The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 8

THE TAMPA TRIBUNE. Thursday, June 4,1981 8-A Ml .1 WmW. i hi ifiHr- -iiiw iMinai-ilrt I M(3 Tamoa' symbolically, it will mean a great deaj more. Combined with the Republican National Convention, held in Detroit in 1980, this sends a message across the country that Detroit and Michigan are alive and viable." w. Pontiac and Detroit officials have promoted the idea of Super Bowl Week there as a winter vacation with skiing and The Tampa Task Force promoted beacnTes, sunshine and other tourist attractions.

J. Also, at a time when most of Michigan; is snowed in, state tourism officials are anticipating the arrival of 50,000 tourists to the marfcet during the two weeks surrounding the Super Bowl. For Tampa, with its stadium capacity of 72,000, and the west Central Florida market, the dollars and cents effect could prove ejfen greater. Promoters of the Tampa bid hope the Gulf beaches, pleasant winter climate, variety of tourist attractions, availability of hotel nd motel rooms and a positive business climate will combine to provide the positive settingfor a periodic awarding of the annual event to Tampa. The local delegation has had to commit 7,000 hotel and motel rooms, and bus conjpa-.

nies as far away as Orlando are committed; to sending equipment and manpower to Tampa. But it's the intangible effects that; most cities look for when they seek the SuperrJowl bid. Remember when people who where unfamiliar with Tampa thought of it as a suburb of Miami, not part of a rapidly growing metropolis with a character all its own? Then, Tampa was awarded a National Football League franchise and things began to happen. First the team lost 26 straight games and gained national prominence, especially from the comedy routines of Johnny Carson. 4 The attention centered on the TampaBay area in 1979 when the team almost went fo'the Super Bowl, losing in the final playoff The visibility that the presence of an team can have has been dramatic.

Considering the close relationship between sports and business, having an NFL franchise immediately gains greater credibility fpj a marketplace. But showing the willingness and capability to attract and host a Super-Bowl seems to add further credence to the intemVof local civic and business leaders to: Tampa has arrived in the "big time." Jim Selman is The Tribune's jasSCstant sports editor. Harry Costello is businessjedi- will be ready to handle Super Bowl crowds, he said. Morrison said garbage service to regular customers might have to be rescheduled so the city can accommodate hotels and motels filled with out-of-towners. "Clean-up calls are certain to arise," Morrison said.

"We'll definitely have concerns about aesthetics and sanitation." Morrison said to estimate clean-up costs for the city, "take the amount spent to clean up after Gasparilla Day and multiply by three." It cost about $10,000 to clean up after Gasparilla Day, but department head Broadus said the figure could run higher. "Fifty thousand is not going to be too high a figure," Broadus said, adding his estimate includes overtime, extra pick-ups, and fuel, equipment and dumping costs. Martinez said it's impossible to know what the overall cost will be for residents "until we know exactly what's involved. I suspect it's a small number compared to what will be spent in Tampa. "Thousands of people will be coming to Tampa for the first time," he said.

"I think we're entirely capable of handling whatever's required." Tampa will also be the target of nationwide publicity, another factor the mayor considers beneficial. "For months before and after, the name Tampa is associated with that game," Martinez said. "You can't buy that kind of publicity. The return is tremendous." Aide Morrison, who attended Loyola University in New Orleans and witnessed that city's Super Bowl preparations, said fans arrive in a festive mood "with an eye toward enjoying one of the most unique events in the country." Though party-oriented, Morrison said "irresponsible would be too harsh a word" to describe fans. Morrison said the city will also work to coordinate additional travel to and from the stadium with the Hillsborough County Transit Authority.

that. But I believe we have a civic commitment where individuals are really concerned and committed to doing a good job. In looking at other cities, I really think we have this going for us." It is said that more powerful businessmen men such as Atlanta hotel developer Jim Woods gather for a Super Bowl than for any national convention. Woods first came to Tampa in the fall of 1978 to attend a Tampa Bay Buccaneer football game and was impressed that all the hotels he considered to be of high quality were booked solid. During an ensuing visit to Tampa he quickly recognized the growth potential of the market, especially with the presence of a National Football League franchise.

He also realized first hand that the area was lacking first-class quality hotel space near the stadium and airport. Having close ties to the Hilton organization. Woods announced last fall the construction of a 240-room Airport Hilton Hotel on Boy Scout Boulevard in Tampa, just minutes away from Tampa Stadium and Tampa International Airport Since then, he has also purchased the Clearwater Beach Hilton, which he plans to expand and renovate next year. Now, with Tampa being awarded the bid for Superbowl XVIII, Woods said he feels Tampa will be placed on a much higher rung on the ladder of success. The economic impact that the football extravaganza will have is estimated from $50 million to $70 million.

Compare that to the last major sports event staged in the Tampa area the 1979 American Bowling Congress tournament, which lasted 83 days and brought an estimated $8 million to the local economy. The Super Bowl is much more than a sporting event. It becomes a wild, free-spending week, with perhaps more competition among corporations than between the teams on the football field. Executives use the glitter of the Super Bowl for the entertainment of important business clients. At the Super Bowl in Pasadena this past January, which followed the annual Rose Bowl festivities by two weeks, the immediate economic impact was said to be nearly triple that of the college football spectacle.

