Gov. Mark Dayton told Zygi and Mark Wilf, owners of the Minnesota Vikings, that seat licensing would put the team at odds with the governor’s concept that the new stadium would be the “people’s stadium,” not the rich people’s stadium.
Well, in this case, the governor’s right. The Wilfs, as other National Football League (NFL) owners have, got the state to go along with a new stadium for the Vikings. The state of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis are on the hook for $498 million of the $975 million the new facility is expected to cost.
Zygi Wilf, a seasoned New Jersey businessman, tossed out the idea of charging a seat license for season ticket holders. Cost of such licenses for a permanent seat at the new stadium? It could be as little as a few thousand dollars to as much as $50,000.
Dayton, in a letter to the Vikings’ owner said, “I strongly oppose shifting any part of the team’s responsibility for those costs onto Minnesota Vikings fans.”
If the Wilfs expect taxpayers of the state to fork out a portion of the $498 million and on top of that, those who are rich enough to cough up a seat license (a.k.a. a tax, that the government would not get) on top of tax revenue sits crossways with anyone opposed to corporate welfare. For taxpayer dollars contributing to the wealth of a business, is, in fact, corporate welfare. Adding a seat tax to defray the expense of the Wilfs is nuts!
The governor should hear from every taxpayer in this state that is tired of being put on the hook for the enrichment of a few individuals. It’s never too late to withdraw state funding from this inane use of taxpayer funds.
Gov. Dayton, do not give an inch on this latest fleecing of the people of Minnesota.
Keith Hansen
Comments (14)
Add commentDayton humiliates himself
Dayton humiliates himself again. If he didn't want the owners to do that he shouldn't have given them the power to do it.
The Sioux Falls Vikings
zygi, pay for the entire stadium yourself or take the team to sioux falls, who really cares? we still have the food channel. No taxpayer dollars for the yawn vikes . Charge $12.00 for a beer and $20.00 for a dog. pay off the stadium in 2 yrs.
Dayton
is just mad that he did not think of a seat tax as a way to tax the "rich people" more. Purposed, spot on with your comment.
Less than 1 1/2 weeks after election
Remember him, Governor Pill-popper. He's the guy that showed up on Little Johnny Wards behalf at the Nisswa Legion 3 weeks ago. He's Little Johnnys friend. Ya Know. Now he stiffs the Vikings fans for thousands of dollars in seat taxes. Where is that great little weasel that represents us now. You libs elected Little Johnny, now get him off his dead --- (filtered). Why haven't we heard from Little Johnny on what he plans to do for the citizens of CWC on this Vikings rip-off. Ah, what the heck, the people will forget about it by the next election. This wouldn't be a tax increase, would it? Com-on Johnny, lets hear about it. You still have some puppets out there than can speak for you.
There's never enough welfare
There's never enough welfare to satisfy a billionaire.
Or the left
like you fish.
Dayton
Once a state has elected the likes of Jesse Ventura a certain standard of complete ignorance is not easily surpassed.
The Minute They want a Seat License at my Favorite Taverns...
In taverns East of Brainerd...
I'm outa there...
I didn't say Brainerd...Remember this point...
7.375 percent tax in Brainerd/Baxter Proper...
Outside Brainerd/Baxter Proper...
6.875...
Anybody paying attention, and frequent the non-chain store taverns.?.
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Edit...Add...8:52 pm CST - 11/15/2012
Includes some favorites that border South Crow Wing and Northern Morrison Counties...
Still 6.875 tax...
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Stretching a Buck is a goal and Supporting the Locals...
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Edit...Add...8:58 pm CST - 11/15/2012
Response to Fair...
There's some good taverns in Crosby...
And Deerwood...
Supporting the locals means...
Owners, employees, and suppliers...
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My family makes a point to spend pretty all our discretionary cash flow in the Lakes Region...
The Twin Cities does not receive much of that cash flow...
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I will not buy Seat Licenses at the new Vikings House...
I will provide more cash flow to the local taverns to enjoy Vikings Football Games and cheer with the locals...
The Locals are the MOST LOYAL Vikings fans around...
Travel the State and see the following...
SKOL...GO VIKINGS...
Kick the Packers...
Kick the Bears...
Kick the Lions...
Well, if you're slumming
in Crosby or eyolf's town you'll never see me and quite a few others.
I'm no Wilf fan, but ...
... I am totally against the State dictating what prices should be charged by a private business owner. No one would be forced to pay a licensing fee, let the market (supply-demand) determine ticket prices, seat license fees, concession prices, not big government.
lendad
Except if said big government is footing the bill for the stadium build. Shouldn't they have a say-so? I mean, you can't go to the bank to get a car loan and then go buy a jalopy. The bank has some say-so no? I don't know why they want a new stadium anyway, Minnesota has such fair weathered fans it's rediculous, says the win or lose Bronco fan for life.
@ Musky ...
... you're right, its just that I hate gov't. interference/control. Bottom line: public financing for the new stadium was a mistake, and I hope it comes back to bite pill-pushing Dayton in the north end. Wilf needs to pay for a real team if he wants to charge east coast prices. Go packers.