Minnesota Sports Groups Maneuver For MLS Team

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The jockeying is intensifying for two groups hoping to land a Major League Soccer franchise in Minnesota.

The Vikings' new stadium deal includes a 5-year period when they have sole rights to operate an MLS team in the stadium.

But that doesn't mean an MLS franchise could only go to the Vikings, and a group that includes the Pohlad family - owners of the Twins - and former UnitedHealth Group executive Bill McGuire is interested too.

The latter group is eying a site just west of Target Field in downtown Minneapolis for a new soccer-only stadium.

They could face some obstacles - City Council President Barb Johnson says it doesn't make sense for the city to help pay for that when it's funding a big part of the Vikings stadium.