Officials in Detroit figure Super Bowl XVI, which will be played in the Pontiac Silverdome nixt Jan. 24, will be a major boost to.the area's credibility as well as to its sagging economy. "It will mean, economically, well in excess of $60 million to $70 million for the state's economy," said Gov. William G. Milliken.

"But ByJTMSELMAN and HARRY COSTELLO Tribune Staff Writers Why do qualified cities practically get on their knees and beg the National Football League to grant them a Super Bowl game? It's because the Super Bowl has become more than an NFL championship. It's become a "Who's Who in Business" a gigantic economic windfall of at least $50 million, plus business residual for years to come. For example, note New Orleans. It hosted Super Bowls IV, VI, IX, XIII and XV and tried hard to obtain Super Bowl XVIII. After all.

Super Bowl XV last January brought in an estimated $40 million in new money, perhaps 70,000 tourists and created a sales tax windfall of maybe $1.5 million to the city. "One of the most valuable things the Super Bowl does for a city is give it such good exposure," said Jim Hutchinson of the New Orleans Tourist and Convention Commission. "What you get is an exposure to decision-makers because most of the people who come to a Super Bowl are decision-makers. "I have heard figures ranging from $40 million to $100 million in economic impact alone. You can't buy the advertising the television exposure gives you.

For all practical purposes, everybody is watching the game played in your city." In addition to the television exposure, millions of words are spread around the world by newspapers, magazines and radio, all datelined at the game site. The National Football League will accredit more than 1,500 media people who will cover the January 1984 game in Tampa. J. Leonard Levy, chairman of the Tampa Task Force, which attracted Super Bowl XVIII to Tampa at the expense of New Orleans and five other cities, holds identical views to those of Hutchinson in New Orleans. "Using figures coming out of the last two Super Bowls at Pasadena and New Orleans, Super Bowl XVIII probably will have a $50 million impact on the Tampa Bay area," Levy said.

"It is going to be spread out. "Probably more important than that is it puts a focus on Tampa like nothing else we have had here. "It will draw the top executives from all over the country, some of whom are not familiar with our area or who have not visited here before." "Obviously, we have had to meet the requirements of the NFL in providing commitments for hotel rooms, transportation, stadium and practice fields. All the cities had to do By STEVE PIACENTE Tribune Staff Writer Super Bowl garbage, crowds and traffic will cost Tampa taxpayers at least $50,000 in 1984, but Mayor Bob Martinez says it's worth it "Sometimes you make a nominal investment to get a great return," Martinez said this week from Detroit. Estimates of that return have run as high as $75 million, Martinez said.

In addition to committing city manpower and services, Martinez has reserved the main hall at Curtis Hixon Convention Center, 100-acre Horizon Park and the 16-bIock Franklin Street Mall for various Super Bowl parties and ceremonies. Tents will be provided at Horizon Park and at the mall. Martinez said he thinks the city's pnce tag will be small compared with what is spent locally by the estimated 100,000 party-minded gridiron fans who will descend on Tampa. City costs include $50,000 for extra cleanups alone, City Sanitation Director Bob Broa-dussaid. Martinez said Tampa is not a newcomer to handling large crowds and massive clean-ups the two problems he says will most affect municipal services thanks to numerous Tampa Bay Buccaneer sellouts and the annual Gasparilla Day festivals.

"A sellout is a sellout," the mayor said. Accommodations might prove the biggest problem, but that's largely a private matter, Martinez said, adding the city will help if it can. Restaurants will also bulge, but it's doubtful owners will complain. Police Chief Clayton Briggs said he didn't know how much extra police service would cost because, "I don't have any idea what's expected of us yet." Additional officers will be required to keep an eye on traffic and crowds and to provide escorts for some visiting dignitaries, said Martinez aide Bob Morrison. Again, experience with Gasparilla Day and various events at Tampa Stadium means police Morning After.

From Page 1A movie that would be part of the pitch. "As we were setting up," Cromwell would say later, "the Miami guys came in with their slide projectors. Their chins dropped when they saw our movie. Then, when they saw we had Pat Summerall narrating the film, they got really envious. It was a good sign." But that didn't help Levy's nerves.

Pitch time was approaching. While he, his associates, newspeople and delegations from other cities waited, the owners met and met and met, behind closed doors. The game plan as told to Levy was Tampa would make its presentation at 11 a.m., then would come a lunch break and the other pitches. A decision by 3 p.m., was the promise. About 10:45, Joe Robbie, Miami Dolphin owner, came out and said "we're dealing with dibs and dabs.

You won't go in for a while." He said an example of a dib was Buc owner Hugh Culverhouse sending the Bucs on television to Jacksonville. Said he wanted to send the Dolphins there, too. Three times, the security guy came out and told Levy it would be 10 minutes, then 10 minutes, then five. The delegation lined up and waited 16 minutes before the door swung open to the inner sanctum. Cromwell had the champagne ice bucket but not the champagne.

