Outrageous Vikings stadium number shows the true intent
“…and…the governor and the Legislature.” Of course.
U.S. Bank Stadium, the home of the Minnesota Vikings, will require some $280 million in maintenance to remain in top condition over the next decade, including nearly $48 million next year, according to an architectural assessment released Friday.
“Is there sufficient money to cover these? The answer to that is no,” said Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) Chair Michael Vekich. “That is the work that we have to do collectively with [stadium operator] ASM, the Minnesota Vikings and … the governor and the Legislature.”
(StarTribune)
But it’s actually over ten years, so it’s not so much, might be the rejoinder for some. Well, if it’s really just a pittance after all, there’s no reason to expect anything from any public entity. They have far, far better uses for their funds.
Obviously, $280M (20% of the entire stadium’s original cost, based on my own quick and dirty inflation adjustment for that) is “shooting the moon,” which they plan to use as a starting point, then act like they’re being all reasonable and even self-sacrificing by cutting out a few things.
My strong suspicion is that owners and others kind of get that the days of taxpayers picking up most of the costs of new stadiums are winding down, at least in much of the country. Younger, better-educated, more reality-based voters are less easy to con into backing that shit. So crap like this is these grotesquely bloated parasites’ replacement way of continuing to gorge endlessly at the expense of the rest of us. It may even be a sort of trial balloon, that team owners and their sycophants will be monitoring carefully.
The billionaires need us. We DON”T NEED THEM. It would be good if a lot more people got around to understanding that, and voted accordingly.
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