6,521.
That is my roughly estimated number of eggs counted over the last decade by Vikings stadium supporters before they hatched.
So, take the latest momentum towards a stadium deal in Minneapolis with a grain of salt or two.
Still, it is encouraging to hear that a preliminary deal has been struck that would place a new Vikings home near the existing site of the Metrodome, and thus keep the purple in gold where they belong.
A preliminary agreement has supposedly been reached that would have the Vikings and the NFL pay $427 million of the costs of the new stadium. The State of Minnesota would be responsible for $398 million while the City of Minneapolis would pay $150 million. Minneapolis would also be responsible for paying the $180 million in operating expenses expected over the next 30 years.
This agreement is not a guarantee, however, as the State Legislature and Minneapolis’ City Council, in addition to the NFL, would have to agree in full to the deal and make it official.
Minnesota’s White Earth Tribe has proposed a casino be placed in the Twin Cities to help pay for the public portion of the financing.
That proposal is similar to the one backed by then-Governor Tim Pawlenty back in 2005 and was shot down by a Senate Committee that faced heavy opposition from anti-gambling groups and competing tribes that already owned casinos in the area.
Nothing is a done deal, and this progress may just be superficial, but superficial progress is still better than none at all.
I hope.