated on those days
-Racino/dedicated slot machines in Native American casino’s that have a stadium tax
-Merchandise tax on Viking apparel
-Increase the ticket tax on tickets sold
-Concession tax increase at the game
-Scratch off lottery tickets
If we can get the State Legislature into a room with the Vikings, we can discuss the viability of these options.
10 things you can do to go on the offense to help get a stadium deal done:
1. Emailing your State leaders
The easiest and most effective thing to do is email your State Representatives/Senators/Governor. It worked for the Twins; it can work for the Vikes! By clicking on www.SavetheVikes.org/huddle-up/ you can find your rep and copy and paste a prewritten letter into your web editor. It takes about 5 clicks in less then 5 minutes! My goal is to flood the Legislature’s inbox with emails from Vikings fans! If we have them so inundated with emails, they will be forced to work with the team to take control of their inbox again. Email early, email them often!
2. Not all viruses are bad!
Viral marketing. Most of us have heard the term. How many of you are playing Mafia War’s on Facebook? (I’m not, I refuse.) Your friends were doing it on Facebook, next thing you know you’re curious why your friends are being awarded knives and a traceless cell phone. That is a perfect example of viral marketing.
Fan us on Facebook and share on your profile. Repost links from articles, websites, etc related to the stadium drive. The more you do this, the more curiosity it builds. The more it builds, the more your friends will see that all their friends are in on it. Who want’s to be left out? That is viral marketing. Tweet us on Twitter, Link up on LinkedIn and friend us on MySpace! Remember, share with your friends, and invite them to join!
Social networking sites not your thing? Email everyone you know the following link www.SavetheVikes.org/huddle-up/ and ask them to email their Reps/Senators/Governor. It takes about 5 clicks in less then 5 minutes!
3. Old is new again
Still have that dusty old Chris Hovan Jersey hanging in your closet because you’re too embarrassed to wear it? (Anybody else remember when he was cool, and obnoxious face paint for that matter?) Friends giving you crap about getting a new jersey? Kill 2 Eagles/Falcons/Ravens with one stone! Pull it out, dust it off and bring it up to your local sports store. For $15 dollars a jersey, I had “SavetheVikes.org” put over the players’ name! Wear it to the game day parties, wear it to the game! Wear it on a plane, and on a train. In a box, with a… you get the idea.
For $15 each, I had these old jerseys made into walking billboards!
4. Approach a stranger
Looking to strike up a conversation with that cute girl/guy at the gym? Talk to them about SavetheVikes.org and what YOU’RE doing to further the cause! I pass people in the skyways and on the street all the time wearing Vikings jackets, shirts, hats etc. Whenever possible I take the time to tell them about the effort. It is an effort of INCLUSION. Share the news and make a stranger an advocate.
5. Put a face on this campaign
Mark your calendar! December 3rd, from 3-6 we will be unifying at the Capitol to show our support for the Vikings and the need for the State Legislature to immediately begin engaging the Vikings and the public in discussions on how to get a stadium deal done! Make arrangements for the kids, or even bring the kids! Request to leave work early now, make arrangements to stop by the Capitol after work. Invite friend’s, family and neighbors.
6. Make yourself official
We will be posting card templates on the website this week that you can have printed and hand out at the games, in the neighborhood, at school, the union hall, office, job site, church, gym, scrap booking club, knitting club or whatever club it is you belong to.
7. Get learned!
Educate yourself on the issues so you can speak intelligently. I have yet to get an objection that I didn’t have a concrete answer for, because I have taken the time to educate myself on the issues. Here at SavetheVikes.org you have a centralized place to get your information and answers. On our Facebook page facebook.savethevikes.org group members can start discussion threads. It’s a great place to ask questions and start collaborating on ideas.
For most of us Vikings fans, keeping an NFL team here is enough. Others may need a different angle to see the benefit. Environmentalist? Talk about how we can build a light rail transit center under the stadium. As light rail transit expands, we can reduce traffic in and out of the city on game days. It reduces environmental and noise pollution. Concerned about funding for education/healthcare/welfare, etc? When the team leaves, so does 25 million in tax revenue. In addition the city of Minneapolis will be burdened with the expense of running the Metrodome as they lost their largest and only tenant. And how do you suppose the state will replenish that 25 million dollar tax revenue loss? By raising your taxes of course! Perhaps you’re a capitalist like me? Then talk about the return on investment of a new stadium. Bring up that it will pay for itself and then some.
