The People’s Stadium Bill

4-2-2011
 Cory Merrifield
 Founder/Fan Advocate
 SavetheVikes.org
 cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org
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Who is SavetheVikes.org?
 A grassroots, nonpartisan group dedicated to securing the
Vikings a new home in Minnesota
 Open to many forms of stadium solutions and financing
 An advocate for keeping the Vikings in Minnesota
 Not owned or operated by any company or political
organization
 Founder Cory Merrifield created SavetheVikes.org to
be for the fans, by the fans
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Goal: Finance a multi purpose stadium to keep

the Vikings in Minnesota
 Tax free
 NO GENERAL FUNDS, NO TAX INCREASES
 Create jobs - 25,000 jobs for Minnesotans
 Fair to all parties involved:
 Tax Payers
 State of MN
 Vikings
 Fans
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FACT: 70% of the televisions in

Minnesota are tuned to the Vikings on
Sunday

“In this day of zoned news, niche Web

sites and bowling alone, the Vikings
are as close to a statewide campfire as
we get.”
-Jay Weiner, MINNPOST
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Stadium Plan - Last year Metropolitan Sports

Facilities Commission (MSFC) commissioned HKS
architects and Mortenson Construction to develop a
stadium plan

 Metrodome Next1plan was created

 Total cost as of 2011: $920 Million2

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Why Doesn’t Existing Metrodome Work?

One of the oldest in the NFL at 30 years old
Major safety concerns

Narrow concourses
No roof/unstable roof
Safe exit unlikely in emergency

Financially unsustainable

Without Vikings, Metrodome doesn’t pay for itself

Due to old facilities, Vikings aren’t profitable without NFL

subsidies
Metrodome 16 public restrooms to accommodate 65,000 people.

Target field 34 public restrooms to accommodate 42,000 people.

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“The Dome is down, the lease is up and time is

running out”

-Ted Mondale, MSFC Chairman

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Multi Purpose Stadium for the Community:

 Metrodome is currently used for over 500 non-NFL events
spanning over 200 days each year
 In 2009, there were 330,900 people who attended those

500+ events
 In 2009, The Metrodome’s non-NFL events generated

$1,638,360 in revenue
 Metrodome has less than 20 public restrooms to

accommodate 65,000 people. Only six are women’s

restrooms; compared to 17 men’s rooms and 17 women’s
rooms at Target Field.
All Data This Slide Courtesy of MSFC
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Multi Purpose Stadium for the Community: Needs a Roof

 Multi purpose stadium needs a roof to accommodate the more than 500
annual community related events
 No roof on the Stadium would prevent community events from taking

place over Minnesota’s long winter months, in turn significantly

reducing revenue for a large portion of the year
 State benefits by having large sporting events at stadium (Able to

accommodate major events like The Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four
Tournament, etc)
 Best solution is to partner

 Cost for retractable roof is split 3 ways between Vikings, Fan user fees and
Public/Racino
 If Vikings think open air is better competitive advantage they can keep
roof open on game day
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Multi Purpose Stadium for the Community:

 Minnesota’s “Rec-Room”
 Metrodome is currently used for over 500 non-NFL events spanning over 300 days
each year

 In 2009, there were 330,900 people who attended those 500+ events
 1 million total annual visitors, over 40% of which are from outside the 7 county
metro area

 In 2009, The Metrodome’s non-NFL events generated $1,638,360 in revenue

 The People’s Stadium needs a roof for community events

All Data This Slide Courtesy of MSFC

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“Rows at the Metrodome are so tightly compact that seating is

uncomfortable”
“The bathrooms (especially for women) were inadequate for the
demand”
“There were many scary moments when trying to get past others

to reach the aisle”

-Brandi Loyd, Disabled Veteran

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JOBS!!
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"People have been out of work too

long. Let's put people back to work,
We need a people's stadium“
“Surcharges on tickets and souvenir
and food and beverages. not a dollar
from general funds."
"I propose a casino somewhere where
the state would derive maximum
financial benefit."
- Minnesota Governor, Mark Dayton
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Job Creation:
 New Vikings stadium construction would create 8,000

construction jobs and other trade jobs 17

 Additional 5,400 jobs would be created as indirect result 17
 3,400 more jobs would be needed for operations and upkeep of
Metrodome Next after construction 18
 Racino would create 500-1,000 new jobs at Canterbury Park

ramping up over three years 19

 Racino would create estimated 5,000-8,000 new agricultural jobs across
the State 20
 Total jobs created across Minnesota as a result of new Vikings
stadium partnered with Racino is 22,300-25,800.
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+ =
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Jobs Created as a Result of New Vikings Stadium:

