MN Gov: State funding for Vikings stadium could be a problem

Proposed Stadium/Courtesy: vikings.com

((ht: pioneerpress.com))

It appears that all is not rosy in the state of Minnesota when it comes to the plan to finance the states part of the Vikings new stadium.

According to a published report this weekend, state house legislators had worked out a compromise bill that would raise the money needed to pay off their part of the deal by using what are called "Tipboards".

We will profess our general lack of knowledge and skill when it comes to the proverbial games of chance. In other words, we really don't know what a "Tipboard" is. Whatever they are, according to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, they are apparently illegal.

From what we could gather on the internets, tipboards are essentially like buying a numbered square in a checkerboard game. For example if you had the number 3 on the vertical side and 0 on the other and the score after the 1st quarter is 13-10, then you win.

Oh, you have to pay for the square 1st. And apparently, the state believes they can raise a substantial amount of money this way.

Read the PioneerPress.com story which explains it better, RIGHT HERE

Okay.

Proposed Stadium Complex/Courtesy: vikings.com

We respect the fact the state is desperately trying to come up with a way to pony up money for a new stadium. But we'll be honest here (and a bit political--sorry), in the current climate, states, counties, cities and the feds all are claiming they need to either cut back or stop spending. But yet they will spend countless millions on something like this. And no, nobody is going to want a tax increase to fund it. And what will end up happening is city or state services will have to cut services further to pay for it. Which is great if you want such a thing, but not everybody does.

Okay, sorry for the political rant. We are just really cynical of governments that on one hand claim they have no money for anything, but on the other hand can find a way to fund a $300+ million stadium that only a small percentage of the populace will get to use. And yes, we understand if they won't build it,someone else will, that doesn't change the problem...it just relocates it.

Here's Jeff Goldberg with more from an indoor location...
((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

Vikings Stadium New Images Released: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Here's John Croman at the capital...
((HT: KARE-TV))

LPGA Major Decided After 1-Foot Miss

((HT: Golfer's World/Golf Channel/LPGA))

We've all done this before on our cow pasture courses we play on...

Now, we've seen it in a major...

IK Kim had the chance to clinch the Dinah Shore with the following putt at 18...


Sun Young Yoo would win the tourney on the first playoff hole for her first major title.

Kim was asked about the putt: "Sometimes things happen, and it's kind of tough because it's Nabisco, and hopefully I'll have better or more chances."

DEVELOPING: Arkansas' Petrino hospitalized after motorcycle accident

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, Esq.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark --  University of Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident last night.

Here's the statement from Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler:

"Arkansas State Police was notified of a single vehicle motor vehicle crash along Highway 16 in Madison County near the Crosses community about 6:45 last night (Sunday). The crash involved a motorcycle that had left the roadway. Coach Petrino was the operator of the motorcycle. He was transported to a Washington County medical facility."

Crosses is about 23 miles southeast of Fayetteville, where the University of Arkansas is located.

OSG HQ does think it strange that no one has released what hospital he's in, his condition, or much of anything else...

A source close to Petrino told ESPN's Joe Schad the coach is "pretty banged up" but "will recover." The 51-year-old is focused and determined to return to practice as quickly as possible, but it could take some time for him to recover, the source also told the Four Letter. 

Petrino's been into bikes for awhile now, learning how to ride when he was a kid in Montana. He even has a big Harley with the nickname "Hogwild" emblazoned on the side.

Zack Higbee, a spokesman for Petrino, would not comment or confirm to NBC Sports today that the coach was involved in the crash.

Robbie Neiswanger, reporter who covers the Razorbacks for the Arkansas News Bureau, tweeted about the accident. See the image below:

Stay tuned to OSG Sports...we'll report more when we know more...

1400 UPDATE: The school has put out a statement from Coach Petrino's family.

"Coach Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday evening that involved no other individuals. He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Our family appreciates respect for our privacy during the recovery and we are grateful for the thoughts of Razorback fans at this time."

Jeff Long, director of athletics and vice chancellor, said he has been in touch with the Petrinos and added that he will consult with the family to provide additional information at a later time. Until then, there will be no further information or comment on the accident per the Petrinos' request."

Here's the bike... thanks to our friends at KATV-TV

And here's team coverage from our friends at KATV

Toronto TV Anchor Slams Home Town Team On The Air

((HT: CTV))

This is what happens when the media in a town that lives and dies by the sport of hockey has had enough...

And the HQ is being kinder than kind...
CTV's Lance Brown went off...


That, regardless of jounalistic content, is passion...
The HQ wishes that some folks in their home town would have gone in the same direction...

Just once...

Reutimann Causes Caution, Newman Wins Martinsville

((HT: NASCAR on Fox/NASCAR.com/youtube))

Okay... weird doesn't begin to describe the ending of the Martinsville race Sunday afternoon.

Here's the short version...


Reutimann would go on the post-race show and apologize profusely saying that he would never intentionally come to a dead stop on the track. But his car gave up the ghost and he had missed the entrance to pit road before he could get back around to get fixed.

AJ Allmendinger was runner-up...

Pens-Flyers Finish A Preview Of Playoffs...??? (UPDATED WITH FINES)

((HT: NBC/NHL))

If points fall a certain way, the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia game could be a playoff preview. If it was a preview, then we're in a for a good one.

On day two of a back-to-back, Philadelphia spotted the Pens a 2-0 lead, but behind a four-goal 3rd period the Flyers beat the Penguins 6-4.

So what...? You say... the game got chippy and then boiled over with a little over a minute to go thanks to Joe Vitale...

Here's the edited ending...


Nothing like coaches finger-pointing at one another. And, as always, one is high-strung and the other looks at the first one thinking that Coach #1 is full of it...

The Second Season is only a week-and-a-half away...

MONDAY UPDATE: Laviolette has been fined $10,000 and Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Tony Granato was fined $2,500 for the dust-up...

Report: Duke and UNC to SEC?

 ((ht: dukebasketballreport.com))

You know, on April fools day, we feel a bit reluctant to report on something that is borderline incredulous to believe.

But on some levels, it sort of makes some sense.

The website "DukeBasketballReport" is reporting that the SEC is prepared to cut the heart out of the ACC...and it could happen really soon.

They quote sources that tell them the SEC is preparing to pilfer both Duke and North Carolina within the next few days.

And yes, like we said, we know this is April Fools day, so we are a bit skeptical. And if this site is pulling everyone's collective leg...well, them's fightin words.

Read the entire story from DukeBasketballReport RIGHT HERE

So...what do you think? On several levels, it would make sense. They are the two basketball "Powers" in the conference. And with the expanded ACC Footprint, they lose some identity. Sure, in football, Duke at least is over-matched. But North Carolina isn't.

But according to the story and it would be the only way something like this makes any sense for both schools, the SEC and commissioner Mike Slive, is that it is a basketball move, a move to help balance Kentucky and Florida who, realistically, have been the only 2 reasonably good teams in the conference for several years.

In the meantime, the jury is out on this one...