Wild owner Craig Leipold pitched the plans to the House Capital Investment Committee on Thursday. Lawmakers were hesitant about the upfront cost of covering the renovations, including self-proclaimed Wild ‘super fan,’ Rep. Marj Fogelman (R – Fulda).

A proposal for major upgrades to the Xcel Energy Center complex in downtown St. Paul has a steep price tag at nearly $770 million, and supporters of the project hope the Legislature will pick up half the tab.

The costs for renovations are estimated at $769 million. The city is asking the state to pay for half of those costs, with the Minnesota Wild owner funding 30% and the city putting forward the other 20%. City officials said this is its top priority for the 2025 legislative session.