Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings

Oftentimes when sports franchises and teams build new stadiums in a city, it comes at a massive financial burden to the city or the community, if it’s a publically-funded project. That was the case for the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium – but the team is making a major move that will save taxpayers a fortune.

As Front Office Sports reports, the Minnesota Vikings are saving $226 million in taxpayer money as they have paid off their debt on the new stadium construction 23 years ahead of schedule.

“The legislation will retire $377 million in outstanding stadium bonds for Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium by the end of June — wiping out debt scheduled to be paid off in 2046 and saving Minnesota taxpayers $226 million in interest,” Front Office Sports wrote on Wednesday.

“The stadium, which opened in 2016 and hosted the NFL’s Super Bowl LII in 2018, cost slightly more than $1.1 billion to build. The Vikings and other private sources paid about $620 million, with the state and city combining to supply around $500 million,” Front Office Sports wrote.

It’s a massive move that should help benefit the state, and the sports world had plenty to say about it on Twitter as a result.

It’s safe to say the move has earned the respect of several fans across the country.

[Front Office Sports]