---
May 11, 2008
Houston to hear May 20 whether
game will return
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5770411.html
---
Excerpt:
At the NFL's summer meetings on May 20
in Atlanta, a contingent led by Texans owner
Bob McNair will find out if Houston is get-
ting the 2012 Super Bowl for Reliant Stadium.
Indianapolis and Arizona are the primary com-
petition.
Indianapolis is considered the favorite because
former commissioner Paul Tagliabue told the
city that it might get a Super Bowl if the Colts
got a new stadium.
When it comes to awarding Super Bowls, the
league has looked favorably on voters who
have approved revenue for new stadiums. This
season, the Colts are moving into the new Lucas
Oil Field.
"We did a super job the last time we had one
(XXXVIII), and we'll do an even better job the
next time we get one," McNair said. "You never
know how anybody's going to vote. People who
aren't going to vote for you aren't going to tell
you."
McNair doesn't think it's a big deal that Houston
is trying to get the Super Bowl one year after
Arlington hosts the 2011 Super Bowl.
"I don't think having back-to-back Super Bowls
in Texas is an issue," McNair said. "We've had
back-to-back Super Bowls in Florida, and Texas
is bigger than Florida."
As far as the competition, McNair said: "Phoenix
just had a Super Bowl. Indianapolis has a great
new stadium, no doubt about that. I know I'm
partial, but I just think Houston's a better site.
"During Super Bowl week, the average tempera-
ture in Houston is 30 degrees warmer than Indi-
anapolis. A lot of sponsors tell us they don't want
to go to cold-weather climates. Many of them
come from the north, and they want to get away
from the cold weather.
"We'll see what happens. I know it's going to be
interesting."
Although only one Super Bowl vote is scheduled,
McNair is hoping the owners might award two
cities Super Bowls in Atlanta.
...
--- end excerpt ---
---
May 11, 2008
Local group prepares to pitch Arizona
as 2012 Super Bowl host
Azcentral.com:
http://tinyurl.com/4scmzk
---
Excerpts:
NFL owners received bid books on Thursday
selling Arizona as the ideal spot for the Super
Bowl in 2012.
In about a week, a team from the state will
make their pitch to NFL owners in Atlanta.
Arizona is competing with veteran host Hous-
ton and ambitious newcomer Indianapolis,
which reportedly added a soft touch to its
delivery as kids hand-delivered its bid books.
Indiana's selling point is a $700 million dome,
Lucas Oil Stadium, which the Colts should
christen in August.
Last spring, the Hoosier State fell two votes
short of getting the 2011 Super Bowl, which
went to Dallas.
Owners might be tempted to give it to Indiana
this go-around.
Or they could go for Houston as the league, in
the past, has awarded back-to-back games to the
same state.
In Florida, Tampa will host the Super Bowl in
2009 and Miami in 2010.
...
Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee President
Bob Sullivan said Arizona offers know-how,
statewide support, resorts and sunshine.
"If you want an outdoor Super Bowl experience,
we have it," Sullivan said.
After a slow start securing 19,000 hotel rooms
necessary to bid on a Super Bowl, the bid books
that went to owners showed Valley hoteliers
offered up 19,455 rooms.
"We're excited," Sullivan said.
On May 20, he and a team from the Host Com-
mittee will get 15 minutes to make their pitch to
owners, before passing off to Cardinals President
Michael Bidwill, who will get five minutes to
sell Arizona.
A decision is expected the same day.
--- end excerpts ---
---
May 14, 2008
Committee crunches as Super Bowl
location decision week away
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8326868&nav=menu35_4
---
Excerpts:
Hoosiers are less than a week away from
finding out if the Super Bowl will be in
Indianapolis in 2012.
The city is now putting the final touches
on its presentation and putting its best
foot forward trying to land the big game.
The Circle City barely lost the 2011 Super
Bowl to Dallas but it's in the running again.
...
The winner will be announced in Atlanta
next week after a meeting with all the NFL
team owners. Phoenix and Houston are the
two other cities in the running.
Indianapolis is getting its game plan ready.
...
The Colts are filming around the U.S. and
Europe as part of their video package. They
are also sending gifts to the owners, which
is a bidding tradition.
--- end excerpts ---
