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Mar 24, 2006 5:00 pm US/Central
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Wilf's Goals: Win Super Bowl, Get New Stadium
Eden Prairie, Minn. (AP) ―
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has two obvious goals for his franchise -- winning a Super Bowl and building a new stadium.
Though he's moved aggressively to hire a coach, sign free agents, buy land and lobby for public support, Wilf has also acknowledged the value of patience -- for the Super Bowl and the stadium.
"You have to have a long-term outlook on both," Wilf said Friday, in an interview with The Associated Press. "But we're optimistic that we can get both of them done in the short-term."
With the football side of the organization wrapping up an active two weeks in free agency, Wilf and his leaders in the front office are continuing their push for a stadium bill to be considered during this spring's state legislative session.
The Vikings are eager to build in Blaine a $675 million retractable roof stadium, as an anchor to a $1.5 billion Northern Lights Sports, Retail and Entertainment Center -- with the promise of stores, a hotel and conference center, office and retail developments, and preserved wetlands with a visitor center.
Wilf has promised $280 million toward the stadium, plus many of the costs associated with the other developments, for a total of about $1 billion in private investment. Anoka County would have to pay $280 million through a three-quarters percent sales tax increase, or about 75 cents per $100.
It's been approved by the county commission, but the Legislature must authorize it before it can be levied. The state would also provide $115 million through construction bonds.
"From the governor, through the leaders in the House and the Senate, I've gotten the indication directly from them, as has many of our staff, that our chances have gone up," Wilf said.
"I think everyone realizes it's not a state handout. It's an investment by a private developer in the community, and I think it's important."
The Vikings have long been in line behind Twins baseball and University of Minnesota football in requests for stadium funding. Legislative leaders have said the votes are there to pass plans for both the Twins and the Gophers this session, but the consensus has generally been the Vikings' chances are more remote.
The Twins' proposal is similar to the Vikings' in that it relies heavily on a county sales tax, which must be approved by the state.
"I think there's a good chance that we'll get all three stadiums done this year," said Wilf, who was at the Capitol on Thursday.
"I think it's going to be a crowning achievement in anyone's administration for it to get done."
A New Jersey native who maintains a residence there, Wilf recently moved into a Minneapolis townhouse -- about nine months after his $600 million purchase of the team was finalized.
He gushed Friday about the Twin Cities area, giving his support to the possible pursuit of a summer Olympics -- an idea recently raised at the Capitol.
"The dream of that, and hopefully the dream that turns into reality with all three stadiums at this time, will really pave the way to show the world that we could be deserving of the Olympics," Wilf said. "Because here we are, we're ready to go ahead and do things like this. If we don't do that, then we're not really setting the right example."
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)