NFL - Sports Rumors

Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:09 am EST

Minnesota Vikings moving to L.A.?

By Mark J. Miller

The Minnesota Vikings want a new stadium. And the team wants one that will likely cost $900 million-plus. In case you haven't noticed, money is tight for everybody these days and the folks in Minnesota aren't excited about the idea of shelling out all that dough for a football stadium. The Vikings' current 30-year lease runs out at the end of 2011 and the team is making it pretty clear it's not planning on playing one more game than necessary in the Metrodome.

So the Vikings are apparently starting to use the threat of moving the team to Los Angeles a little more often these days, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and one wonders if there is a growing truth to the threat.

L.A. has been without a team since 1995 when the Rams and Raiders left town and a new stadium is apparently going to go up there to hold whatever financially strapped team decides to move there.

"There is a very real and meaningful risk we could lose the franchise. It's clear," said Mike Kelly, a Vikings' executive vice president till 2005. "I did a lot of work when I was there on stadium financing and generally on team finances and even when we sold out, it was clear that the team could not be profitable in that stadium."

Source: St. Paul Pioneer PressNew Window

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174 Comments

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  1. Bum Diddy
    1. Posted by Bum Diddy Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:14 am EST

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    We'd love AP in LALA land.
  2. White Squirrel
    2. Posted by White Squirrel Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:21 am EST

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    the nfl would never let this happen
  3. willy80
    3. Posted by willy80 Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:26 am EST

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    ha ha thats awsome....8-1 and still talking about leaving town... that is y im a packer fan, to much pride and tradition to desert there fans...GO PACK
  4. dan ipris
    4. Posted by dan ipris Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:26 am EST

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    f'in shame.
  5. Anton
    5. Posted by Anton Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:30 am EST

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    I'd hate to see that. If they moved to L.A. I would expect a more pass heavy type team like Cardinals in Arizona, who will suck after Kurt retires. Minnesota is better. The cold weather of Minnesota fits the team's style of play better. Plus, what's better than seeing Peterson break out a run when it's snowing and cold?!
  6. A programmer named Christine Gontarek
    6. Posted by A programmer named Christine Gontarek Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:48 am EST

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    uhhhhhh minnesota plays in a dome you dope
  7. michael
    7. Posted by michael Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:59 am EST

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    hey minnesota politics get this right or get out
  8. Kraze E. Viking
    8. Posted by Kraze E. Viking Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:59 am EST

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    cold weather? their in a dome. why would going to LA make them pass more? do you rememeber the 98 vikings. passing has nothing to do with anything. Anton are you grom the shallow end of the gene pool?
  9. Halcyon Daze
    9. Posted by Halcyon Daze Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:14 am EST

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    Egads ... A move to Los Angeles could add five off seasons of indecision to Bret Farves career.
  10. Gary W
    10. Posted by Gary W Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:28 am EST

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    If they move to LA - since i was a kid growing up with the Purple People Eaters i was a Viking Fan - if they move - lets go Detroit.... Lets see what type of politicians they have in Minnesota
  11. rarx
    11. Posted by rarx Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:31 am EST

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    Hey Anton....The Vikings play indoors you moron! Cold weather doesn't have anything to do with their style of play.
    AP has never run in the snow and cold of Minnesota.
  12. Halcyon Daze
    12. Posted by Halcyon Daze Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:32 am EST

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    Hello posters number 3 and 8:
    there = refers to a location. We went there to watch the Vikings play the Packers.
    their = a possessive pronoun. The idiots in front of us finally sat in their seats.
    they're = a contraction of they are. Do you know eher they are? They're in Iraq for the summer.
    Naturally, I simplify in an attempt at brevity. These three stymie many, but shouldn't.
    Cheers,
    ARS
  13. Jackson
    13. Posted by Jackson Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:42 am EST

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    uh oh,....here comes the grammar police. buddy, its going to be a cold day in hell if you think you are going to change bad grammar on this site. stay on task.....post on football issues.
    It is true that the Metrodome sucks as a football venue for the Vikes, but if they move to L.A. then that perhaps might signal the need for a divisional switch and letting the Vikes out of the NFC North doesn't look like a good idea for the NFL, there are too many rivalries there. I'm sure that 'goodytwoshoes' Goodell is not going to entertain that idea.
  14. Charles H
    14. Posted by Charles H Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:42 am EST

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    I would like Minnesota to buy an office building for my business. The old office building is too old, and does not have enough luxury cubicles.
  15. Richard
    15. Posted by Richard Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:57 am EST

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    They are doing better than the louisville, kentucky politicians who has decided we the tax payers should build a new basketball arena downtown. Of course, it will only increase the number of seats over the current arena by 2000 and still will not be suitable for NCAA regionals or finals play because it will not hold enough people. Great part is we have already started building and there was a collapse in the super structure last spring. Can't wait to get my season tickets!
  16. brian b
    16. Posted by brian b Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:08 am EST

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    Either them or San Diego. The Raiders just extended their lease until 2013.
  17. Da Coach
    17. Posted by Da Coach Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:12 am EST

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    Good - move the Vikings to the NFC West and move the Rams to the NFC North. Works for me!
    -Go Bears!
  18. Crux
    18. Posted by Crux Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:30 am EST

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    Something comical about a Los Angeles Viking. Maybe they can plunder the city with the Raiders. Arrrrr.
  19. Anton
    19. Posted by Anton Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:31 am EST

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    #6 and #11 - simply mistake, idiots.
  20. my2centsworth
    20. Posted by my2centsworth Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:48 am EST

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    @ 5 Antone.......Simple mistake!... Yeah right, by a simple minded moron, whose probably ran around in the snow a little to much, and it has frozen his brain cells, and then you call #6 and #11 idiots, you definately are one retarded jerk.
  21. Dan O
    21. Posted by Dan O Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:54 am EST

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    Hey Willy. When are you and all your overpassionate Packer fans realize that the NFL is a business. Businesses make profits. Businesses maximize returns. Pride and Tradition have nothing to do with it you Moron!
  22. Shopper Mom
    22. Posted by Shopper Mom Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:07 am EST

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    When you look at all the teams that have moved......this certainly could happen.
    I don't see a huge resistance to it from the NFL, especially if Minn cannot or will not put the money
    in a new stadium. The owner cannot be forced to keep his team in an area where it is not profitable or as profitable as it could be. They have let other teams move and everybody seems to accept it pretty fast.
    LA lost their team to a move.....so this may be a good way for them to get one back.
  23. Jacks
    23. Posted by Jacks Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:11 am EST

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    We dont want football.. keep your drunk loser fans, your taxes to pay for these stupid stadiums, your animal players... you can keep football in cities where there is nothing to do except get drunk and beat your wife
  24. Cass
    24. Posted by Cass Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:22 am EST

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    #5 didn't say AP was running in the minn snow - I took it that if they move they wouldn't be playing the pack or bears in that division. That would be a shame. I'd like to see a new open air stadium in minn.
  25. Chris
    25. Posted by Chris Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:23 am EST

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    Thats hilarious...what is LA gonna do...build a taxpayer funded stadium? The city has no money...the county has no money...the state has no money...LOL...right...

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