In a sign depressed Friday Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton plans to step into politically charged fight over a new Vikings Stadium, he is a veteran political hand with deep experience in regional policy to head the Metropolitan Sports facilities Commission.
TED Mondale, former state senator and 1998 DFL candidate for Governor, who later headed the Metropolitan Council, was picked as President of the Agency, which shall supervise the Metrodome and acts as the Vikings lessor. He will also serve as Daytons lead navigator in trying to land the Vikings a new home.
"My main focus is to represent the Governor on the potential for getting this done," said Mondale.
Having run a was Vance campaign and spearheaded the construction of the then-controversial Hiawatha light-rail line, the son of former Vice President Walter Mondale is something about the political landscape and assemble complex and controversial quotes.
"I cannot think of a person better treat a deflated Dome, Vikings, a Republican legislator and a Democratic Governor than Ted Mondale problems. He is the perfect guy to take on a rod, "says Chuck Repke, who served as Mondales political Director during his run 1998.
Mondale had also been a Vikings Adviser, a predominantly ceremonial position on a Board, included Sue Haigh, Daytons choice to run the Council met. The team was effusive about Daytons pick.
"He is an excellent choice leads Commission sport"
Vikings vice President Lester Bagley said. "We trust in him. We have worked with him. We respect his track record of success, both in the public and the private sector. "This year marks the Metrodome 30th anniversary. The Vikings are looking for new homes, argues that the lack of revenue that is generated by the comparison with other NFL venues Dome leaves the team at a disadvantage. NFL revenue sharing agreement has helped the team maintain his salary, but that agreement could be replaced by a new labor deal for next season.
Dayton has established several criteria for use of public money on a new facility, including to oppose the use of General Fund revenues. Proposals have included among the taxes and surcharges on everything from tickets for parking for concessions.
State Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, expects to introduce a Bill next month, that appears to meet the Governor guidelines. But Rosen has been reluctant to world champion the issue as a legislator focuses on reviving the Minnesota economy and closes a $ 6.2 billion deficit.
Although some members of both parties hope on a draft law — especially with Stadium the team's lease expires after the 2011 season — have remained more circumspect than Governor. Dayton has publicly invited the team to produce the details of its proposal, including a location, and whether to include a tag so that it could be assessed by the legislature.
Bagley said Friday the team continues to work on these details. "We hope to move the discussion forward beginning sometime in the next 30 days," he said.
Sports facilities, the Commission is expected to play a central role in the negotiations over a new stadium. But with six members shall be appointed by a Minneapolis City Council, if the team pursues a site outside of Minneapolis, the Commission's role in the Stadium debate would be diminished.
The location of a new stadium is important, because the team may be a local Government to assume a part of the costs incurred by Hennepin County taxpayers did when the target field was built for twins.
Mondales experience in the private sector — he recently sold the software company he founded Nazca solutions — should help as well as: Corporate sponsorships and naming rights is key to any Stadium construction quotes.
In the meantime, proposes the Anschutz Entertainment Group, to build a downtown Los Angeles Stadium aims to bring pro football back to one of the largest U.S. markets. This week reports that measuring spot EGGS was close to securing much naming rights with State Farm Insurance that would provide roughly $ 20 million in annual revenue.
To put that in perspective, it is as much as half the annual debt service on a new stadium, which is estimated to cost between $ 700 million to $ 900 million. So far there has been any Minnesota groups as partners in a potential Stadium deal.
A second group pursues a L.A. Stadium deal also give Vikings potential suitors, if the team decides to search elsewhere. But so far the Vikings officials remained committed to Minnesota. And AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke recently said his group did not seriously pursue the team.
Mondale succeed Roy Terwilliger, a designated by former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and seems to have a mandate to build a Stadium deal.
"His extraordinary dedication to public service, his business experience and his established relationships with key decision makers will make it possible for him to represent the best interests of the people in Minnesota in the attempt to negotiate a new ' people's stadium, '" Dayton said in a statement.
Several factors make him a natural choice.
Mondale attended elementary school with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, when living in Washington, D.C., with his father. He also has strong ties to Daytons staff — Dayton Chief Tina Smith was Mondale's 1998 campaign manager and his top employee on the Metropolitan Council.
He also earned raves from the business community, as solid support Stadium efforts. Minnesota Business Partnership Executive Director Charlie Weaver said he has known Mondale, as they served in the legislature on opposite sides of the political aisle and praised him as a person who could work with both parties.
"It tells me that the Governor's seriously. He takes the issue of a facility seriously, because he hired a guy who gets things done and know the landscape, "said Weaver.
Pawlenty manages virtually any leadership role on Vikings Stadium issue, but Dayton seems prepared to accommodate it, despite the political risks. Opinion polls show the public opposed using taxpayer dollars to help build a stadium.
One of Mondales first tasks will be to monitor the rehabilitation of the Metrodome. Roof collapsed under the heavy snow, December and five Teflon roof panels either ripped open or removed for security reasons.
Tag currently undergoing testing. Bill Lester, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Sports facilities Commission said that the Agency to learn more about the extent of the problem at the end of the month, when it should have a better idea when Dome can reopen.
Already more than 300 amateur baseball games, and more events have been canceled, and the Vikings have expressed reservations about playing there this year. One of the teams have had to seek alternative execution venues is Macalester College, where Mondales son is a pitcher.
"I can't imagine any scenario where the Tag is not ready for season 2011" Lester said.
Associated Press contributed to this report. Jason Hoppin can be reached at 651-228-5445.
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