8. Agree to disagree
Football is a violent sport. Let’s keep the violence on the field. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t received any hate mail. It’s tempting to take the bait, but that isn’t where my time is well spent. Now if someone wants to DEBATE the issue, then that is different. If someone is open to making their points and listening to your point’s, here is your chance to create another advocate. But trust me when I say, some people simply won’t be convinced. Don’t take the bait, take the high road.
Agree to disagree and put your efforts where they will make an impact.
9. Work your network
Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody. Work your network to help the cause. This whole website was done by friends and my network. When I don’t know how to do something, I reach out to my network to find somebody who does. I would challenge you to analyze your network from top to bottom to see if there are people you know that can help advance this cause.
10. Be proactive
Identified those in your network that can add value to the cause? Reach out! Contact me; contact the state, the team, whoever can leverage it for the ultimate goal, getting a stadium! I’ve had several people approach me with ideas, strategies and suggestions I could have never come up on my own.
Be proactive, be involved. This is a campaign of INCLUSION! Skol Vikings!
-Cory Merrifield
Founder and author of SavetheVikes.org. Born and raised in MN, Cory has been a lifelong Vikings fan. Season ticket holder, stop by and see him in section 218! cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org 
BUILD THE STADIUM!!!!
BUILD IT…AND THEY WILL COME.
I applaud what you are doing, and I will do whatever I can to get involved and help solve this problem!
Hey guys . . . the prospect of losing the Vikings is unacceptable. We saw what happened to the NorthStars. It’s still stinging, despite the fact that we now have the Wild. That move was a mistake, we learned from it, and now we DO have the Wild. Losing the Vikings would be a bigger one because another team MAY not want to come here. Let’s do all we can!
Hi Folks!
I applaud what you are doing here….This truly is representative of the power of the people who care as well as the power of the internet! I am sure there are other sites/people having the same concerns as we do (Vikes leave for greener as in dollars pastures), and using some of the venues you mention, we can get a good discussion going and finally get some action to get this stadium built!
As an expat who commutes between Dubai and Germany, I can attest to the fact that an investment in a stadium is a very good one for the people of MN and will enable us to keep a tradition alive and well – the Vikings! I mention this based on your comment reference buying real estate in Dubai…Tremendous bubble burst here…Your money would be better spent almost anywhere, but ESPECIALLY on something that is going to give back for the next generations, as keeping the Vikings in MN will!
Although no longer a resident(grew up in Int’l Falls)of that proud state, I still have a lot of ties there (family, friends, and sport teams like the Vikings, Twins, etc.)….I serve as an “ambassador at large” I guess LOL! Never miss an opportunity to explain whereever I am in the world what MN is all about….This includes showing them my old Viking jersey and pictures/shots/videos of hunting, fishing, Smoky Bear, and most important of the Vikings/Wild/Twins in action!
I wish you well in this endeavor, and if it would be helpful, perhaps I can shed some light for the legislators regarding the international perspective their work to get a new stadium would have in keeping the Vikings in MN – It has GLOBAL implications! It is part of the mystique and the glamour of MN….We have to keep them there! It is a draw for tourists, sportsmen, and businesses alike!
Cheers and SKOL!
Sincerely,
David Sweney
WEB: http://www.sgmconsult.com
EMAIL: davesweney@yahoo.com
I fully support your efforts and will see you at the capital. No matter what kind of response you get from fans, legislature, opponents, ect keep up the fight. You are winning people day by day with this campaign.
These are all great points that we/I encourage all Viking fans to learn & be able to talk about when you are discussing this with anyone. Know your facts, but even when you don’t, its ok to say that there is more info that you can get, and you most likely will find it here. You are helping by joining this website & you can help more by showing up, as powerfully purple as you can, on Dec 3rd, and then any other dates we set up rallies at the capital. For those your presence is what helps…the larger our numbers the better. We have our spokespeople for those, we simply need you to STAND along side of us. I will be there along with other “super fans” from the Viking World Order making our strong stance to help positively influence our MN leaders.
For fans outside of MN, you count too!! Many of you visit MN for vacations as well as come in to attend 1 or more Viking games. You represent a positive impact on MN tourism, shopping, restaurants & entertainment. All those funds benefit the State of MN’s revenue. So you can email our MN leaders to tell them that very fact. YOU HAVE A STAKE IN THIS TOO! If the worst happens, & our Vikes leave, then MN loses you too. That hurts the MN economy in addition to the loss of that $25 million already noted above. That loss also hurts businesses such as sports bars & hotels that thrive from you being here. Those losses to them in turn can create more jobs cuts. That in turn hurts those people, as well as the State’s income tax revenue. The ripple effect (more like a wave than a ripple!) goes on & on, deeper & wider than people think.
