Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki today announced that the National Football League (NFL) owners voted during their annual meeting today to designate New York City as the conditional host of the 2010 Super Bowl to be played at the New York Sports and Convention Center (NYSCC).  Last year, the Mayor and Governor requested that the NFL consider the NYSCC as a Super Bowl venue, and about a month ago, the NFL officially invited the City to submit a bid for review at the NFL Owners’ meeting.  The bid process was spearheaded by NYC Big Events, Inc., the City’s official organization dedicated to attracting high-profile events, and they coordinated with over thirty City, State, and Federal agencies, private organizations and over 165 hotels to pull together the comprehensive, detailed bid.

“We’re thrilled with the National Football League’s decision to award the 2010 Super Bowl to New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “It is an enormous vote of confidence in our plans to build the New York Sports and Convention Center. When it is complete, New York will finally have a world-class facility for the country’s top sports events along with the economic activity and jobs that come with them.  Its unforgettable location, and unparalleled energy and spirit, would make for an incredible Super Bowl experience, which would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity.”

“This is great news for New York because a Super Bowl means jobs, revenue, and economic activity for our City and our State,” said Governor Pataki. “We are proud to have the chance to bring thousands of visitors to New York and showcase our City to the entire nation by hosting the Super Bowl. With the construction of the Sports and Convention Center, New York will have the ability to host large scale events such as the Super Bowl and the 2012 Olympic Games, as well as major conventions, trade shows, and concerts throughout the year. I want to thank the NFL for giving us the opportunity to host the Super Bowl, and I have no doubt that New York will make it a tremendous event.”

A Super Bowl played in the NYSCC would generate hundreds of jobs, more than $300 million in economic activity and nearly $30 million in tax revenue for the City and State. This is a conservative estimate because Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego generated a total economic impact of $367 million, according to a study by Marketing Information Masters, Inc. City and State officials expect that thousands of visitors will stay in over 45,000 hotel rooms, and will visit our retail shops, restaurants, museums, theaters and entertainment venues.  There will be a series of exciting events and promotions planned for New Yorkers and visitors alike that will extend far beyond the walls of the NYSCC including the NFL Experience, the NFL Youth Education Town, NFL Youth Clinic, and Corporate Hospitality Village, plus Official NFL Events. Additional NYC Host Committee programming will feature performances, exhibits, educational activities and promotional events throughout all five boroughs.

“Bringing a Super Bowl to New York City will be another terrific opportunity to showcase the city and all it has to offer not only for sports fans everywhere but for anyone looking at hosting a convention or trade show here,” said Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano. “Moving forward with the New York Sports and Convention Center will give New York City greater flexibility in attracting such world-class events and bringing even more tourism dollars to our state.”

The NYSCC would be the most dynamic multi-purpose facility in the world. Approximately 17 days a year, the facility will function as a stadium, including the home of the New York Jets for 10 season games. During the rest of the year, the facility will host sporting events and concerts such as the Final Four and a Super Bowl, and possibly other large scale events like the 2012 Olympic Games. The NYSCC will also double as New York City's first mid-size convention center and offer ancillary space to the Javits Center while also attracting new shows. It will become part of the fabric of the neighborhood, housing a museum, a community theater and several signature restaurants while providing much needed open space. The NYSCC will set a new benchmark in sustainable design.

“New York City is America’s City and America’s Game is football.  Hosting America’s biggest sporting event on the word’s biggest stage, guarantees an event that will capture the interest and imagination of the world,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President NYC Big Events, Inc.

NYC Big Events, Inc. is the City’s official organization dedicated to attracting high-profile events, creating new ones and working with existing major New York City events. NYC Big Events’ most recent successes include the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, the 2004 Republican National Convention, the 2005 VH1 Save the Music Foundation Benefit Concert and the upcoming 2005 County Music Association Awards.