Bakk: Soccer stadium wouldn’t get one vote

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk. Tim Pugmire|MPR News

A day before a private meeting with the head of Minnesota’s new pro soccer franchise, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk threw more cold water on the idea of a state subsidized stadium.

Bakk, DFL-Cook, is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon with Bill McGuire, who is trying to get a soccer-only stadium built in downtown Minneapolis. Meetings are also planned with DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown.

Bakk told reporters Monday that he expects to get an update from McGuire about the stadium effort. But Bakk said he remains opposed to any state support for that project. He said the Legislature is still suffering from stadium fatigue.

“I mean I could offer it on the floor as an amendment. I don’t think it would get a vote," Bakk said. "If that’s what we need to do for me to get their attention, I can do that just to show them that I’m not joking about this. There just isn’t any support here for another stadium.”

Bakk said he has not received any specific requests or proposals from the team. He plans to meet with reporters again following Tuesday's meeting.

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