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Goodell: Super Bowl Will Boost Tampa Area Economy

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Published: October 13, 2008

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay area's battered economy is poised to receive a significant boost in late January with the arrival of Super Bowl week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday.

Appearing at the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee Luncheon, Goodell praised the area's success in playing host to three previous Super Bowls and characterized the Buccaneers as "a model franchise" under the 14-year ownership of the Glazer family.

"There are multiple benefits," Goodell said before heading to downtown St. Petersburg for the National Football League's two-day fall meetings, beginning Tuesday. "The first is the level of enthusiasm and pride that the Super Bowl creates in the community - to be able to put on an event like this on a global stage and be able to showcase this great community to the world.

"There's also a more tangible impact ... the economic impact to the community. We expect well over 100,000 people will be coming down to this region for several days," Goodell said. "They'll spend a lot of money and obviously get a great appreciation for the great things here, and that will serve the community well for a long time."

Goodell said security issues remain paramount for the league's showcase event.

"Pat-downs started here yesterday, and from what I understand, they went quite well," Goodell said. "It's often said it the Super Bowl is the safest place in the world on that particular day."

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