Short term Jobs
(projected) Job Origination

8,000 Construction jobs over 3 year period

5,400 Jobs created in MN as indirect result

Long term Jobs
(projected)  

3,400 Permanent operational jobs for supporting stadium

1,000 Canterbury Park over 3 years from Racino

7,200 Agricultural and Horse farms

25,000 Total number of created jobs

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$50,000,000

The dollar amount in which the price for a new stadium increases every
year we delay building “Metrodome Next”
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The fan’s plan is as easy as 1-2-3

Minnesota Vikings
1/3

User Based Fan Fees Racino – 1/3

1/3
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 Annual public contribution would be $28 million through

Racino - not through any imposed tax increases.
 Vikings tax contribution to the State through player
income tax, corporate income tax and other misc.
revenues is projected to be $32 million annually with the
new stadium. 3
 State of Minnesota public contribution would be paid
back annually after the initial Racino contribution of $28
million was paid back. 4
 $5 million annual profit to State of Minnesota
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Total cost of Metrodome Next Plan: $920

million
 $300 million - Vikings’ contribution
 NFL - $30 million 1 time contribution
 Vikings/NFL combine for 35% contribution
 Remaining $590 million split between user based
fan fees and Racino
 $25 million annual user based fan fee contribution
 $28 million annual Racino contribution
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Financial Breakdown
Amount to be financed after
$590,000,000 Vikings/NFL down payment of $330 Million

$20,000,000 Principle annual payment divided over 30 years    

           

$25,000,000 Fan user based fan fees        

$28,000,000 Annual Racino contribution      

$53,000,000 Annual Payment for Multi Use Stadium      

           

28 Number of years estimated to pay off stadium (Estimated)  

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Vikings’ Contribution:
 Down Payment = $300 Million from Vikings
 NFL Contribution =$30 Million
 Vikings paying 1/3 on par with national average
 The average public subsidy for an NFL stadium in the last
14 years is 60%
 Realistic option considering Vikings’ finances
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Contributions to NFL Stadiums (Source: CSL NFL Stadium Funding Summary)

Percentage paid by public for NFL Stadiums (5) Figures in Millions

Year Team Private $ Public $ Total Cost % of Public Payment

2011 Chiefs (Refurb) 125 263.4 388.4 68%
2010 Jets/Giants 1,600 0 1,600 0%
2009 Cowboys 750 440 1190 37%
2008 Colts 100 619.6 719.6 87%
2006 Cardinals 145.4 310.3 455.7 69%
2003 Bears (Refurb) 200 387 587 66%
2003 Packers (Refurb) 126.1 169.1 295.2 58%
2002 Patriots 340 72 412 18%
2002 Lions 330 110 440 25%
2002 Texans 185 289 474 61%
2002 Seahawks 161 300.3 461.3 66%
2001 Steelers 109.2 171.6 280.8 62%
2001 Broncos 111.8 289 400.8 73%
2000 Bengals 25 424.8 449.8 95%
1999 Titans 84.8 206.9 291.7 71%
1999 Browns 71 200 271 74%
1998 Ravens 22.4 203.6 226 91%
1998 Buccaneers 0 194 194 100.00%
1997 Redskins 180 70.5 250.5 29%
Average Public Contribution: 60%
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User Based Fees:

MN Lottery Vikings scratch offs (Pacing $4-5 million annual net profit) 6
Ticket surcharge of $15.50 beyond existing tax (Generates $10 million

annually) 7
Stadium Naming Rights: Worth $14 million annually; $10 million to the

State of MN, $4 million to the Vikings 8

Annual Vikings concessions sales are $7 million. Tax on concessions

sold at Metrodome Next projected at $10 million. Append a 5%

surcharge on all concessions sold at stadium which would generate
additional $500,000 annually above existing sales tax revenues 9
Personalized license plates approximately $500,000 direct to stadium

annually (plus additional $300,000 for MNDOT per WI DOT Packers

model) 10
Data Sources: MN State Lottery, WI DOT, MSFC, CSL (all available upon request)
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User Based Fees:

Annual Figures
(In Millions) Option
$10,000,000 Ticket Stadium Surcharge
$4,000,000 Vikings Scratch Offs
$10,000,000Metrodome Next Naming Rights
$500,000 Vikings License plates
$500,000 Concessions mark-up
   
$25,000,000 Total user based annual contribution
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Public Financing – Racino:

 No use of State of Minnesota general funds
 No citizen tax increases
 $28 million in annual contributions
 Racino estimated to generate $125 million annually 11
 All $28 million of annual Racino proceeds would be paid back
annually with an $5 million surplus 4
 Vikings estimated annual tax contribution is $32 million 3

 Any annual public (Racino) fund contribution is repaid

within one year

 Use Racino as collateral for bonding bill
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Total stadium cost   920,000,000      

Vikings total portion   300,000,000      
NFL total portion   30,000,000      

Vikes/NFL portion broken up over 5 years 66,000,000   All Figures Actual

User Fee/Racino annual payment 53,000,000      
Assumed APR 8%          
             

    Racino/User Fee Vikings/NFL      

Down Payment 53,000,000 66,000,000      
   
Time Principal Interest Rate Applied Interest Racino/UF's Vikings New amount
year 1 801,000,000 1.08 865,080,000.00 53,000,000 66,000,000 746,080,000.00
year 2 746,080,000 1.08 805,766,400.00 53,000,000 66,000,000 686,766,400.00
year 3 686,766,400 1.08 741,707,712.00 53,000,000 66,000,000 622,707,712.00
year 4 622,707,712 1.08 672,524,328.96 53,000,000 66,000,000 553,524,328.96
year 5 553,524,329 1.08 597,806,275.28 53,000,000 0 544,806,275.28
year 6 544,806,275 1.08 588,390,777.30 53,000,000 0 535,390,777.30
year 7 535,390,777 1.08 578,222,039.48 53,000,000 0 525,222,039.48
year 8 525,222,039 1.08 567,239,802.64 53,000,000 0 514,239,802.64
year 9 514,239,803 1.08 555,378,986.85 53,000,000 0 502,378,986.85
year 10 502,378,987 1.08 542,569,305.80 53,000,000 0 489,569,305.80
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year 11 489,569,306 1.08 528,734,850.27 53,000,000 0 475,734,850.27

year 12 475,734,850 1.08 513,793,638.29 53,000,000 0 460,793,638.29
year 13 460,793,638 1.08 497,657,129.35 53,000,000 0 444,657,129.35
year 14 444,657,129 1.08 480,229,699.70 53,000,000 0 427,229,699.70
year 15 427,229,700 1.08 461,408,075.67 53,000,000 0 408,408,075.67
year 16 408,408,076 1.08 441,080,721.73 53,000,000 0 388,080,721.73
year 17 388,080,722 1.08 419,127,179.46 53,000,000 0 366,127,179.46
year 18 366,127,179 1.08 395,417,353.82 53,000,000 0 342,417,353.82
year 19 342,417,354 1.08 369,810,742.13 53,000,000 0 316,810,742.13
year 20 316,810,742 1.08 342,155,601.50 53,000,000 0 289,155,601.50
year 21 289,155,601 1.08 312,288,049.62 53,000,000 0 259,288,049.62
year 22 259,288,050 1.08 280,031,093.59 53,000,000 0 227,031,093.59
year 23 227,031,094 1.08 245,193,581.07 53,000,000 0 192,193,581.07
year 24 192,193,581 1.08 207,569,067.56 53,000,000 0 154,569,067.56
year 25 154,569,068 1.08 166,934,592.97 53,000,000 0 113,934,592.97
year 26 113,934,593 1.08 123,049,360.40 53,000,000 0 70,049,360.40
year 27 70,049,360 1.08 75,653,309.23 53,000,000 0 22,653,309.23
year 28 22,653,309 1.08 24,465,573.97 53,000,000 0 -28,534,426.03
year 29 -28,534,426 1.08 -30,817,180.11 53,000,000 0 -83,817,180.11
year 30 -83,817,180 1.08 -90,522,554.52 53,000,000 0 -143,522,554.52
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Other Revenue Sources:

 Analysis of a new Vikings Stadium shows it would contribute $145
million annually to the Minnesota business community 12
 Annual tax revenues during three year construction phase is projected
at $33,190,000 13
 2010 Super Bowl in Miami generated over $300 million for Florida in
one week 14
 New NFL stadiums have a precedence of hosting Super Bowl
 Hosting NCAA Final Four generates close to $1 million 15

