New York freezes out Tampa to host 2014 Super Bowl

Many NFL observers thought Tuesday's 2014 Super Bowl competition would be decided in a New York minute.

They thought wrong.

Routinely portrayed as a Big Apple coronation, aided by the back-channel support of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the battle for the next available Super Bowl turned into gripping, high-stakes theater as the Bay area sought to host the league's showcase event for a fifth time.

It took four ballots and 15 minutes of drama before a majority of the NFL's 32 owners awarded the 2014 game to a
$1.6 billion, open-air stadium that will open this fall as the home of the Giants and Jets.

After South Florida was eliminated on the second ballot, it took two more votes before Goodell announced New York as the first cold-weather, open-air Super Bowl stadium site.

"That obviously was a historic vote for the league," Goodell said. "We had three great communities bidding. Far too much is being made of my role. Our job is to make sure we present three terrific bids."

The results of the final secret vote wasn't revealed, but Tampa Bay officials walked away confident they nearly pulled off a major upset.

"We anticipated a very close vote," said Bucs co-chairman Bryan Glazer, who made a brief speech extolling Tampa's virtues to fellow owners shortly after the Bay area presentation. "New York will be a great place for a Super Bowl - but we'll be back in the hunt next year."

By awarding the 2014 game to an 82,500-seat facility in the Meadowlands complex at East Rutherford, N.J., owners opened up the possibility of granting future Super Bowls to other open-air stadiums in the Northeast.

Before accepting the New York City metro area's frosty bid, the league waived its Super Bowl weather requirements of 50-degree temperatures or a domed stadium.

"I do believe New York is a unique market," said Goodell, "and I think the membership recognizes that. It's the No.1 market in our country and, in many cases, around the world."

Arizona withdrew its bid earlier this year once Glendale officials became convinced New York was destined to land the 2014 game despite having an average high temperature of 39 degrees in early February, compared to 71 for the Tampa Bay area.

Giants president John Mara thanked fellow owners for "having the guts to make some history."

Jubilant Jets owner Woody Johnson taunted the weather gods.

"It's going to be played outside, and I hope it snows," he crowed.

Aided by Goodell's quiet but firm backing, New York's tradition-busting proposal was heavily favored from the start.

"We were David up against Goliath, and it was really tough," said Paul Catoe, CEO of Tampa Bay and Company, which recently helped lure the 2012 Republican National Convention to Tampa. "When we arrived here two days ago, we were told literally, 'Why are you here? You don't have a chance.' We kicked and clawed our way to the point where I think there was a lot of anxiety on (New York's) part. I think they believed they'd get it in the first round."

The Bay's area's four-minute video, narrated by Bradenton resident and noted broadcaster Dick Vitale, accentuated the region's temperate climate, its worldwide allure as a winter destination and the lofty reputation of Raymond James Stadium as a big-time sports facility.

The New York proposal didn't shy away from acute weather concerns, detailing contingency plans for hand warmers, seat warmers and the possibility of fire pits for tailgaters in the Meadowlands parking lot.

"It was down to two great American cities," Giants treasurer Jonathan Tisch said. "Tampa did a wonderful job, but owners had the faith that we'll put on a remarkable event."

Catoe said Tampa Bay is likely to face formidable competition for the 2015 game, with Arizona expected to submit a bid and the possibility of a new stadium in San Francisco.

"We gave it our best shot," Catoe said. "We didn't leave anything on the table. It's not good coming in second, but I think we scared 'em a little bit."

While officials from the Jets and Giants exulted, Frank Supovitz, the NFL's vice president of events, congratulated the Tampa Bay contingent for staking a powerful claim for another Super Bowl.

As he walked away, Supovitz was asked to assess the Bay area as a perennial Super Bowl contender.

"Amazing," he said, shaking his head. "Just amazing."