New Orleans is a "decided underdog to land any of the three Super Bowls that will be awarded" next week at the NFL owners' meeting in Charlotte, according to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Atlanta, L.A. and Miami are "considered the prohibitive favorites to win the bids" for the '19, '20 and '21 games, respectively. By all accounts and "most any standard, New Orleans is the best Super Bowl host city in America." The city boasts the "total package: a fan-friendly downtown footprint; world-class nightlife; an extensive hotel room inventory; and an experienced staff of big event planners." But the Super Bowl business "has become as much about politics, money and cronyism as it is popular destination locations." The NFL "uses Super Bowls as carrots to lure communities into supporting new stadium construction in their markets." Atlanta is the "heavy favorite to win" the Super Bowl LIII bid in '19 "as a reward" for the Falcons' new downtown stadium. L.A. is a "prohibitive favorite to land" the '20 bid as a "show of support" for Rams Owner Stan Kroenke's $2.6B investment in his Inglewood stadium. Meanwhile, Miami "is considered the favorite" in '21 because of Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross' $400M investment in renovating their stadium. But the long odds "haven't prevented local Super Bowl organizers from preparing what they feel is a winning bid." After the official presentation, Saints Owner Tom Benson and President Dennis Lauscha "are also expected to address their peers." The theme of New Orleans' pitch -- The Big Easy Super Bowl -- "is meant to appeal to owners' and organizers' fondness for New Orleans' cozy downtown footprint and the city's vast experience in hosting major sporting events" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 5/18).
PITCH MAN: In West Palm Beach, Hal Habib reported South Florida's Super Bowl Bid Committee has chosen Pro Football HOFer Larry Csonka "to make its presentation to NFL owners in Charlotte." It was his speech during the Dolphins’ 50th anniversary gala in December that "convinced the committee he’s the man to convince 32 owners that it’s time to bring the Super Bowl back to Miami." South Florida Super Bowl Bid Committee Chair Rodney Barreto said of Csonka, “He really speaks well. He speaks with authority. He’s not a small guy, so he’s got a real presence about him.” Habib noted Barreto will "kick off South Florida’s presentation and introduce Csonka, who will intersperse his words with a video touting the reasons to return the Super Bowl to Miami." Ross also is "expected to make his pitch to fellow owners" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 5/17).
