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Hope Becomes Skimpy For Lingerie Bowl

Horizon photo

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 15, 2009

TAMPA - If organizers of Lingerie Bowl VI are still planning to hold the controversial two-day event in Tampa Super Bowl weekend, they'll have to find a new field to play on.

Ken Morin, a developer and owner of the North Hyde Park property where the Lingerie Football League wanted to hold the event, said he won't allow them to use his land.

"My neighbors have spoken loud and clear," Morin said. "They don't want this here."

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

Organizers had promised two days of games between the Los Angeles Temptation, Phoenix Scorch, Miami Caliente and Tampa Breeze, from Jan. 30 to 31, on a vacant lot transformed into a playing field. The final was expected to be broadcast on pay-per-view during the Super Bowl halftime.

A spokesman for the Horizon couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Morin said he was approached by the group a few months ago about using his property, site of a multimillion-dollar residential and retail project, but never signed an agreement.

He said opposition from neighborhood associations prompted him to back out of it.

"I want to be a good neighbor," Morin said. "We're totally committed to being here."

Even if event organizers had a field to play on, they still have several hurdles to clear, including getting permission from the city council to close down a portion of North Rome Avenue, and from the Tampa Police Department to provide off-duty officers.

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

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at cwade@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7679

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