U.S. Bank Stadium Opening Ceremony

2016-07-22 · Kevin Warren, COO, Minnesota Vikings (Vikings)

U.S. Bank Stadium officially opened after two-and-a-half years of construction. Warren boasted about the stadium being completed early and used superlative claims that would become his signature style.

What he said

Not only did we build the best football stadium ever – in the history of sports – but we did it on time, and not just on time, we did it six weeks early.

The stadium was completed in two-and-a-half years. This will be a venue for families to come together, a regional asset, and a showcase for Minnesota on the world stage.

The product on the field must be excellent. This stadium supports the notion the Minnesota Vikings are doing the right things on and off the field to attract free agents and it's a franchise that will be a long-term player in the NFL.

The fact-check

"Not only did we build the best football stadium ever – in the history of sports – but we did it on time, and not just on time, we did it six weeks early." — Misleading: Completed ahead of schedule is true. "Best stadium ever in history of sports" is unprovable hyperbole. Same confidence projection pattern used with Bears.
"This stadium supports the notion the Minnesota Vikings are doing the right things on and off the field to attract free agents and it's a franchise that will be a long-term player in the NFL." — Rhetoric: Correlation between stadium investment and competitive success is unproven. Many teams with older stadiums remain competitive.