Proposed Minnesota Vikings Stadium Bill Would Impose a State Sports Memorabilia Tax

Content Originally Published by The Cardboard Connection on Thursday, April 28, 2011.

The Minnesota Vikings thought their worst problem last season was Brett Favre until the roof of the Metrodome literally caved in. The footage of snow and ice crashing onto the field let the entire nation know what the Vikings’ fans have known for years. The Vikings need a new stadium. The latest plan to raise money for Minnesota fans through a memorabilia tax.

A proposed bill from the Minnesota Department of Revenue will add a 10% tax to all sports memorabilia sold within the state of Minnesota to help pay for the new stadium. This would not just apply to Vikings memorabilia, but any sports collectibles sold throughout the state, including NASCAR and pro-wrestling.

The State of Minnesota plans to contribute a third of the estimated $700 to $900 million price tag of the proposed stadium. The State estimates of the $29.5 million they would have to contribute in 2015, $17.6 million would come from the memorabilia tax. Here is a breakdown of where Minnesota will come up with the rest:

• $7.8 million from a 5 percent surcharge on the income that Vikings players and their opponents make when playing in the new stadium
• $2.1 million from a special Vikings-themed lottery game
• $1.39 million from a 6.5 percent sales tax on direct satellite TV services, including DVR
• $650,000 from a 6.5 percent sales tax on suite, box seat and sky box rentals at the new stadium