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A Play For Profit

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2009

Visitors in town for the Super Bowl will pay a lot more than usual to stay and play in the Tampa Bay area. Don't expect action from the Florida Attorney General's Office, though: The state's gouging restrictions only apply during a state of emergency. A sports windfall, under the law, is no hurricane.

Here are a few comparisons, two months ago and today.

Hotel, one night

The 100,000 expected visitors need a place to stay. Several hotels report they still have a few rooms for the weekend.
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa North in Temple Terrace: $129/$305

Westshore Hotel: $119/$399

Car rental, per day

Visitors have snatched up the finest cars, such as Corvettes, Mustang convertibles and Suburbans. Some smaller cars are available, but at heart-stopping prices.

Avis: Chevrolet Aveo $34.77/$90.24

Budget: Volkswagen Beetle convertible $85.99/$139.99

Strip clubs, Saturday cover
Mons Venus owner Joe Redner pledged to charge what the market would bear. Many clubs will adjust admission prices repeatedly, depending on demand.

Mons Venus: $20/$50

The Penthouse Club: $10/$25

Limousine

With all the celebrities in town, limos are in short supply. Several companies have cars available, but at higher rates and with a higher minimum.

Advantage Limousine, eight-passenger: $450 (five-hour minimum) $1,800 (10-hour minimum)

Beer, Raymond James Stadium
By forking over $800 or more for a ticket to the Super Bowl game, fans are also buying the privilege of paying a premium for a beer.

$7.75/$10 (with souvenir cup)

Baird Helgeson

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