The Super Bowl as a forum for political hospitality is
examined by Karen Branch of the MIAMI HERALD, who writes
under the header, "Super Bowl Good Excuse For Major
Political Party." The Democratic Senatoral Campaign
Committee booked 75 of the 179 rooms at the Mayfair House in
Coconut Grove and will "pick up the tab" for eight senators,
including Committee Chair Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) and Ted
Kennedy (D-MA). Ten congressional members are "expected" at
the National Republican Congressional Committee Super Bowl
"getaway" at Turnberry Isle Resort (MIAMI HERALD, 1/28).
NO FREEBIES: Of the approximately 74,000 seats in Pro
Player Stadium, the NFL is giving away about 50 tickets.
The league sold the rest for $325 or $400 each. NFL VP/
Special Events Jim Steeg: "If you started issuing comps,
there's no end to where you're going to stop." Steeg, on
who receives free tickets: "It's basically the people that
are doing something for us" (PALM BEACH POST, 1/28).
PARTY MAN: Players Inc and 989 Sports will hold their
"Super Bowl of Parties" on South Beach from Friday through
Sunday (Players Inc)....About 2,000 South FL children -- 500
more than "originally expected" -- attended yesterday's
"Coca-Cola's Kids Day at The NFL Experience" in the parking
lot of Pro Player Stadium (MIAMI HERALD, 1/28).
NOTES: Broncos K Jason Elam said he can not "talk Nike
into remaking" the model shoe that he kicks with: "The shoe
that I use is actually a 1988 Nike model. They don't make
it anymore ... I picked it up a department store in Denver
for $8.99" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/28)....Ticket prices for
Sunday's game have "dropped to about $1,250 for the cheap
seats" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/28)....Dave Kearsley of MN
won two Super Bowl tickets for imitating John Facenda's
voice in the NFL Films/Tommy Boy Music competition, in which
over 800 took part. Kearsley will take his father and
"might get an opportunity" to work with NFL Films (ST. PAUL
PIONEER PRESS, 1/28)....GA-based condom manufacturer Durex
Consumer Products plans to distribute 100,000 samples
outside Pro Player on Sunday (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/28).