Press Room

Vikings Add $46 Million to Stadium Budget but $0 for Bird-Safe Glass

By Ringer, David
Published August 22, 2014

At today’s Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) board meeting, it was announced that the Minnesota Vikings would contribute an additional $46 million to the construction of the new Vikings Stadium. This pushes the total budget for the new stadium past the billion dollar mark to $1.024 billion. However, funds for bird-safe glass will not be included as part of the $46 million. APP Minnesota Executive Director Matthew Anderson had this to say:

“$46 million dollars but nothing for the birds? This announcement is a slap in the face. A month ago, the Vikings and the MSFA said they didn’t have a million extra dollars in a billion-dollar budget. Today, they said that have an extra $46 million. Are you kidding me?" said Matthew Anderson. “More than 73,000 people have signed a petition asking the Vikings and the MSFA to do the right thing here – and today the team and the stadium authority are changing their story. They've got the money apparently. They just refuse to do what’s right and commonsense.”

Facts & Figures

  • A July to use APP-recommended fritted glass, which would help avoid bird collisions and increase energy efficiency
  • to finance the construction of the stadium
  • Minnesota bond-financed structures to be bird-friendly
  • Minneapolis City Council in support of additional $1.1 million for bird-safe glass for the stadium
  • The Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Sports Facility Authority (MSFA) since the stadium’s designs were approved before the guidelines took effect
  • The MSFA for an additional 1,200 TVs and 6 extra escalators and an for sponsors, suite owners, and season-ticket owners. It will be located across the street from the new stadium.
  • in the US from collisions with buildings, especially glass exteriors
  • APP Minnesota has found dead after colliding with buildings in the state, including species such as the Common Nighthawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and American Robin
  • APP has collected over 73,000 signatures since July 23, urging the MSFA and Vikings to reconsider their decision on the glass used for the new stadium (petition here: )
  • The fritted glass is available from , a Minnesota-based company

Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, 212-979-3068