At today's National Football League (NFL) owners meeting in New York City, all thirty-two clubs learned why the Super Bowl should take place in New York City.

"When hosted in New York City, the World's biggest stage, the largest and most prestigious events are consistently the most watched and attended," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "At today's National Football League owners meeting, we presented a plan that would take the Super Bowl to the next level."

The plan developed by the NYC Host Committee includes creating season-long promotions and grassroots marketing, in the number one media market, leading to increased ratings and an expanded fan base for the NFL, hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, and worldwide exposure for both.

"A Super Bowl in 'America's City' will capture the imagination and interest of our nation and the world, providing an economic boost to our City," said Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of NYC & Company and Chairman & CEO of Loews Hotels, who led the presentation team, representing New York and New Jersey. "This is a true team effort, with representatives from New York City, New Jersey, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, all working together."

The National Football League Owner's meeting of all thirty-two clubs is being held on Wednesday, October 30th and Thursday, October 31st principally at the Essex House, a Manhattan hotel. This is the first regularly scheduled two-day owners meeting held in New York since 1985. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue advocated having the meeting in New York as further support of the City's economic development following the events of September 11th, 2001.

The meeting on Wednesday morning will include presentations by the New York Giants, New York Jets and Washington Redskins on the possibility of their cities and stadiums hosting future Super Bowls. The presentations are for informational purposes only. No votes will be taken on the awarding of Super Bowls until at least the NFL Spring Meeting in March 2003. The next Super Bowl that New York City can bid for is Super Bowl XLI to be played in 2007.

"The NYC Host Committee has a team of experienced professionals that will provide 'one-stop shopping' to meet all of the NFL's needs," said Maureen Reidy, Executive Director of the NYC Host Committee. "We will mobilize the private sector resources, creating marketing and promotional partnerships throughout the NFL season designed to create excitement and capitalize on the spirit and unparalleled energy of the City culminating in the greatest Super Bowl ever."

The NYC Host Committee is a public-private initiative established to secure high-profile events of national and international importance to generate substantial economic benefit for NYC and to provide a platform to showcase the City's positive image domestically and worldwide. The NYC Host Committee works to promote the fact that NYC is better able to handle large-scale event than any other city in the country with:

As part of the NFL's continuing support of New York City, the NFL kicked off its
83rd season on September 5th with NFL Kickoff Live From Times Square, a free concert and football entertainment event headlined by Bon Jovi in front of a reported 500,000 people. That effort included a multi-million dollar commitment to the City to help promote tourism and convention business through their national media and marketing programs including the use of NFL network television promotional time. In early October, the Mayor announced the launch of "Touch Down in New York," a new television, print and radio advertising campaign designed to increase tourism to New York City.

"NFL Kickoff Live From Times Square was an historic event in Times Square, and a huge morale boost for the City of New York," continued Mayor Bloomberg. "With the help of the NFL, we showed the world that New York City remains the premier destination for tourists and sports fans alike. I want to thank the National Football League and their Commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, for their continued support, and encourage the NFL owners to make history once again with a Super Bowl in the 'Greatest City on Earth'."