Report: Vikings and U sparred over TCF Bank stadium

TCF Bank Stadium
TCF Bank stadium (Flickr photo: Uncle Kick-Kick)

The Star Tribune's Mike Kaszuba says the negotiations over the TCF Bank stadium lease for two Vikings seasons was more than just a Coke vs. Pepsi dispute. He reports today that the school and the team actually threatened to walk away from negotiations before the deal was signed last year. The U even feared the team wasn't going to make its first payment, a six figure sum to fund planning and design to accomodate NFL games.

Nonetheless, the two sides came together and signed a deal to move the Vikings to campus while their new home is being built.

The Vikings are expected to pay about $5 million annually in game-day expenses, as well as another $3 million annually in rent. The team agreed to contribute another $125,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to help ease the impact on surrounding businesses and residents.

Ground breaking on the new Vikings stadium is scheduled for Tuesday morning.

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