Tampa wants to bid for 2015 Super Bowl

Tampa officials hope to get into the race to attract the 2015 Super Bowl to Raymond James Stadium, the chief executive of Hillsborough County's visitors bureau said Thursday.

"We're hopeful that if the National Football League's collective bargaining agreement is resolved we would be invited to New York make a presentation to the National Football League in October," said Paul Catoe, president and chief executive of Tampa Bay & Co.

The current labor agreement between NFL owners and players association expires in March, which means a potential lockout would dominate NFL attention and possibly interfere with long-range planning efforts scheduled for later in the year.

Tampa hosted the Super Bowl in 1984, 1991, 2001 and 2009, the first two at Tampa Stadium and the latter two at Raymond James Stadium.

The city has a reputation for presenting creative Super Bowl bid presentations, for which the region's visitors industry and business and government officials join forces.

Catoe emphasized Tampa would have to secure an invitation from the NFL to be among places considered for the game that's regarded as a boon to the local visitors industry for boosting hotel, restaurant and entertainment business.

He said that would involve keeping in constant contact with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other NFL representatives.

"Tampa Bay has a reputation of personalized service, and by working with the Glazer family (owners of the Buccaneers) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that is what we hope to continue to provide to the NFL," Catoe said.

Tampa was regarded as a strong contender for the 2014 Super Bowl that was awarded in May to the New York area and the New Meadowlands Stadium, which will be the first cold weather area outdoor venue for the game that's been played in the Sunbelt or indoor stadiums.

Bucs co-chairman Bryan Glazer said at that time he hoped Tampa Bay would be back in the Super Bowl hunt.

South Florida, Los Angeles, Dallas and Indianapolis are among locales that various reports have indicated could bid for the 2015 game.