Tampa Among 4 Vying For 2009 Super Bowl - Dec. 10, 2004
12/10/2004
Tampa Tribune
Dec 10, 2004
By IRA KAUFMAN
ikaufman@tampatrib.com
TAMPA - Tampa was named one of four finalists for the 2009 Super Bowl on Thursday, but Houston has emerged as the front-runner for the event despite serving as host for last season's showcase game.
Atlanta and Miami are also vying to host the '09 game, with a formal announcement expected at an NFL meeting in May.
The Bay area hasn't hosted the Super Bowl since Jan. 28, 2001, when the Ravens trounced the Giants 34-7 before a crowd of 71,921 at Raymond James Stadium.
Tampa Stadium served as the site for Super Bowl XVIII in 1984 and the 25th anniversary game in 1991 between the Giants and Bills.
``We are thrilled that Tampa is one of the finalists to host the Super Bowl in 2009,'' Bucs executive vice president Joel Glazer said. ``Having hosted three previous games, we are excited not only as an organization, but for the entire community for the possible opportunity to once again help showcase the world's premier sporting event.''
The Patriots edged the Panthers 32-29 at Houston's Reliant Stadium on Feb. 1, and league sources indicate the nation's fourth-largest city has quickly vaulted ahead of Tampa, Atlanta and Miami in the Super Bowl rotation.
Houston's Bob McNair is earning a reputation as one of the NFL's most influential owners, although the Texans are completing only their third season, and the Texans' retractable-roof facility impressed league power-brokers.
``We will continue to help promote this wonderful community that we live in and do everything we can to help bring the Super Bowl back to the Bay area,'' Glazer said.
Stadium issues apparently scuttled the New Orleans bid for the 2009 game. The Crescent City, which has served as the backdrop for a record nine Super Bowls, last played host to the Super Bowl in 2002.
The next four Super Bowls are set for Jacksonville, Detroit, Miami and Arizona.
The 2000 game was played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, which also served as host for the 1994 Super Bowl.
The league is expected to announce the 2010 finalists at the May meeting, followed by a vote next fall or in March 2006.
This story can be found at: http://tampatrib.com/sportsnews/MGB2YLKXJ2E.html
