There could be much time saved in the search for a new chairperson of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority if the title were awarded to Les (Wants More) Bagley, Vikings executive vice president for public affairs.
Bagley ran roughshod over the Legislature and Minneapolis politicians in the stadium approval process, and turned the MSFA board and its departed chairwoman, Michele Kelm-Helgen, into bobos for the team during the construction process.
Sometimes The Chairman of the Turkey of the Year Committee shocks even himself with astuteness. Long before it was fashionable to criticize Kelm-Helgen, she was being honored as the first runner-up Turkey in 2014.
There was nothing quite as ridiculous as her tributes — Bagley-inspired, I contend — for the Vikings covering pittances of added stadium costs.
After this kowtowing, Kelm-Helgen couldn't get Bagley to waive a clause in the lease in order to have United FC play its inaugural MLS home game in the publicly financed dome.
This was simple pettiness by the Vikings for losing out to Bill McGuire's group in competition for the MLS team.
On Friday, we learned in the world-renowned Randball blog that the University of Minnesota had decided not to give the same advantages to United as a tenant as it had for the Vikings. There would be no tailgating for the 17 soccer home games.
The Vikings spent two seasons at TCF Bank Stadium and their tailgaters could party to their "hey, look out for that vomit'' content in the nearby university lots. And now … no tailgating for soccer?
The absurdity of this apparently struck a chord at the university. On Saturday, I was contacted by Steve Henneberry, an assistant public relations official at university, with this message about United's desire to have tailgating:
"The University and United are working to identify some options for how this could be accomplished.''
Very good, and it shouldn't be that tough, with 14 games on weekends, one on July 4th and two on Wednesday nights in the summer.
PLUS THREE FROM PATRICK
Refreshing NBA unpredictability:
Miami: Dwyane Wade bails for Chicago, the Heat is 11-30 at halfway point, and now it has won 14 of 16 and is within three games of seventh-place Bulls.
Washington: The Wizards are 9-14 on Dec. 12, then 19-19, and enter the All-Star break on a 15-2 run and third in the East.
Houston: Mike D'Antoni seems to be goofiest coaching hire of offseason. Then, he converts James Harden to point guard and Rockets are third in West at 40-18.
