Phoenix gets 2008 Super Bowl

[Guest donaltopablo]

Touchdown! Business leaders bask in Super Bowl glory

Mike Sunnucks and Adam Kress

The Business Journal

State and Valley business and political leaders are basking in the glow of having landed the 2008 Super Bowl.

National Football League owners voted Thursday to play the championship game at the new Arizona Cardinals stadium being built in Glendale.

Gov. Janet Napolitano and Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs led a delegation to NFL meetings in Chicago and gave a final presentation to owners.

Napolitano said the Phoenix/Glendale bid won on the first ballot of votes among owners. "I'm told we won on the first ballot," said the governor in a conference call from Chicago with reporters.

The Valley beat out Washington, D.C., and Tampa, Fla. for the game.

Napolitano said Arizona's weather, the Cardinals' new stadium and the successful hosting of the 1996 Super Bowl in Tempe were deciding factors in the selection.

The governor did not know how big of an impact Tempe and the Cardinals emergency hosting of the Monday Night Football game on Oct. 27 had on the Super Bowl site selection. That game between the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins was moved to the Valley because of fires in Southern California.

"It certainly didn't hurt," said Napolitano adding that the Valley would have helped San Diego regardless of the Super Bowl situation.

Mike Sculley, executive director of the Maricopa County Sports Commission, said with the Super Bowl bid, two thirds of what many hope will be a trifecta of huge sporting events in the West Valley is now in place.

The Phoenix Coyotes are still hoping to secure the 2006 NHL All-Star Game, the Fiesta Bowl National Championship college football game is slated for 2007 and now the Super Bowl for 2008.

[Scott]

BOO! HISS!!!

The Super Bowl should be played at the team with the best records home field. Think Foxboro, Detroit or Green Bay in the snow!!! Now that's football baby!!!