File - In this file artists rendering released May 13, 2013, by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and the Minnesota Vikings is the new Minnesota Vikings stadium. Minnesota Viking season tickets will come at an average cost of $2,500 in the new building. The ticket licenses cover three-quarters of the building's 65,000 seats, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority revealed Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/HKS Sports and Entertainment Group, File) (The Associated Press)
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The 30-year lease that binds the Minnesota Vikings to their soon-to-be-built stadium gives the team plenty of money-making opportunities. But it also discourages owners from cashing in on a quick franchise sale once the publicly subsidized building opens.
A windfall clause is among many fine-print details in the 222-page agreement signed by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority late last week. It would entitle Minnesota public partners to a cut of the profits from a sudden team sale.
The Vikings will owe annual rent to the authority, but the team benefits from a valuable naming-rights arrangement.
For the 350-plus non-football days, the stadium can be used for everything from rock concerts to amateur sports. Not permitted are events featuring sales of guns, adults-only entertainment and periodicals and pawn-shop style offerings.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.