MEDIA RELEASES

WASHINGTON - With the Tampa Bay area's tense Super Bowl delegation huddled inside a small hotel conference room Wednesday, Karen Brand screamed out the stunning verdict from the lobby.

Even through closed doors, everyone heard her.

"We got it," shouted the vice president of marketing for the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, touching off a succession of hugs, high-fives and yes, even a few tears.

 
"Spread the word, folks, it's Tampa," Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman said as the contingent strode jubilantly into another room, where NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue awaited with members of the Glazer family to formally announce that the 2009 Super Bowl had been awarded to Raymond James Stadium.

Bucs general manager Bruce Allen had been keeping the delegation informed with a flurry of e-mails to Bucs spokesman Jeff Kamis from inside the ballroom, where NFL owners had to choose among Tampa, Atlanta, Houston and South Florida.

When Houston was knocked out in the first ballot, there was mild surprise because the Miami-Fort Lauderdale bid had been considered the longest shot, considering the 2007 game already has been awarded to Dolphins Stadium.

South Florida was eliminated on the second ballot, leaving Tampa competing against Atlanta and aggressive Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

Neither region received the required 21 votes on the third ballot, so it went to a simple majority, and Tampa was selected as Super Bowl host for the fourth time, and first since 2001.

"We left everything on the table," said Bucs Executive Vice President Bryan Glazer, who was concise in addressing owners directly and accentuating the virtues of the Bay area.

 

"Our community put an amazing bid together that couldn't be beat. We had an unbelievable package, and we have great weather. ... I think those two together can't be beat."

Norman, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and task force chairman Dick Beard made the formal 15-minute presentation to owners before Bryan Glazer took the floor.

"Bryan hit the points and he hit a home run," Allen said. "He was well-prepared, and he knew his audience, which is the key to any speech. He delivered."

Tagliabue praised the Glazers and the Bay area for their productive partnership with the NFL.

"The Glazers are tremendous team players within the league," he said, "and they've made the Bucs into a model franchise. The community's investment in a world-class stadium and track record in three prior Super Bowls were critical components."

Even as several British journalists inquired in vain about his controlling interest in Manchester United, Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer couldn't suppress a wide smile when discussing Wednesday's developments.

"It's such a wonderful community and wonderful weather - what a combination, what a combination," he said. "We love the people; we love the area."

Blank was gracious, but crestfallen.

Although he said he never considered Atlanta the front- runner, he campaigned vigorously on the strength of $150 million in improvements he envisioned for the state-owned Georgia Dome, contingent on favorable lease alterations.

"I don't know that I was shocked, but I'm disappointed," he said. "Tampa is a fabulous city with a fine facility, and weather was certainly a factor."

The last time Atlanta hosted the Super Bowl (2000), an ice storm scuttled a variety of outdoor events planned around the game. Also fresh in the owners' minds was the poor weather that plagued February's Super Bowl in Jacksonville.

The news also hit Houston owner Bob McNair hard, especially since Reliant Stadium appeared to impress everyone as a Super Bowl site in 2004.

"I congratulate Tampa, but I have to admit it was a surprise," he said. "You never know what goes into a vote. It was the most highly contested Super Bowl bid process anybody had seen. I'm not shocked by anything anymore."

South Florida's enhancement package was upgraded significantly in recent days as Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga made a determined effort to secure the 2009 game.

"I was surprised Tampa got it, especially after what Miami offered," said Titans owner Bud Adams, who had characterized the competition as a two-city race between Houston and Atlanta on Tuesday. "Boy, that Miami bid was a lot of money."

Ultimately, it wasn't enough.

 
"This is like giving birth to a child," said Paul Catoe, chief executive officer of the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau. "I'm speechless. This is for our community. We won this on the merits, and we did the job ourselves."

Iorio kept thanking Bryan Glazer while talking up the Bay area's vibrant growth.

"Tampa is an evolving city, and it's changing for the better every single day" she said.

 

"We've had a wonderful partnership with the NFL since the Super Bowl first came to Tampa in 1984. Bryan, I can't thank you enough for our community. I don't know what was said in there, but whatever you said, it worked."