New Orleans Looks To Host '18 Super Bowl; Houston Relying On Experience For '17 Bid

Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President & CEO Jay Cicero yesterday confirmed that the city intends to "to bid for the 2018 Super Bowl next year," according to Terrance Harris of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. But the "catch is the NFL has to invite the city to bid in order to officially put in a bid next October." Cicero said, "Assuming we get invited to bid for Super Bowl 2018 we will work with the Saints. We will put together a bid and hopefully bring our 11th Super Bowl to New Orleans." Harris writes New Orleans and South Florida "made some sense for the 50th anniversary of the NFL's showcase event because the two would have combined to host 20 Super Bowls (10 each), which exceeds any other cities." Super Bowl LII "lines up much better for New Orleans but there are ultimately variables out of the city's control." Saints Owner Tom Benson and his staff "can lobby the NFL to receive the invite to bid but there are no guarantees." Super Bowl XLVII in February "also needs to go off without a hitch" (NOLA.com, 10/17).

EXPERIENCE MATTERS: In Houston, John McClain wrote the success of Super Bowl XXXVIII in '04 "could help land" the city Super Bowl LI in '17. Texans President Jamey Rootes said, "Any time you do something for the first time, it’s a lot easier the second time and the third time, and so we've got a very experienced crew. The same folks who have been involved from the beginning when we hosted in 2004 will be around the table. ... We know a lot more about what the ownership is looking for and how those decisions are made. It’s a very interesting process, and I think we've got a good handle on how we can go about setting ourselves up to win." He added, "The more times you come to the table -- and now we’re in a position where we’re being asked to come to the table -- eventually something good will happen for you." McClain wrote the roof at Reliant Stadium "could give the Texans an advantage over the competition" (CHRON.com, 10/17).

WELCOME TO MIAMI: In regards to South Florida's bid to host Super Bowl L, Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said NFL Senior VP/Events Frank Supovitz and the Super Bowl Advisory Committee "were clear that renovations were not a condition precedent to South Florida’s invitation to bid." Dee: "We have to assemble the best possible bid package, and I’m sure the Host Committee will be focused on a number of factors, including Sun Life Stadium, the communities that participate in the bid, and where the core of Super Bowl activities will take place. ... We've got to do everything we can to put the best venue on the table. How exactly will that factor into the bid? I don’t know" (MIAMIDOLPHINS.com, 10/17).