All but a done deal

As of Friday morning about the only thing standing between a new Vikings' stadium and the end of the stadium debate was the governor's signature on the bill that came out of the joint legislative committee. We all know the governor will sign so it appears Zygi Wilf finally got his baby.

I'm sure I speak for the majority  when I say the stadium debate went on a little too long. Check that, a lot too long. We were all sick of it -- both supporters and non-supporters of the new stadium.

It didn't surprise me that the process took a long time, and it didn't even surprise me when some crazy amendments out of left field were tacked on and then rescinded near the end. What did surprise me was the single act that spurred the legislature to take action.

Just when it seemed the bill was dead and the debate was going to continue for another year or two, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell decided to talk to the Minnesota lawmakers and plead the Vikings' case. Granted, having the NFL commissioner come and talk to you is a big deal to an avid football fan, but I didn't expect it to carry so much weight with so many politicians, especially those who rarely watch a game on Sunday.

Perhaps it was just coincidence that the House and Senate kicked into high gear on the stadium issue right after Goodell's appearance. Perhaps they were as sick of the debate as the rest of us were. Still, it seems odd timing for the legislature to finally start tackling the issue seriously right after the commish appeared -- unless the two were connected.

We may never know for sure but the debate is over. The rebuilding process may now resume..