 $30 Million in commerce for host business community

 Hosting community events at the new stadium
 This project has an estimated $1.4 Billion economic output for the
state of Minnesota 16
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Why Invest?
Major metropolitan community with a balance between sports and the arts

Encourage community and youth athletics – Childhood obesity is at an all time high

Peripheral financial benefit for the business community

-Leaders like Doug Baker, Wheelock Whitney and US Bank CEO agree
-Will create a broader tax base that will increase revenue’s to the State of Minnesota
which can be reinvested back into the community

Precedence has shown during difficult economic times the Government has partnered with
business community to spur economic development and create jobs
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Legislative Resources:

Legislative history of the Minnesota Vikings:

http://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/issues/football.asp
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
www.msfc.com
SavetheVikes.org – www.SavetheVikes.org
Minnesota Momentum – www.MinnesotaMomentum.com
Conventions, Sports and Leisure – www.cslintl.com
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Contact your Lawmakers asking them to

support the SavetheVikes.org Stadium Bill!

www.SavetheVikes.org/Huddle-up/
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APPENDIX
1. Metrodome Next plan is the stadium design commissioned by the
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) in coordination with the Minnesota
Vikings. It was released to the public on December 17, 2009. The plan was designed by
Bryan Trubey of HKS Sports & Entertainment. HKS designed the Dallas Cowboys and
Indianapolis Colts stadiums. A copy of this can be obtained through contacting the MSFC
or Cory Merrifield.
 
2. Cost of the stadium is $870 million dollars as of Spring 2010. The designer stated during
the presentation on December 17, 2009 that the cost of the stadium will increase by $50
million dollars by waiting until 2011 to begin construction. Cost estimation was performed
by Mortenson Construction.

3. Estimated annual tax revenues as a direct result of the Minnesota Vikings is $32.2 million
as outlined by Conventions, Sports and Leisure (CSL) analysis from their Economic Impact
study. Specific breakdown of the
Vikings annual tax contribution can be found on page 6 of this report.
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APPENDIX
4. This figure of net annual profit to the State of Minnesota is formulated at $32 million
annual contribution from the Vikings, less the $25 million investment from Racino
which would leave a net surplus/profit of $8 million annually.
 
5. Source: CSL NFL Stadium Funding Summary report commissioned by the MSFC. Soft
copy unavailable, hard copy available via Cory Merrifield upon request.
 
6. Figures made available from MN State Lottery Dept. for Vikings scratch game (Lottery
#682). Vikings scratch game went into circulation on July 20, 2010. Report ran on
January 5, 2011. Average monthly contribution after operational expense and winner
pay-out ranges between $350,000-$450,000 monthly profits. When multiplied by 12
months that creates $4-5 million in annual contributions. Special exemption may need
to be drafted for this scratch off to redirect funds from the General Fund and the
Conservation Fund to be applied toward stadium debt. Soft and hard copy of the report
available upon request.
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APPENDIX
7.Adding a $15.50 ticket surcharge to 65,000 tickets sold for 10 games annually creates
$10,075,000 to be put toward stadium fund. This will increase the cost of admission for the
average family of four by approximately 15%, which is reasonable. It is also possible to scale
the ticket surcharge by seating chart, meaning the better the seat, the higher the surcharge.
 
Example: The ticket surcharge for $125 seats would $21, whereas the surcharge for $75 seats
would be $10.
 

This could be done in the event there are concerns regarding putting the cost of attendance out
of reach for Joe and Jill America, who would like to bring Bobby and Sally to a game.
 
8.Stadium naming rights for Metrodome Next are projected at $14 million annually. This
analysis was conducted by CSL in their December 17, 2009 report to Bill Lester and the MSFC
titled “Comparison of Potential Metrodome Development Scenarios.” Web copy of this report
is not available. Hard copy of this report is available via Cory Merrifield upon request.
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APPENDIX
9. Figures based on 2009 actual data acquired from the MSFC on concessions sales at Vikings
games only. 2010 concession data will be available February 2011. Concession gross revenues
as projected by the “Comparison of Potential Metrodome Development Scenarios” for
Metrodome Next are $10,190,000 with net revenues of $4,580,000. By including a 5%
surcharge added to the 6.875% sales tax concessions would have a 12% mark-up. The
difference between the two would generate just over $500,000 annually. Soft copy of the
MSFC 2009 actual data is available. Hard copy of the CSL report is available.
 
