At around the same time that Tampa city leaders were celebrating the announcement that their burg will host the 2012 Republican National Convention, in New York City, the czars that run the National Football League were accepting the bids of three regions vying for the 2014 Super Bowl - New York City/New Jersey, Miami and Tampa.
NFL owners will decide on May 25.
There is loads of sentiment - as well as bit of homerism from the New York city based media - in the declaration that New York is the favorite. One reason that they will get serious consideration is that of late, the NFL has been rewarding cities who spend hundreds of millions of dollars for new stadiums - and a new facility housing the New York Giants and New York Jets next to the late Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands will be unveiled for the 2010 season in August (For the first time, Dallas will host the big game next year, and Indianapolis in 2012. Both have or will have new stadiums built . Major League Baseball has similarly awarded cities that have built new stadiums by offering them the opportunity to host the all-star game).
According to the Bergen County Record of New Jersey, there's lots of sentiment among the guys that matter - the owners- to have the 2014 game in NYC/NJ.
Several informal media polls give the Meadowlands bid a significant lead, with owners of the Minnesota Vikings (New Jersey real estate developer Zygi Wilf), New England Patriots and Washington Redskins already backing the bid publicly.
One of the two other competing cities, Miami, is said to have little chance because there haven't been stadium improvements made to Sun Life Stadium, conditions that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had requested.
(By the way, in case you're confused, as I was. Sun Life Stadium used to be Land Shark Stadium. Which used to be Dolphin Stadium. Which used to be Pro Player Stadium. Which used to be Joe Robbie Stadium. I'm sure I'm missing another iteration).
Goodell has also spoken effusively about his current home of residence hosting the game? So, NYC/NJ's a sure winner, right?
Not exactly.
