MINNEAPOLIS -- Vikings VP of Stadium Affairs Lester Bagley faced a barrage of cameras and microphones at the Metrodome Sunday before announcing "30 great seasons, this is the last season on our lease."
Bagley once again told reporters he's encouraged by state lawmakers making progress on the new stadium front and he also said team officials have looked at the Linden site in Downtown Minneapolis. State lawmakers are expected to discuss partially funding the stadium in the coming weeks. "It's no secret we've been contacted by other communities but we've told them that we're encouraged, we're hopeful, we're in position to get it done in Minnesota," Bagley said.
Bagley says the team will not a sign a short term lease at the dome without a stadium deal locked in.
"Essentially after February 1st the Vikings become free agents," Savethevikes.org founder Cory Merrifield said before the game. Merrifield is afraid the league will vote to move the Vikings to another community in February if they don't get a deal done in Minnesota. "I'd love to see them in Minneapolis but if it comes down to Arden Hills or Beverly Hills, I'll gladly take Arden Hills," he said, making a reference towards Los Angeles' bid for an NFL franchise.
One guy who doesn't seem to mind the Metrodome is Vikings super fan Bob Repin, who reached a milestone at the dome during Sunday's Bears game. "Today is 100 consecutive games," he said. 100 straight games, either home or away. "I've been to every single NFL city at least once. I've seen the Vikings beat every team except the Jets," he said with a smile. Repin drives to every single game and he recently upgraded to a Toyota Prius.
What makes Repin's feat even more remarkable is that he lives in Chicago, so home games require a 1,000 mile roundtrip. The Sunday Bears draw also marks his 200th game at the dome, if you include preseason games. As a video freelancer, the fanatic loads up on work over the summer. "All my clients know once we get to football season Sundays are out and I either need Saturday or Monday to travel."
"Some people join a bowling league, I decided I just like going to football games," Repin concluded. Imagine the mileage he would have to put on his Prius if the Vikings did move out of the Midwest.
(Copyright 2012 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)