10. In 2001 WI DOT instituted a personalized Green Bay Packers License Plate Program. Since
2003, this program (after licensing and operating expenses) has generated an average of
$414,511 annually. The State of Wisconsin has a population of 5,654,774 (36% between the
ages of 18-65). The State of Minnesota has a population of 5,266,214 (35% between the ages of
18-65). Given those facts it is reasonable to extrapolate that with a slight price increase over the
WI DOT program MNDOT could generate $500,000 annually to put toward stadium financing.
 
11. Figures courtesy of Racino Now, Canterbury Park CEO, Randy Sampson and former Senate
Minority Leader, Dick Day. Figures were confirmed by the Dept. of Revenue.
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APPENDIX
12. According to the CSL economic analysis report on Metrodome Next, the adjusted direct
consumer spending as a result of building a new stadium and keeping the Vikings in
Minnesota is $145,100,000 annually (See page 16 of report). The average Vikings fan will
spend $107 outside of the stadium before and after a Vikings game (See page 13 of
report). A significant portion of the direct spending originates from outside of the local
area (See page 15 of report).
 

13. According to the CSL economic analysis report on Metrodome Next, the direct tax
revenue to the State of Minnesota as a result of construction spending, employee income
tax and related sales tax is $33,190,000 annually over the three-year construction period
(See page 4 of report). This is in addition to the Vikings direct tax revenue, not instead of.
 

14. Figures courtesy of the Sports Management Research Institute.

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APPENDIX
15. Financials obtained from the MSFC regarding the 2009 NCAA Final Four event in
Minneapolis, MN at the Metrodome.

16. According to page 4 of the CSL economic analysis report on Metrodome Next, the $734
million of construction spending taking place in the State of Minnesota is estimated to
generate approximately $1.4 billion in total output during the construction period. This
level of economic activity is estimated to support 13,400 jobs with total personal earnings
of approximately $577 million.
 

17. According to page 4 and 5 of the CSL economic analysis report on Metrodome Next, to
provide an additional understanding of the potential jobs impact during the construction
phase, an estimate of the number of on-site construction jobs that would be created by the
stadium reconstruction project was developed by representatives of Mortenson
Construction. The estimate was prepared specifically for the proposed Metrodome Next
project based on the firm’s previous experience with major stadium construction projects,
including Target Field and TCF Bank Stadium. Mortenson estimates that approximately
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APPENDIX
18. According to page 5 of the CSL economic analysis report on Metrodome Next, the
ongoing operations of the stadium and the Vikings totals approximately $145 million
annually, which in turn generates approximately $275 million of total annual output
and $106 million in annual personal earnings and supports approximately 3,400 jobs.
Upwards of 90% of these impacts are estimated to be attributable to Vikings-related
activities, with the remainder resulting from other events and activities assumed to be
held at the stadium. Specifically, approximately $247 million of the $275 million in
annual output and 3,000 of the 3,400 jobs supported are estimated to result from
Vikings-related activities.

19. Source courtesy of Canterbury Park CEO, Randy Sampson and board member Carin
Offerman. Additional information can be found at www.RacinoNow.com
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APPENDIX
20. According to analysis and research from Racino Now the state of Pennsylvania has added
over 44,000 jobs in the agricultural and equine industry. Excerpt from their site:

Pennsylvania's Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding recently issued a report that shows
Racino legislation, passed in Pennsylvania in 2006 (Act 71), has created 44,000 equine-related
jobs and boosted the overall value of the equine industry in Pennsylvania by $3.4 billion over the
past four years. Redding said, "Act 71 [has] encouraged investment in new farms, breeding stock,
equipment, veterinary services and agricultural production, strengthening Pennsylvania's
agricultural community."

PA has added six Racinos since 2006, creating 44,000 jobs. MN has 50+ horse farms
which are in dire need of hiring veterinarians, trainers, laborers and vendors for feed,
transportation, etc. MN horse farms have been struggling due to the decrease in attendance at
Canterbury Park which is a result of increases in casinos in MN.
 
Using a formula of 44,000 jobs divided by six Racinos (7,333 jobs per Racino) you can safely
forecast 5,000-8,000 jobs created across MN from the addition of one or two Racinos.
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2,000,000 Vikings Fans in MN

Are asking for your support!