U.S. Bank Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony

2013-12-03 · Kevin Warren, EVP Legal Affairs & Chief Administrative Officer (Vikings)

After the Minnesota Legislature approved funding in May 2012, the Vikings held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Metrodome site. Warren was instrumental in securing the deal after the Arden Hills site fell through.

What he said

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Minnesota Vikings and our community. We spent almost a year in planning before reaching this moment. Planning is critical.

The biggest thing I learned was the fact that you need to plan before you start digging. What makes U.S. Bank Stadium so special is the thoughtful planning process that brought us here.

This is a natural partnership as both the Vikings and this community are invested in creating something transformational. Our vision goes beyond the new stadium and is truly about developing a regional asset that will serve this community.

The fact-check

"The biggest thing I learned was the fact that you need to plan before you start digging. What makes U.S. Bank Stadium so special is the thoughtful planning process." — Misleading: The planning process was chaotic, with site changes and last-minute legislative deals. "Thoughtful planning" is revisionist framing.
"This is a natural partnership as both the Vikings and this community are invested in creating something transformational." — Rhetoric: False partnership framing identical to Bears communications. The community funds, the team profits.