Mike Vekich, chair of the MSFA, said the stadium has met or exceeded “all promises and original intentions for the venue as an economic engine for the state of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis.”
But many sports economists, including J.C. Bradbury of Georgia’s Kennesaw State University, are skeptical of the long-term impact. Bradbury says sports facilities typically shift spending already occurring in the community, rather than bring in lots of new money.
“There really doesn’t seem to be much policy justification at all for stadium subsidies,” Bradbury said.
This isn’t the only sports facility funding request at the Capitol. The stadium has a separate $30 million request for the next phase of a secure perimeter project.
Time is tight at the Capitol, as the narrowly divided Legislature works to finish the next two-year budget before the required adjournment May 19. Lawmakers may need a special session to complete the spending plan because the government will shut down if one is not in place by the end of June.