Atlanta "may pursue" the 2003 Super Bowl if the NFL
decides in the next few months to move the game from San
Francisco, according to Len Pasquarelli of the ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION. Although the city is scheduled to host next
year's Super Bowl, city officials "confirmed" that it could
also host the 2003 event because the city "is not overbooked
with conventions that year." Pasquarelli writes that even
if the game is moved, Atlanta would likely "face a battle"
from San Diego and Miami (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/28).
BROAD SHOULDERED BID: Eli Broad, part of the New
Coliseum Partners bid for an NFL expansion team in L.A., is
scheduled to meet for 30 minutes today with the NFL's
Finance Committee in Miami to "answer skeptics who doubted"
the city's political support. Broad was to have L.A. Mayor
Richard Riordan and Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa
"join him" at the meeting, but he was told Wednesday that
the committee "didn't want any politicians in attendance --
just the principals" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/28). New Coliseum
Partner/NHL Kings co-Owner Ed Roski, on Broad's addition to
the group: "Indirectly, I understand the NFL was very happy
to hear (about Broad). If we hadn't done this, there would
have been a question in their minds" (PRESS-TELEGRAM, 1/27).
NFL COLOR-BLIND? In Miami, Falcons offensive line coach
Art Shell said that "part of the problem" with minorities
getting hired as NFL head coaches is "the good old boy
network." Shell, on teams overlooking Packers offensive
coordinator Sherm Lewis as a head coaching candidate: "I
don't know what's going on there. The guy has all the
credentials in the world. For him not to get a hard look
and get an opportunity to be a head coach, something's going
on. I don't understand it" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/28). In
Nashville, Jeff Legwold writes that controversy on the NFL's
lack of minorities holding head coaching positions "is fast
becoming a Super Bowl tradition" (TENNESSEAN, 1/28).
CHALLENGES FACING THE GAME: In a front page story in
today's L.A. TIMES, Greg Johnson writes that "cracks are
appearing" in football's foundation, as the game is "losing
its appeal, particularly in cash-strapped school districts
where costly football programs are being eliminated." Dir
of the Univ. of OR Warsaw Sports Marketing Center Rick
Burton said that football is still seen as "a violent
sport." Burton: "Society has changed. There are now a lot
of soccer moms out there wondering if football is too
demanding, too harmful for their kids" (L.A. TIMES, 1/28).
WHO'S HE REFERRING TO? NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
addressed 800 people, who paid $35 each, at a Super Bowl
XXXIII business luncheon at Pro Player Stadium yesterday.
The event was sponsored by the South FL Super Bowl Host
Committee. Tagliabue, on the NFL: "Every team has an
opportunity to compete and win. We're the only league that
controls all the television centrally ... and shares the
revenue equally so Green Bay and Jacksonville receive the
same TV revenue as New York." More Tagliabue, on instant
replay: "I think it will come back" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/28).
