ST. PAUL — The push by the Minnesota Vikings for state money for a new stadium is back on the agenda this week at the Capitol.

The Vikings debuted a full-page newspaper ad over the weekend suggesting that income tax collections from Vikings and visiting players, team employees, and sales tax proceeds in the stadium could make up the state share. That could raise enough to pay a $650 million state share.

Lawmakers would then have to cover the ensuing hole in the state general fund. But at the relatively small cost of about $20 million a year to pay off construction bonds, it would let lawmakers avoid raising new taxes or authorizing expanded gambling.

Two state Senate committees hold a hearing Tuesday to discuss potential locations for the stadium.

 

Vikings: 3K tickets remain for Denver game

The Minnesota Vikings say they have just under 3,000 tickets remaining for their home game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

They have until Thursday at noon to sell the remaining tickets to ensure that the game will be televised locally. The Vikings have sold out 141 straight home games, dating back to the beginning of the 1998 season. That includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

With the team stuck at the bottom of the NFC North at 2-9, there is concern that the sellout streak could end.

One thing the Vikings have going for them this week is their opponent. The Broncos bring high-profile quarterback Tim Tebow and former University of Minnesota star receiver Eric Decker to the Metrodome.

See the Scoreboard for complete NFL standings.