Vikings Stadium Could Create 13,400 Jobs

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission says a new Minnesota Vikings stadium would create approximately 13,400 jobs, and an estimated economic impact of $1.35 billion.

The commission presented the findings of its economic impact analysis at the State Capitol on Monday.

Though the commission wasn’t speaking on behalf of the Vikings, its report comes as the team is trying to push the stadium project as a job creator in a weak economy.

Governor Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders say they don’t plan to put public money toward a stadium when the state faces a deficit of at least $4.8 billion for 2010-11.

Of the 13,400 jobs created, about 8,000 would go to tradespeople during the building process; and $577 million, more than half of the roughly $1 billion in construction costs, would go toward wages and salaries for construction workers.

Once the stadium opens, it would generate annual direct spending of $145 million, including spending by fans, the Vikings organization, players, staff, visiting teams and the NFL in connection with games and operations.

It also would generate more than $32 million per year in tax revenue. That compares to the roughly $18 million a year currently generate by the Vikings.

Conventions Sports & Leisure International conducted the economic impact analysis for the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which has advocated for a new Vikings stadium on the current site of the Metrodome.