December 10, 2004
The Super Bowl (Re)Shuffle

Don't look now, Houston. The Super Bowl could be back real soon.


The NFL was so impressed by the show Houston put on for Super Bowl XXXVIII that commissioner Paul Tagliabue vowed the game would return to the city. It might happen as early as 2009.

Houston, Atlanta, Miami and Tampa Bay have been selected as finalists to host Super Bowl XLIII. Jacksonville, Detroit, Miami and Phoenix will host the next four games.

The 2009 site will be awarded at a meeting of the league owners in May.


It's nice to know that all the cheerleading the local media did during Super Bowl week was grounded in some actual reality. For my money, the best reason to bring the big game back here is that it will piss Bill Simmons off.

Speaking of money:


By most accounts, Houston's most recent Super Bowl effort was an overwhelming success. The NFL and the Super Bowl Host Committee predicted an economic impact in the range of $250 million to $300 million.

Once, just once, I'd like to see one of these stories written with a reference to the actual, documented economic impact (assuming, of course, that it's truly quantifiable) instead of the self-serving predictions of same. I'm happy the City of Houston is hosting these events, and I think they have value even if the much-vaunted economic impact is little more than a wash, but this sort of faith-based reporting is both annoying and more than a little condescending. Let us make up our minds about these things based on the facts, OK?

Posted by Charles Kuffner on December 10, 2004 to Elsewhere in Houston | TrackBack
Comments

Good for Houston! I love when the Super Bowl goes to a city outside of the Florida-New Orleans-SoCal axis. The media people predictably whine about being stuck in a non-glamorous city, to which I say, if you want a two-week vacation in San Diego, TAKE a frickin' two-week vacation in San Diego. In the meantime, cover the frickin' game.

Posted by: Todd Gaines on December 10, 2004 3:54 PM

There's really only one reason why we should host another Super Bowl as soon as possible, and it has nothing to do with the economics.

It's the socio-cultural impact, stoopid.

Houston gave the world Janet Jackson's nipple (guard).

And isn't that what we all, deep down, really want?

If you expect more than just a crummy football game and a buttload of erectile dysfunction prescription drug commercials on Super Sunday; if your family craves gratuitous nudity followed immediately by the blinding irony of howling, sputtering conservative (faux) outrage, then you want the Super Bowl in Houston.

You know you want it.

Posted by: PDiddie on December 10, 2004 9:58 PM

If they're going to bring the Super Bowl back here, somebody had better promise not to let the city put up those dorky "Put your smile on -- company's coming" billboards again.

Posted by: Sue on December 11, 2004 7:49 AM

There is no better place to have the Super Bowl than San Diego.

Posted by: TONY on January 10, 2005 6:29 PM

It should host superbowl 2009 and give Houston or Atlanta to host the The 43th Super Bowl. I think Houston should host Super Bowl 2009. because Houston is new team in 3 year ago. I agree that Houston is new stadium should be held for Super Bowl. It will be best ever in NFL history!

Posted by: James Bush on January 28, 2005 1:13 PM