Columnist proposes lottery for new Vikings stadium

Comment #3

CAL-LottoPlayer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:55:14 GMT

I agree with both of the above posts. It is extortion and they do like to shop around. If a team wants to stay in a city, let them build their own stadium. These franchises make millions and the team owners are typically billionaires. Typically, the jobs they provide are lower-end jobs so there's no argument there either. I can think of a dozen better ways to spend money than on a sports team.

Comment #2

bashley572 — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:51:33 GMT

Kinda like large companies that 'shop' around for which community will offer the best 'deal' on taxes incentives.

Comment #1

rdgrnr — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:27:36 GMT

I've always considered this whole scenario a form of extortion. Build me a new stadium or I'm going where somebody else will.

What would they do if nobody built a stadium for them? They'd stay where they are and build it themselves, that's what they'd do. And that's the way it should be.

But since that's not the way it is, I think a lottery would be the next best thing for those who want to bribe the team to stay. At least you're not forcing people who don't want to pay the bribe to pay i... [ More ]

Columnist proposes lottery for new Vikings stadium

Lottery Post — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:41:51 GMT

by James Lileks, Star Tribune

A lottery for a new Vikings stadium? Sure. I'll buy a ticket. Don't know why the governor is opposed to racinos, unless it's opposition to slots. I don't play them it's like giving someone a dollar, asking him to make beeping noises for 10 seconds, then watching him put the dollar in his pocket and walk away. But if you put up a bank of Viking-themed machines, even idiots like myself might play. Sorry, we're talking about gambling: especially idiots like myself,... [ More ]