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I am going to set out to write this opinion and confess up front that to this point I haven’t cared one way or the other.
After hearing some coffee shop talk, I decided to come back and clear my mind and write my way through my thoughts asking the question: “What difference would it really make to Minnesota, and especially greater Minnesota, if there were no Vikings, Twins, etc. ?” The majority I talk to maybe attend one or two games each year so I don’t think that factor has much to do with it.
I have listened to all the arguments about how it is all just big business. That’s true, it is big business. I for one am concerned about business in Minnesota whether it be Greater Minnesota or Metropolitan. Business in Minnesota trickles down to everyone of us and eventually impacts our wallets and purses. For example I learned today that just in state income tax professional athletes in Minnesota pay $12 million per year (I bet it is higher). That’s like the money we lost during the government shut down to lotto sales and park fees, it is money gone and never to be seen again. If there were no professional athletes claiming residency in Minnesota that would be lost revenue never to be replaced. Who would have to replace it ... all of the rest who stay here. It has to come from some place and there is no other place.
I know someone has researched it, but just using common sense, I know there are several other industries, large and small, related to Viking football in Minnesota. I also can safely assume that not all of these are located within easy driving distance of wherever a new stadium would ultimately end up. This aspect does have bearing on all of Minnesota. It may not personally impact me, but I am sure I know someone who knows someone who knows someone, and on and on, who indeed are impacted and this has a way of coming back to each one of us.
Then there is just the matter of having professional teams in our state. I have lived in a state, Nebraska, that does not have one professional team of any sort. It’s boring! As great as the Nebraska Huskers are, it only goes so far! Win or lose, I think there would be a huge void if we did not have the Vikings, the Twins and so on.
Of course there is also the matter of what all the Monday morning quarterbacks would do on Monday. Coffee Shops, morning breakfast hangouts, the deli at Paul’s Food Pride and SuperFair could potentially be empty, hence loss of revenue.
Think about all the sports writers, sports editorials that would not have the Vikings to poke fun at. What about the poor folks in Wisconsin? How could a person who wears a big slice of cheese on their head feel superior to anyone if it weren’t for Viking fans in Minnesota? Get real we boost their ego and elevate their self-image! Go Vikings!
I am going to set out to write this opinion and confess up front that to this point I haven’t cared one way or the other.
After hearing some coffee shop talk, I decided to come back and clear my mind and write my way through my thoughts asking the question: “What difference would it really make to Minnesota, and especially greater Minnesota, if there were no Vikings, Twins, etc. ?” The majority I talk to maybe attend one or two games each year so I don’t think that factor has much to do with it.
I have listened to all the arguments about how it is all just big business. That’s true, it is big business. I for one am concerned about business in Minnesota whether it be Greater Minnesota or Metropolitan. Business in Minnesota trickles down to everyone of us and eventually impacts our wallets and purses. For example I learned today that just in state income tax professional athletes in Minnesota pay $12 million per year (I bet it is higher). That’s like the money we lost during the government shut down to lotto sales and park fees, it is money gone and never to be seen again. If there were no professional athletes claiming residency in Minnesota that would be lost revenue never to be replaced. Who would have to replace it ... all of the rest who stay here. It has to come from some place and there is no other place.
I know someone has researched it, but just using common sense, I know there are several other industries, large and small, related to Viking football in Minnesota. I also can safely assume that not all of these are located within easy driving distance of wherever a new stadium would ultimately end up. This aspect does have bearing on all of Minnesota. It may not personally impact me, but I am sure I know someone who knows someone who knows someone, and on and on, who indeed are impacted and this has a way of coming back to each one of us.
Then there is just the matter of having professional teams in our state. I have lived in a state, Nebraska, that does not have one professional team of any sort. It’s boring! As great as the Nebraska Huskers are, it only goes so far! Win or lose, I think there would be a huge void if we did not have the Vikings, the Twins and so on.
Of course there is also the matter of what all the Monday morning quarterbacks would do on Monday. Coffee Shops, morning breakfast hangouts, the deli at Paul’s Food Pride and SuperFair could potentially be empty, hence loss of revenue.
Think about all the sports writers, sports editorials that would not have the Vikings to poke fun at. What about the poor folks in Wisconsin? How could a person who wears a big slice of cheese on their head feel superior to anyone if it weren’t for Viking fans in Minnesota? Get real we boost their ego and elevate their self-image! Go Vikings!
