The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and Minnesota Vikings today submitted a final bid to host Super Bowl LII in 2018.
The next step comes in two weeks when Minnesota’s Super Bowl bid committee makes a presentation to the NFL on why the Twin Cities can create an ideal Super Bowl experience.
The presentation “will blow their (NFL’s) mind,” US Bancorp Chief Executive Officer Richard Davis said, according to the Star Tribune. Davis, who is a co-chair of the bid committee, along with Ecolab Chief Doug Baker and Carlson Inc’s Marilyn Carlson Nelson spoke with reporters today about their upcoming presentation.
Committees for three finalist cities – Minneapolis, New Orleans and Indianapolis – will present Super Bowl plans to the NFL at the annual NFL Owner’s Meetings in Orlando, Florida on May 20. The winner will be announced the same day.
KARE 11 reports that the estimated cost to host the Super Bowl is between $30-$40 million, 75 percent of which has already been raised through local corporations.
The Associated Press listed some highlights of each city’s Super Bowl bid:
MINNEAPOLIS
—A futuristic $1 billion new indoor stadium scheduled to open in 2016.
—Financial support for the estimated $30 million to $40 million in costs, with pledges already in hand for about 85 percent of what’s needed. The local corporate community includes 19 Fortune 500 companies, 26 Fortune 1000 companies and two of the country’s largest privately held corporations.
—The only bidder with nonstop flights from every NFL city, as well as three convenient regional airports for corporate jets and other private planes.
—Light-rail lines connecting the stadium with the airport as well as hotels in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington.
—Integration with other local winter activities such as the St. Paul Winter Carnival.
—Undisclosed tax breaks, but a law still on the books from the 1992 game in Minneapolis exempts Super Bowl tickets from state sales taxes.
—Minneapolis hosted the 1992 Super Bowl.
NEW ORLEANS
—The festivities would kick off the city’s 300th anniversary celebration.
—New Orleans has hosted 10 Super Bowls already, including 2013, tying it with Miami for the most.
—A number of new capital improvement projects that would benefit the Super Bowl, including upgrades to the Superdome, additional streetcar lines and new public spaces.
—Numerous hotels, restaurants, special event venues including the city’s convention center and NBA arena, the French Quarter and the Superdome all within walking distance of each other.
—The host committee did not disclose cost estimates but did note that major sporting events traditionally cost less to stage in New Orleans due to many factors including a full-time staff ready to manage the event, lower transportation costs, less weather contingency planning and the existing exemption of sales tax on tickets and merchandise at the Superdome. The 2013 host committee reported a $13.5 million budget.
INDIANAPOLIS
—Indianapolis hosted the widely praised Super Bowl of 2012, when the major complaint was a lack of downtown hotel rooms, but two more large downtown hotels could be completed in time for the game.
—Costs of around $30 million have already been covered by corporate and private contributions.
—Indianapolis promised to expand the Super Bowl Village, which originated in Indy and is now a requirement in all bid packages.
Other details on the Vikings’ bid were not released.
Model of new #Vikings stadium & what it looks like today. Hoping to host Super Bowl in 2018 http://t.co/gIM4gAn6zA pic.twitter.com/PpA5F2Qh9O
— KARE 11 (@kare11) May 7, 2014
