Zygi Says Vikings Will Stay in Minnesota

With the forward momentum on the Los Angeles NFL stadium, talk about who will reside in the new complex is hotter than ever. Teams mentioned as possible tenants include the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers, and Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings' lease at the Metrodome is near its end and the nearly 30 year-old facility doesn't seem to be a viable option for the team.

Serious talk of the Vikings finding a new home has been in the air for about a decade, but the end of the lease nearing and the 2010 roof collapse of the Metrodome has put fire to the feet of both Vikings ownership and state legislators on finding a new solution. A site in Arden Hills has been the focus of the Vikings, and this is the most likely scenario based on news from the team and some legislators.

With the lack of a deal in place, speculation has cranked up on the Vikings being interested in the planned new stadium in Los Angeles. Those rumors have officially been squashed. Owner Zygi Wilf told Fox Sports North he will not be moving the team, saying "The Vikings aren't interested in anything happening in California" and added "We have momentum here in Arden Hills."

Vikings Vice President of Public Affairs Lester Bagley had the following to say about the Arden Hills stadium plan:

We've had a framework of an agreement for months. There are a couple of items to button down, and we're anxious to button down. I think the governor is willing to proceed. We can just make the case we think there's a compelling reason to complete it this fall.

The Vikings' plan in Arden Hills is met with resistance from some legislators and individuals who believe the proposed site is not viable due to the extra infrastructure investments necessary to make the Arden Hills site work, versus something on the current Metrodome location or elsewhere.

In the meantime, Vikings fans can rest assured the team won't be leaving for California anytime soon. It is just a matter of figuring out the details of a new home for the team in Minnesota.

Source: Fox Sports North