The Super Bowl will be played in New York City in February 2010, if the
city can get a new stadium built on the west side of Manhattan for the New
York Jets.
NFL owners gave their approval for New York to be the host of Super
Bowl XLIV during meetings Wednesday in Hawaii.
"We're thrilled about this announcement," said Jets owner Woody
Johnson. "I want to thank the NFL membership for granting the New York
Jets and the city and state of New York the opportunity to showcase this
week-long, mega-event in the greatest city in the world. The Super Bowl is
more than a football game. The Super Bowl will have a tremendous impact on
the local economy, and generate revenue for the community."
The proposed new stadium will have a retractable roof and is also part of New
York City's bid for the 2012 Olympics.
Last March, the Jets and New York City officials unveiled their plan
for a multi-purpose facility that would feature a 75,000-seat stadium. The
team is set to commit $800 million to the nearly $2 billion project that
would be built over the rail yards currently owned by the Metropolitan
Transit Authority.
However, the MTA has other bidders for the land, including Cablevision
-- the owners of nearby Madison Square Garden. Since a new stadium would
likely take away entertainment business from MSG, Cablevision has offered
the MTA more money for the property.
The MTA is expected to accept one of the bids by March 31.
The Jets currently play in Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands across the
Hudson River in New Jersey, with a lease that expires in
2008.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-25 10:00
