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Players Will Lace Up For Lingerie Bowl

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: January 9, 2009

TAMPA - Forget about Super Bowl XLIII. Get ready for Lingerie Bowl VI.

From Jan. 30 to 31, teams of scantily clad women in helmets and pads are expected to compete on a vacant lot off North Rome Avenue, a few blocks north of Kennedy Boulevard, for the title of Lingerie Bowl champions.

The event is being organized by Los Angeles-based Horizon Production Inc. and the Lingerie Football League, an expansion of the 35-minute Lingerie Bowl games played on pay-per-view during Super Bowl halftime the past few years.

Stephon McMillen, Horizon's media director, wouldn't discuss details, saying a formal announcement was expected next week.

"We've tried to keep it under the radar," he said, "but we're definitely coming to Tampa."

Organizers must prove they have insurance on the players. Once that is established, they need permission from the city council to close a portion of North Rome Avenue, and from the Tampa Police Department to provide off-duty officers.

On Thursday, the council delayed a vote on closing Rome because the organizers couldn't provide proof of insurance. Organizers said they would return next week with proof and again seek permission to close the street.

The request was met with concerns about the impact on the area from traffic congestion.

"I think this is going to cause major problems," Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena said.

McMillen said organizers plan to install fencing, sod and grandstands on the vacant lot, creating a mini-stadium on the property, a privately owned construction site.

He said there will be private security officers and more than enough on-site surface parking for the two-day event, which is expected to draw 2,500 to 3,500 spectators.

Four teams - the Tampa Breeze, Miami Caliente, Phoenix Scorch and the Los Angeles Temptation - are scheduled to compete the first night in the "garter and lace conference" semifinals that will whittle down the field of competitors to two teams, which will then play in the bowl on the Saturday before the Super Bowl.

The event will feature food, drinks and games, a tailgate party and the "ultimate catfight" competition Saturday night. Ticket prices have not been announced.

The final will be broadcast on pay-per-view during the Super Bowl halftime.

For information, go to www .LFLUS.com.

For tickets, e-mail ticket@lflus .com.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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