The NFL will no longer "put Super Bowls out to bid," according to a source cited by Mike Florio of PRO FOOTBALL TALK. The process will instead "commence with the league approaching a specific city regarding a specific future Super Bowl, outlining the terms the NFL needs in order to grant the game to that location." The selected city will have an "opportunity to decide whether to accept the terms." If the selected city declines, then the process will "revert to the more traditional submission of bids." The NFL has "become sensitive to the disappointment that the close-but-no-cigar cities experience every time they find themselves in the role of bridesmaid" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 10/22). YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote the move "allows the NFL to control every aspect of the host community process." The league also could be "taking a page" from the IOC's playbook. The IOC simultaneously awarded the '24 and '28 Games to Paris and L.A., respectively, reasoning that "keeping two willing cities in the tent is better than having one qualified city pack up and give up on bidding entirely" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/22).
BRING YOUR SUIT & TIE: The NFL last night formally announced that Justin Timberlake will be the Super Bowl LII halftime performer, and NBC during "SNF" halftime aired Mike Tirico's interview with the entertainer. Timberlake said, "It's a huge moment so I was very excited." When asked about the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" moment from the '04 Super Bowl, Timberlake laughed and said, "That won't happen this time." He added, "What I really want to do is take the opportunity to put together a performance that feels like it unifies" ("SNF," NBC, 10/22). ABC's T.J. Holmes noted Timberlake will become the "first artist to perform three times at a Super Bowl." However, a lot of this appearance "will be overshadowed" by the '04 halftime show ("GMA," ABC, 10/23). CBS' Gayle King said, "The big question is will Janet Jackson make an appearance on the stage" ("CBS This Morning," 10/23). Meanwhile, the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE notes Super Bowl halftime performers "rarely have anything to do with the host city, but Timberlake does have loose ties to Minnesota," as his wife, actress Jessica Biel, was born in Ely, Minn. Timberlake also might "add a little local flavor into the show in another way: He's a devout Prince fan" and could "pay tribute to the late Minneapolis legend" (STARTRIBUNE.com, 10/23).
