Vikings owner Wilf says he's '100 percent' behind Childress

Wilf carefully worded his desire to solve the financing problem soon.

"We're very, very patient. We're here for the long term. We're not moving the team. We're here. We just want to make sure that everyone understands it's an important issue," he said.

He also stressed that rising construction costs could push the price tag well past the current estimate of $954 million. The Vikings have pledged about $250 million toward that.

"Patience can be very costly and make things prohibitive," Wilf said.

The Vikings plan to push hard for the stadium when the 2008 legislative session begins, but they realize fallout from the bridge collapse will limit their opportunity. Wilf said infrastructure and other issues like education and health care should be priorities for the state, but he stumped for the consideration of stadium funding as important for the "quality of life" in Minnesota.

"I know everyone has the passion for the Vikings to try to get it done," he said.