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 Minnesota Vikings have paid off their debt on U.S. Bank Stadium 23 years early — a move that will save Minnesota taxpayers $226 million in interest.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 30, 2023
“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.
Nice to see a stadium saving taxpayers some 💰 https://t.co/ydWQXjejG0
— Matthew Tabeek (@MatthewTabeek) May 31, 2023
"A dome can never work in Buffalo. How would we pay for it?" https://t.co/sep3SnZfAs
— Bye Jerry Sullivan (@ByGerrySullivan) May 30, 2023
I do not pay taxes there so I'm not going to talk out of pocket. But this seems like a W so I'm hoping we hang the banner and build statues for this. https://t.co/lgZ2qmyVgP
— The Brohioan (@TheBrohioan) May 31, 2023
Remember all those politicians worried about getting the Vikings a new stadium? #crickets
Invest in local culture. #SKOL https://t.co/Wns9qlpF3a
— Jon Peters (@omahajon) May 31, 2023
Well that's a whole new level of respect I just gained for the Vikings https://t.co/3Sy9Nv0ICq
— Blank (@Cagr3n) May 31, 2023
What a nice thing to do! https://t.co/Z5dq0q9i1G
— Chris Russell AKA the 🐓🐓! (@Russellmania621) May 31, 2023
It’s safe to say the move has earned the respect of several fans across the country.