With debate looming over tax subsidies for a new Minnesota United FC soccer stadium, one lawmaker is proposing a creative solution: let the public buy a stake in the team.

State Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, is introducing a bill that would provide for public ownership of the franchise. Fans could buy stock in different tiers and vote on some governance issues, while the existing ownership group or another private consortium would hold a controlling interest and run the day-to-day operations.

“The simplest way of saying it is it’s the Green Bay Packers model,” she said.

That shareholder-owned franchise is the only major American professional sports team of its kind.

Kahn hasn’t talked to the team about the proposal, and the team said it had no involvement in the idea. Kahn also said she doesn’t expect the bill to get serious consideration with just two weeks to go in this year’s legislative session; rather, she’s hoping to lay the groundwork for future consideration.

“You introduce the bill and it starts the conversation,” she said.

In addition to anchoring the team in the community, Kahn said public ownership could help smooth over the issue of public subsidies for the proposed downtown Minneapolis stadium that comes part and parcel with the team’s move into Major League Soccer.

The team has said it will pay for the $150 million stadium and $100 million MLS expansion fee with private money, but it is seeking a state tax exemption on construction materials and local property tax breaks.

Those requests have been met with resistance from state and local lawmakers. Team owner Bill McGuire told Minnesota Public Radio last month that it would be “very difficult to build the stadium” or make the team economic viable without the tax breaks.

He said he was open to public ownership or control of the stadium — the mechanism through which Target Center, Target Field and the new Vikings stadium avoid property taxes.

Kahn’s proposal would take the public’s role a step further. She said the stadium “would be part of the package” in a publicly owned team.

A state representative since 1972, Kahn put forth similar public ownership ideas for both the Twins and Vikings during their respective stadium debates. Those did not succeed.

Marino Eccher can be reached at 651-228-5421. Follow him at twitter.com/marinoeccher.