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New Yorkers' Eyes Locked On Tampa

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 30, 2008

TAMPA - It doesn't take much to get New York sports fans in a frenzy these days.

Long-suffering Knicks supporters are already looking ahead to the summer of 2010, when their downtrodden NBA team may be in position to lure LeBron James to Madison Square Garden as a free agent.

The Yankees are preparing to throw more than $100 million at free-agent pitcher C.C. Sabathia, the Mets are closing in on a new closer, and the Rangers are off to a good start.

But by far the juiciest sports tidbit in the Big Apple is the intriguing possibility of a Jets-Giants Super Bowl matchup right here in Tampa, nine weeks from today.

From Howie in Bayside to Arnie in Asbury Park, New Yawkers are jazzed about the chances of an NFL Subway Series, despite the fact nobody takes a train to the Meadowlands.

With the Giants and Jets both in first place, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is already being asked about how the league would handle the scenario of two conference championship games played in the same stadium.

Goodell's answer?

Play one game on Sunday night and the other on Monday.evening.

A lot can happen along the way, with quality teams like the Titans, Bucs, Steelers and Cowboys eager to spoil those New York, New York parties.

One sports book already has placed the odds on a Jets-Giants Super Bowl at 5-1.

If it happens, the Bay area would be inundated with Jets and Giants fans desperately seeking tickets, hotel rooms and New York-style pizza.

What could be more appropriate?

Bruce Springsteen is already confirmed as the halftime entertainment at Raymond James Stadium, and these look like glory days for New York football fans.

"It is a long way from there, but if it happens, it happens," said Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck, regarding an all-Gotham Super Bowl. "I'd love for it to happen, because it means we made the Super Bowl."

The Giants already have played in two Super Bowls in Tampa, edging the Bills in 1991 and dropping a lopsided decision to the Ravens a decade later.

The Jets haven't been back to the big game since Joe Namath led the 1968 club past Baltimore in a shocking Super Bowl III upset that changed pro football forever.

Scalpers were getting $5,000 per seat for the Super Bowl matchup between the Giants and Patriots in Glendale, Ariz., and a potential Jets-Giants showdown would send ticket prices soaring.

Fuggedaboudit.

Those lucky enough to land a strip of tickets would be in position to demand quite an economic stimulus package.

The face value for some Feb. 1 seats at RayJay have cracked the $1,000 plateau for the first time in Super Bowl history - and this would be the ultimate seller's market.

Hey, it's snowbird season already.

Might as well have the buzzards circling.

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