U.S. Bank Stadium

[Didier]

The $351 would include money from seat licenses, naming rights etc. So not necessarily their own funds.

[Rich]

2005 - Vikings purchased for $600 million
2012 - Vikings worth $831 million before stadium deal
2014 - Vikings worth $1,150 million.

$600 million purchase price + $551 million stadium contribution = $1,151 million. Add to that the Wilfs $13 million annual contribution to stadium operating costs. If Zygi lives another 20 years, he’ll have spent over $1.4 billion of his own funds.

To Didier, I'd agree on naming rights. But aren't seat licenses just ticket sales? Why doesn't that count as Wilf's money, earned from the sale of his product (the NFL)?

[gpete]

What's your point, Rich? Regardless of the size of his personal contribution, I'd wager that he's coming out ahead in this deal. Are you arguing otherwise?


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[grant1simons2]

What's is anyone's point of arguing at this point? We get it. You're mad at Zygi and the deal should've been different, but it's over now and the stadium is being built.

[MNdible]

For me, I get a little chapped when, every time Zygmunt (and it was the same with the Pohlads before) chips in a few extra million dollars, it gets reported as if it's a big magnanimous gesture. And it's not, in part because the owners got such a good deal in the first place, and in part because must of the additions are things that will be directly driving more profits to their pockets.

[seanrichardryan]

Wasn't there a separate thread for stadium kvetching?

[Rich]

What's your point, Rich? Regardless of the size of his personal contribution, I'd wager that he's coming out ahead in this deal. Are you arguing otherwise?

Nope. I’m sure Wilf will make lots of money. There was a question as to whether the Wilfs have contributed ANY of their own money, and then a complaint that their contribution was small in comparison to the growth in the value of the team. I was just responding to that.

[J2K]

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/phot ... 0f6d349e62

The snow melting/drainage system is going up on the east side of the stadium. The zinc cladding looks good imo.
Is the cladding on the rest of the stadium going to be the same? If so, we have our first look!

[mister.shoes]

I did read somewhere that the cladding is the same as the snow deflector, yes. It's darker and, dare I say, more sinister-looking than I expected. I thought it would be more of a steely gray.

[seanrichardryan]

My first thought too. Dark.

[SixOneTwo]

It is much lighter when in the sun, but certainly darker than the renderings. IMHO it looks nice, but I anticipate a lot of negative reaction on this site.

[nBode]

This is the final cladding for the entire stadium; yes. I also believe hearing that the color will change/lighten a bit over time. (Went on a tour about a month ago)

[min-chi-cbus]

Are all sides going to be clad in that color? I really like it! It's dark but ominous.....intimidating for our opponents.

[grant1simons2]

Some of the new glass installed as well

Glass installed at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium - Imgur by grant.simons, on Flickr

[seanrichardryan]

I didn't immediately scroll down and thought 'WOW, this IS ultra-clear glass.' Duped.

[grant1simons2]

Bye 5th St! You won't be missed

[J2K]

My most hated triangles on Earth will soon be gone!! Not to mention those god awful signs that remain from the Metrodome. I can't wait for those to come down too.

[Nathan]

I didn't immediately scroll down and thought 'WOW, this IS ultra-clear glass.' Duped.

Bird Brain.

[Chip Whitley]

I went to the Vikings Preview Center tonight and was surprised how quickly they chopped up 5th Street. 5th St. will be completely gone in 2-3 days at the rate they're working.

[J2K]

The tower crane inside the NW corner of the stadium is almost gone. Only a couple sections left to remove. They will be adding a couple of the "queens" trusses for the roof on the NW corner next according to the 4D video that was released last fall.