It may have been a first down, but after passing the Minnesota House on Monday night, the Vikings stadium bill still has a long way to go until it reaches the end zone.
"If (owner) Zygi (Wilf) wants a new stadium, in my opinion, Zygi should pay for it," Luverne, Minnesota, resident Thomas Feikema said.
While plenty of fans gathered at the state capitol to rally support for the team on Monday, others in the southwest corner of the state aren't really sure if it's in their best interests.
"We maybe go to a game or two here or there, but we're not going every week like people up in the Cities," Feikema said.
"I don't think they get any opinions from people around here other than our local legislators," Lismore, Minnesota, resident Mark Lenz said. "Obviously, they have a say in it."
Although there may be disagreements over how much money the Vikings should pay or even if a new stadium should be built at all, the one consensus seems to be if the Vikings leave town, Minnesota's economy will suffer.
"Fan support has been tremendous," Lenz said. "If they move to California or wherever, I think the stadium could be empty half the time."
"We all know the Metrodome, being 30 years old, is not a 'wow' facility anymore," Feikema said. "It was when it was built, but not now."
And while the bill may not be perfect in most fans' eyes, when it comes down to the final seconds, a touchdown is within sight.
"It'll get passed somehow," Feikema said. "They'll keep moving it around until it gets through because they don't want the Vikings getting shipped somewhere else."
"I really think they're going to pass it, I do," Lenz said. "The legislature knows what's at stake."
"Whatever they're going to decide, decide it and be done with it and move on," Feikema said.
If the Senate passes its bill, the differences would be worked out in a committee before going back to the House and Senate for a final vote.
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