Stadium debate heads into final innings

A critical, final phase in the big-bucks fight over three new sports stadiums took shape Thursday amid suggestions that the Minnesota Vikings are struggling to stay in contention.

The House and Senate selected their negotiators to work out a deal on professional sports stadiums. Meanwhile, University of Minnesota boosters brought in star players and a famous football alumnus to make the case for an on-campus stadium.

The differences are stark: The House approved a standalone Twins ballpark bill, paid for in large part with a higher Hennepin County sales tax. The Senate's version would build new stadiums for the Twins and Vikings, relying on a metrowide sales tax that would also fund transit projects.

Both chambers have independent Gopher stadium plans, although a technical glitch in how the bills were passed has left the plans in limbo while legislative leaders search for a way out.

The combined cost of the three stadiums exceeds $1.5 billion, and a sizable chunk would come from taxpayers.

The slate of five negotiators appointed by House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, to work on the pro sports stadiums was telling. Vikings cheerleaders were noticeably absent.

Rep. Andy Westerberg, the sponsor of a Vikings stadium bill, said he lobbied for a chair at the table but was denied.

"I'm frustrated as all hell. It just doesn't seem right," said Westerberg, R-Blaine. "It stops us from being able to promote why the Vikings deserve to be included."

Sviggum said he's not ruling out a vote on a Vikings plan this year, but he doesn't think the team's proposal currently has the votes to pass the House.

"They're in the game, but their game is in the second inning as opposed to the eighth inning," he said.

Three of the House negotiators live in Hennepin County, where the Twins ballpark would be built and where a proposed sales tax would fall. Senate negotiators include two Hennepin County and one Anoka County legislator among the five.

Lawmakers have until next weekend to work out compromises because of rules prohibiting them from passing legislation on the session's final day, which is May 22.

As for the university, a conference committee can't be named until legislative leaders fix a procedural problem with how the House and Senate bills fit together. The solution may require one chamber or the other to pass its version again.

The university held a Capitol rally attended by four players on last year's squad and 1970s era quarterback Tony Dungy.

Dungy, the coach of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, earlier met with legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Dungy's stints in Indianapolis and Tampa Bay have coincided with construction of new pro football stadiums.

"I'm two for two and looking forward to this being the third," Dungy said.

Both House and Senate bills would result in a $248 million, open-air stadium built on the edge of the Minneapolis campus.

The Senate's approach envisions a 13 percent tax on sports memorabilia sold at wholesale level, to fulfill a state obligation that would amount to nearly $13 million annually over 25 years. The university would raise $75.3 million privately.

The House bill endorses a $35 million naming rights deal with TCF Bank, a $50 annual student fee and a land swap giving the state rights to 2,800 acres of pristine land in Dakota County. The state's annual payments would be up to $9.4 million a year for 25 years.

University president Robert Bruininks told the rally that the stadium needs to pass this year or the project's costs will rise and private donations will be put in doubt.

"We need your help. Don't give up," he implored. "You win the game in the last quarter and this is the last quarter."