NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is apparently close to announcing what the NFL will be contributing toward the Minnesota Vikings eventual new stadium. The Vikings are one of the teams rumored to be on the short list for a potential relocation to Los Angeles and the new Farmers Insurance Stadium. However, a bill is making its way through Minnesota's state legislature to potentially build a $1.1 billion stadium in Arden Hills. There are some disputes and the state has said it won't contribute more than $300 million.
I need to do more research on this as it relates to the 49ers, but right now I'm a bit confused by the NFL's intent to already know what it will contribute when last I heard, the league couldn't contribute new money at this point. The 49ers are trying to build a new stadium in Santa Clara and given the finances of California and its counties, there isn't much in the way of public money for the 49ers new stadium.
I find myself wondering whether league money is going to be contingent on the 49ers agreeing to split the stadium with the Raiders. Whether it be a 50-50 split, a sublease, or whatever, getting the Raiders to help foot the bill would go a long way towards getting a stadium done. And having the 49ers and Raiders down in the South Bay would split the difference in terms of East Bay, South Bay, and San Francisco/peninsula fan access.
I know some folks want nothing to do with the Raiders, but financially there really isn't a better plan at this point. In the meantime, I'm going to poke around and see if I can find more about any NFL contributions to the 49ers new stadium plan.