Strong, clear message

Senators Schumer, Torricelli pitch for '07 Super Bowl

NEW YORK (AP) -- Two U.S. senators made a pitch Sunday to bring the 2007 Super Bowl to the New York area -- apparently unaware they were standing in front of a mural depicting an abandoned car in a snowed-in parking lot.

Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., said they have discussed the idea with NFL officials, who are expected to decide this year on a venue for the 2007 title game.

The two lawmakers told a news conference they were setting up a commission aimed at bringing the game to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Schumer said a Super Bowl would be another important step in New York's recovery from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

"It would send a strong and clear message that we will not be cowed by terrorism," he said, adding the game would bring more than $400 million in game-related business and tourism to the metropolitan area.

The senators noted that Sunday's Super Bowl in New Orleans is the ninth there. Eight others were played in Miami, five in Pasadena, Calif., and three in Tampa, Fla. Of the others, only two have been in wintry climes -- both in domes.

Schumer and Torricelli spoke at a skating rink overlooking the Hudson River. Neither seemed to notice the backdrop behind them depicting what could be the Meadowlands parking lot after a blizzard -- a car half-buried in snow near a deserted building.

Schumer conceded that "weather is the only argument" for the Super Bowl bypassing New York for nearly four decades, but added: "Some of the best football games I've ever seen were played in 20-degree weather."

In a letter released Sunday, the senators asked NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue to appoint an NFL representative to their commission and said they would seek additional members from the NFL players' union, the two state governments, the city and the federal office of Homeland Security.

The senators said a Super Bowl would require some upgrading of Giants Stadium, and the debate over a new football stadium in New York had no bearing on the Super Bowl proposal.

 

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