Anchors away

Jacksonville to employ cruise ships at Super Bowl XXXIX

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SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The city of Jacksonville is cruising for a memorable Super Bowl experience. Whether it's an enjoyable one -- that's the big question.

Two years away from hosting the NFL title game, and housing a small percentage of visitors on cruise ships, the city's host committee set up a booth in the Super Bowl media center to begin a two-year information barrage.

Their target is the thousands of fans and media who are skeptical about sticking America's biggest sports celebration in a relatively small city with a perceived shortage of full-service hotel rooms, shaky weather and no significant downtown nightlife.

"It's going to be a different experience, but it will be unique, and it will hopefully put Jacksonville in the rotation for future games, too," said Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, who led the charge to get the game.

Workers at the booth say most of the feedback they're getting is lukewarm, mostly because the people don't know what to expect. They're most concerned about the cruise-ship idea.

Not to worry, they say: Only 8,000 of the nearly 100,000 fans who descend on the Super Bowl city will be placed on the ships.

And Weaver said the skeptics might be surprised if they try it.

Big Apple Super Bowl? SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Some New York executives have been in San Diego talking up the idea of holding the Super Bowl in the Big Apple. Presumably they haven't mentioned the temperatures in their hometown where baby, it's cold outside. New York is in the grip of a wintery blast. The last time it was above freezing in the city was Jan. 13, nearly two weeks ago. Temperatures have been in the low single digits most days with wind chills making it feel even colder. And by the way, there is no dome on Giants Stadium, where a potential Super Bowl would be played. Still, the New York City Sports Commission presses on. The group, headed by executive director Maureen Reidy, has been huddling with members of the San Diego Host Committee and executives from Houston, Jacksonville and Detroit, sites of future games. One prominent New Yorker has lined up in their corner, endorsing the idea of holding a game there. And he could have major influence on a final decision. "You just have to change your mindset," commissioner Paul Tagliabue said on Friday. "You have to approach it like somebody would approach going to the Winter Olympics."

"I've stayed on them before and had a great time, so I'd have no problem with it," Weaver said.

Jacksonville has solved a problem it had ensuring the 12,000 hotel rooms the NFL demands for its Super Bowl cities. Last year, Jacksonville's Super Bowl appeared in jeopardy because innkeepers were reluctant to sign deals guaranteeing their rooms to the NFL for a capped price.

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the problems have been resolved.

"It seems to us that all of the issues are manageable, so we're going ahead and planning for that game," he said.

With most of the nation plunged in a cold spell, the low in Jacksonville dipped to 19 on Friday. The average high this time of year, however, is 63, and the 50-or-so golf courses in the area are normally well-booked in January.

As for the nightlife question, the city is in the middle of a massive overhaul of its downtown.

In two years, the stretch from Alltel Stadium to downtown -- a dark street dotted with shipyards and factories -- will be transformed into an entertainment-filled walkway. There will also be lots of entertainment options on the handful of cruise ships that will be docked nearby.

The city is hoping to put on a "walking" Super Bowl, with everything -- the stadium, media center, entertainment, restaurants -- available within a few blocks. Those who get antsy can take a 20-minute car ride to the beach.

Asked if there was any way Jacksonville could match the show put on this week by San Diego, which is hosting its third Super Bowl, Weaver pointed out Jacksonville's natural advantage.

"It took me an hour to get down here today," he said. "In Jacksonville, everything is going to be about two minutes away."

 

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