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Hurdles Remain For Organizers Of Lingerie Bowl

Horizon, Inc.

Four teams — the Tampa Breeze, Miami Caliente, Phoenix Scorch and Los Angeles Temptation — are scheduled to compete the first night in the "garter and lace conference" semifinals.

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2009

Updated: 01/13/2009 09:05 am

TAMPA - Organizers of Lingerie Bowl VI are racing against the clock to get approval from the city for the controversial two-day sporting event in time for Super Bowl weekend.

The event, which features scantily clad women playing tackle football, is being organized by Los Angeles-based Horizon Production Inc. and the Lingerie Football League, which has played games on pay-per-view during Super Bowl halftimes the past several years.

Event organizers still have to clear several hurdles. For one, they need to submit proof of insurance for the players and get permission from Tampa City Council – which tabled a vote on the group's permit request last Thursday – to close a section of North Rome Avenue.

They also need to get the Tampa Police Department to provide off-duty officers for the event, which is scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31 on a vacant construction site on Rome, between Fig and Gray streets, a few blocks north of Kennedy Boulevard.

Stephon McMillen, Horizon's media director, said organizers plan to submit the required paperwork to the city in the next few days and expect to get approval from the council.

Meanwhile, a coalition of neighborhood associations is mobilizing to oppose the event.

"We are totally opposed to this kind of event being held in our neighborhood," said Bob Allen, president of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association. "You can expect to see a whole bunch of angry citizens at the next city council meeting. We will fight this thing."

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

Alcohol and food will be served at the event, which features games, a tailgate party and the "ultimate catfight" competition Saturday. Ticket prices have not been announced.

The final is scheduled to be broadcast on pay-per-view during the Super Bowl halftime on Feb. 1.

Last year, organizers were forced to cancel Lingerie Bowl V after they failed to get permits from the city of Scottsdale, Ariz., in time to hold the event.

McMillen said event organizers will take the concerns of the neighborhood into consideration.

"We have hosted the Lingerie Bowl festivities prior without any incident and in complete compliance with all city and neighborhood requirements," he said.

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

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