So all Vikes fans everywhere can help us & have a positive impact on our stadium drive. Help us “Save The Vikes !”
SKOLT
WeAreVikingsFans.com Ambassador SaveTheVikes.org Fan Advocate
CSM of Viking World Order Season Ticket Holder Sec 213
Folks, I am from PA and let me tell you something, if the Vikings leave the state of MN then I will never watch football again, period…It just wont be the same…The ‘Minnesota’ Vikings, it just sounds right…I’ve been to a few games in your state, beautiful state, and would love to come back in the future, I would personally be devastated if they left, it would truly break my heart. Let’s not make this another Cleveland Browns situation or the NorthStars, screw LA, they dont have passionate fans, they dont deserve a team, keep the team where they belong!
We have to do anything we can to have the stadium built and keep them in Minnesota. Otherwise, we may have to start rooting for the LA Vikings.
Thanks for all the info. I called and sent emails to my Reps that i support funding for the vikings new stadium and hopefully many others do the same. Does not take that much time. People need to know the information you provided to keep these vikings here where they belong. GO VIKES!!!
My son and I visit MN once a year to see a Viking game. We always go to a play at the Gutherie, visit the great Minneapolis Institute of Art, and spend a day at the Mall. We sample the great food at your restaurants. I could go on and on … we both love Minneapolis, and we love each game we see (even when they lose). Minneapolis is a great city, a great experience for us both–and I appreciate the fact that I am leaving $$$ in your city each time: money well spent on a fine experience. What can I do, living in CT, to help? (If the Vikings leave, I won’t be visiting again.) To which legislators do I write?
Gary, thanks for your comment and contribution to our economy. Glad to hear you think fondly of our great state! The 2 people it would be best to reach out to would be:
Governor Tim Pawlenty mailto:tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
State Speaker of the House Margaret Kelliher mailto:rep.margaret.kelliher@house.mn
Thanks for your effort and assistance Gary!
Cory Merrifield
Founder/Fan Advocate
SavetheVikes.org
cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org
This is a “no brainer”. We shouldn’t have to think twice to know how inportant the Vikings are to Minnesota and how important a new stadium would be for the Minnesota economy as a whole.
It’s really quite simple-a state owned casino either downtown or at the Mall of America would go a long way towards paying for it and probably have money left over for other worthwhile projects. If we can’t build a Sate owned casino, maybe the Indian ones could at least share with us.
Once the vikes are gone the State not only loses the tax revenue they are now producing, but the politicians will be willing to spend many millions more trying to get another team.
I think Eric may be on to something! The pols are probably tired of hearing about it, or maybe too afraid of the Native American lobbyists, but a state-run casino fixes all of the problems regarding a new stadium. Expansion of gambling? We’ve already got a state-run lottery, and casinos in several “convenient Minnesota locations.” Time is running out! Hey, State Legistators: Do you guys want it on your back that you let the Vikings get away?
I want to provide some hopefully helpful information to you very true-blue Vikings fans. Although I’m not a football fan, and the aspect of yet another tax frightens me, I want to give you some negotiating ideas to help make this stadium a reality.
As you know, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are paying several “additional” taxes to support the current Metrodome, Convention Center, the Target Center and the new Target Field. My idea is simple, transfer the existing taxes for the Metrodome and Convention Center to the new Vikings stadium. I’m sure the Convention Center and Metrodome are paid for. The taxes already exist, so it would take the legislature to transfer those to the building of a new stadium.
I also like the idea of the Vikings-dedicated license plates. The stadium would get a lot of funding from that alone.
Because ticket prices and memorabilia are high, I don’t know if a surcharge on that merchandise would work.
Good luck, and I hope we can work this out, with the majority happy with the results.
Jim
build it just do it MN congress or you willbe out of a job. MN drug their feet on Target Field now look its the talk of the world come on new stadium and Superbowl will follow
For item number 1. “When the Vikings leave, so do $20-25 million dollars in tax revenue. Where do you think the State of Minnesota is going to recoup that loss of tax revenue? Either through more cuts or increased taxes”
Since the cost of the stadium is estimated to be 950 million, it will take the state 10 years to realize the cost in terms of loss. Even a blue state like MN should be able to come up with something in 10 years.