Well, good bye to MLS in MN.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/150646225.html

So it's a bit complicated but from everything I could figure (yes, I was watching it) the State Senate added an amendment tonight, striking the MLS exclusivity portion for the Wilfs.

What exactly this means is unclear, but I am guessing there would not be a lot of incentive anymore for the Wilfs to bring a team in as (again I'm assuming here) that they would no longer get to use the facility rent free.

The argument that had come up in both the House and now the Senate was if the Wilfs were willing to put forth $40 million for a MLS franchise (yes, we know its actually a lot more than that) and if they are paying such a big chunk of money for the stadium, why wouldn't we want the Wilfs to bring in a MLS team and get their rent free since they will be bringing in even more business to the city of Mpls and State of MN by having another 20+ dates in the stadium.

The argument against was that it was a monopoly, which in essence it was.

I'm not sure if that means they can still add it back in during committee but I doubt it. I'm just not sure it has enough interest from anyone to go to support it.

On the bright side, the odds that someone might want to buy the Stars went up a little bit.

So I've also been in contact with our friend Demko who is at the capitol. I asked him the question concerning my last paragraph from above. I guess I need a refresher course in politics 101, but because it was approved in the House the MLS portion is still alive even though the Senate struck it down. I guess if the stadium bill actually makes it through the senate the MLS clause would then have to be decided in committee. (I think I said that right)

If they screw up the rest of the stadium and the Vikings leave the Stars will be an amazing investment. #onlyfutbolintown

Just got clarification from Vikes PR person Jeff Anderson. He confirmed with me that indeed the MLS portion will still have a chance in conference committee IF the bill passes the Senate tonight.

It's almost as if the more closely you watch the government do its work, the less likely you are to really understand what is real. I think that works to the advantage to the reps and senators who have the real power in this bill and are really running the show outside the public's view where most of the real deals happen.

I think the founding fathers used to call it a government run by the people for the people. I have no idea what they would call what happens in government now?

What comes out of the committee at this point is a guess at best, but I think it will be much more like how the bill started with both sides giving up some things.

One question is: what does anyone in the government gain by killing that portion of the bill? What would they trade (keep in some extra cost to the vikings) to put the MLS part back in for Zigy (give more potential future profit for Zigy)?

Another question is: how big of a priority is the MLS team to Zigy? What does he think a future MLS team's worth will be to him someday? I don't think we will know that until the whole thing is done.

The MLS part of the bill is a large future benefit to the owners, the state, the city and the local businesses There is risk involved (only to the owner) and the future profits are not that clear in todays world. There really is no downside to letting him try to start another sport in a location that is being built for the sole reason of the public users having a bit of fun in their lives over the next 30 years.

More is better!

Well, it's Senator Warren Limmer of Maple Grove who took out the MLS exclusivity clause. Thanks BQ for checking on the other parts.

To me, it's not a monopoly. It gives the Vikes 5 years to bring a team in and the incentive is that it's rent free.
I was thinking apocalyptically at first about this clause being stricken, but do you think there is a bright side to this? If the MLS parts are taken out, then anyone can come in with an MLS team (meaning, the Vikes will have to compete for it) and having to pay rent means that it'll be harder to take the team for granted by just watching money roll in and never spending any.
That's the best happy side of this.
Obviously, we're not going to get the dream situation of an individual owner coming in and bringing a shiny SSS with him/her, but hopefully we can get something here.

At 11:45 tonight the Minnesota State Senate approved a new Vikings stadium. Details will now need to be hammered out between House and Senate members. As stated previously, the MLS portion of the bill could very well end up back in the bill...or not. The drama continues.