State Supreme Court Asked To Intervene In Vikings Stadium Case

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The public authority overseeing Vikings stadium construction is asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to make the plaintiffs who sued to stop the project post a $50 million bond to show they could cover damages if they lose.

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority filed a motion Monday to intervene in the lawsuit brought by former Minneapolis mayoral candidate Doug Mann and two others. His lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the state's stadium funding plan, and has already delayed a $468 million bond sale.

State officials warn the delay could stall the project's timeline and add costs. A spokesman for the state Budget agency says government legal costs will have to come from stadium funds.

The authority's chairwoman says the lawsuit also threatens a major downtown Minneapolis development near the stadium.