N.Y./N.J. Super Bowl in 2008 may not come to pass
Tue Sep 23, 2003
By Tom Pedulla,
USA TODAY
New York-New Jersey, once a sentimental favorite to land the 2008 Super Bowl after 9/11, no longer might be a viable candidate.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue questioned whether representatives from that area, who are stalemated over renovations to Giants Stadium, will be in position to join Arizona, Tampa and Washington, D.C., in making presentations when owners vote Oct. 29-30 in Chicago.
Washington may essentially win by default if owners decide the concept of playing the game at a northern outdoor venue is cool rather than chilling.
"The commissioner has told our owner he would love to see the Super Bowl in Washington or New York," Washington Redskins (news) chief operating officer David Pauken said. "If there are challenges in New York, it would be helpful to us, certainly."
The obstacles are so great in New York-New Jersey that Giants executive vice president John Mara raised the prospect of going to court if there is no movement to respond to the team's view of a lease that was extended 10 years in 1995 and now will last until 2026. In exchange for the added years, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority agreed to maintain the 80,242-seat stadium so it would be comparable to state-of-the-art venues.
"We don't want to have to resort to legal action to enforce it under the lease. That would be the last straw," Mara said. "But if it comes to that, so be it."
George Zoffinger, head of the NJSEA, is aware that a breakthrough is needed before owners meet next month to determine the 2008 Super Bowl site, among other business. But, he said, "We don't have to have the Super Bowl in 2008. Maybe we can have it in a later year."
Mara is not so sure there will be a second chance. "We are missing a big opportunity," he said.
Renovations that could make New York-New Jersey a serious player for Super Bowl XLII would cost an estimated $290 million. Zoffinger balks at that, saying he is engaged in a familiar confrontation between the public and private sector.
"We're in the same battle where taxpayers basically say that if wealthy team owners want to make improvements to increase revenue, they should do so with their own money."
Meanwhile, Mara knows time is beginning to work against New York-New Jersey if it is to receive consideration for 2008.
"The league has made it clear for some time that in order for us to be considered for a Super Bowl, Giants Stadium needed to be renovated and updated," he said. "I'm not sure they will allow us to make a presentation at the end of October.
"I am fairly sure there is no chance to get a Super Bowl without a renovation agreement in place."
The Jets are focused on building a stadium on Manhattan's west side that eventually could make an ideal Super Bowl venue since it would have a retractable roof. They are not involved in negotiations.
The Giants want more club seats, wider concourses to accommodate more concession stands and more restrooms. They are willing to pay for that in exchange for the right to operate the stadium and keep the vast majority of all revenue.
Zoffinger stressed that public money was utilized before Giants Stadium opened in 1976 and in upgrades since.
"We do want to have the Super Bowl and we want good relations with the Giants," he said. "But it cannot be at taxpayers' expense."
Zoffinger noted there is no assurance of attracting a Super Bowl even if he agrees to provide enhancements. He also expressed concern that activities surrounding the big game might be held in New York and therefore not bring much business or attention to the host state.
"I will not mortgage our future for a four-hour football game," Zoffinger said.
In contrast, there appear to be no major issues surrounding what Washington offers. According to Pauken, his team's draft proposal was extremely well-received.
"They had very minor comments on our proposal," he said. "I would say we substantially meet every requirement."
Although Pauken said a study of the average temperature in Washington in late January and early February during the last 20 years showed it to be in the mid-40s, he believes the greatest obstacle is convincing owners the Super Bowl can be enjoyed in a parka.
"We're competing with the weather," Pauken said.
www.usatoday.com
Tue Sep 23, 2003
By Tom Pedulla,
USA TODAY
New York-New Jersey, once a sentimental favorite to land the 2008 Super Bowl after 9/11, no longer might be a viable candidate.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue questioned whether representatives from that area, who are stalemated over renovations to Giants Stadium, will be in position to join Arizona, Tampa and Washington, D.C., in making presentations when owners vote Oct. 29-30 in Chicago.
Washington may essentially win by default if owners decide the concept of playing the game at a northern outdoor venue is cool rather than chilling.
"The commissioner has told our owner he would love to see the Super Bowl in Washington or New York," Washington Redskins (news) chief operating officer David Pauken said. "If there are challenges in New York, it would be helpful to us, certainly."
The obstacles are so great in New York-New Jersey that Giants executive vice president John Mara raised the prospect of going to court if there is no movement to respond to the team's view of a lease that was extended 10 years in 1995 and now will last until 2026. In exchange for the added years, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority agreed to maintain the 80,242-seat stadium so it would be comparable to state-of-the-art venues.
"We don't want to have to resort to legal action to enforce it under the lease. That would be the last straw," Mara said. "But if it comes to that, so be it."
George Zoffinger, head of the NJSEA, is aware that a breakthrough is needed before owners meet next month to determine the 2008 Super Bowl site, among other business. But, he said, "We don't have to have the Super Bowl in 2008. Maybe we can have it in a later year."
Mara is not so sure there will be a second chance. "We are missing a big opportunity," he said.
Renovations that could make New York-New Jersey a serious player for Super Bowl XLII would cost an estimated $290 million. Zoffinger balks at that, saying he is engaged in a familiar confrontation between the public and private sector.
"We're in the same battle where taxpayers basically say that if wealthy team owners want to make improvements to increase revenue, they should do so with their own money."
Meanwhile, Mara knows time is beginning to work against New York-New Jersey if it is to receive consideration for 2008.
"The league has made it clear for some time that in order for us to be considered for a Super Bowl, Giants Stadium needed to be renovated and updated," he said. "I'm not sure they will allow us to make a presentation at the end of October.
"I am fairly sure there is no chance to get a Super Bowl without a renovation agreement in place."
The Jets are focused on building a stadium on Manhattan's west side that eventually could make an ideal Super Bowl venue since it would have a retractable roof. They are not involved in negotiations.
The Giants want more club seats, wider concourses to accommodate more concession stands and more restrooms. They are willing to pay for that in exchange for the right to operate the stadium and keep the vast majority of all revenue.
Zoffinger stressed that public money was utilized before Giants Stadium opened in 1976 and in upgrades since.
"We do want to have the Super Bowl and we want good relations with the Giants," he said. "But it cannot be at taxpayers' expense."
Zoffinger noted there is no assurance of attracting a Super Bowl even if he agrees to provide enhancements. He also expressed concern that activities surrounding the big game might be held in New York and therefore not bring much business or attention to the host state.
"I will not mortgage our future for a four-hour football game," Zoffinger said.
In contrast, there appear to be no major issues surrounding what Washington offers. According to Pauken, his team's draft proposal was extremely well-received.
"They had very minor comments on our proposal," he said. "I would say we substantially meet every requirement."
Although Pauken said a study of the average temperature in Washington in late January and early February during the last 20 years showed it to be in the mid-40s, he believes the greatest obstacle is convincing owners the Super Bowl can be enjoyed in a parka.
"We're competing with the weather," Pauken said.
www.usatoday.com
Last edited:
Good job!