"I feel like honorary pallbearers at a funeral," said Jack Lake as we filed two-abreast into the room. "Or graduating from junior high," said Walter Baldwin, the designated wit on the task force. Rozelle Announced Delegation While we stood near the projector, the ownersgeneral managers seated at tables, Commissioner Pete Rozelle at the head table announced the delegation from Tampa Bay and called on "our friend Leonard Levy" to introduce them. Instead, Levy introduced Whittemore who introduced each task force member, made a few more remarks and presented Tampa Mayor Bob Martinez. Martinez did what he was supposed to do and presented the pitch film.

The film was watched. It was good. It was effective. It drew spontaneous applause after its conclusion. Then Levy made his remarks.

He made no mistakes worthy of demerits. He was brief, but hit all subjects. Attention was impressive. George Young of the New York Giants asked about rooms in the Orlando area, around Disney World and Levy introduced Mike Frost, who co-owns hotels there and said commitments were in. He ad-libbed once then, noting that Orlando rooms were already on computers, but "maybe we ought to take them off." A computer crash at the Detroit Plaza left many owners without rooms.

They were not happy about that NFL owners always have rooms. Another team representative asked about the availability of luxury boxes at Tampa Stadium to team owners. Levy said Buc owner Hugh Culverhouse has the last word on the luxury boxes and said the owners would be taken care of at the Super Bowl. Culverhouse stood to say that would be so and then made a pitch of his own for the game. And that was that.

It was within the time limit of 15 minutes allowed, and again, the presentation drew spontaneous applause. All I "A ,9 that Tampa will host Super Bowl XVIII. UPI fit "I Victory 4 4 4 4 4 4 I Hugh Culverhouse celebrates the announcement Leonard Levy had a lot of time for worry before the good news finally came. On the way out, one whispered to me, "You got it." I told Levy. "Yeah, And some things did begin to happen.

Dallas was in and out in a minute's time. Miami was in and out quickly. Lunch came and more worry time for Levy, now the butt of jokes. He was feeling better though. He'd gone into the presentation sweating.

He came out whistling. Then Came The Waiting In went Pontiac, led by the governor of Michigan. Lots of television coverage there but Pontiac had not a prayer. In went the New Orleans people and Pasadena and then came the waiting. Things were tense.

Cromwell had bought two bottles of champagne and had the cache hidden beneath chairs. Bill Curl of the Superdome in New Orleans, congratulated Tampa people. Said he felt Tampa had it "It was here I got nervous," said Levy. "There was a longer wait than I expected, based on what we'd been told by some friends." Paul Brown of the Bengals and Jim Finks of Chicago left the meeting with their bags. "Wonder what's wrong," wondered Levy, on the cigarettes again.

"Nothing," said a Tampa supporter. "All's been done that can be." An owner on the way to the men's room gave a favorable signal to me. Levy grinned. Robbie of Miami came out and whispered "Tampa" to a Miami newsman. I told Levy.

He grinned bigger. I told his twin brother George first, by mistake. Now the doors to the secret place swung open and out came Culverhouse flashing the for victory sign. Came next Rozelle with the formal announcement. It was Tampa for Super Bowl XVIII in January, 1984.

The cheering in the background came from the weary Tampa task force. "I'm relieved and I'm apprehensive," said Levy. "We got a helluva job ahead of us." "We've had 'em before," said Zalupski. "I mean it was just 16 years ago this month that the Tampa Sports Authority," of which he wasis the executive director, "was formed." Out of it came Tampa Stadium, came expanded Tampa Stadium, came the Bucs, came the Rowdies, comes now one of the world's premier sports events, a Super Bowl. Zounds! from so far away to bid for our game.

One of the reasons we did not pick a site for 1985 was so Miami could be considered." It was clear the NFL is siding with Robbie in a bid for a new home for his Dolphins, hinting perhaps that a Super Bowl would be in the offing if there is a new football stadium in Miami. The NFL also is unhappy with the Super Bowl reception received in New Orleans last year, another reason for the decision for no decision yet for 1985. Rozelle said of the decision for Tampa: "I think one of the things is thai it is an expansion franchise that has supported its team so wefl. There was a drought there. What was it? Twenty-six games? They personified the best of NFL fans.

There also is a unique culture there and think people will enjoy sharing the game. The stadium is excellent and they made an excellent presentation." "Great choice," said Bill Bidwell, owner of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Tampa delegation felt the same way, as it toasted itself and the onesided victory. Cromwell had Rozelle and Culverhouse autograph one of the champagne bottles.

"We'll take it back to the chamber of commerce as a memento of this great thing that has happened," said Cromwell, who supervised the presentation that was received so well. "This is the zenith for the young kid on the NFL block," said Culverhouse, who worked unabashedly on the project "I think when the time for the motion came, about three people spoke for Tampa at once. I believe Bill Sullivan (New England) moved for us and Seattle seconded it." Attorney Culverhouse said he was confident because a "lawyer never wins his case in court He wins it in his office. We had done our homework. The task force has been doing it for months." An obviously relieved Levy said the victory "was because of a tremendous amount of work by a tremendous number of people, and by the great demonstration of faith by Tampa area fans, as well as our unique ability to get things done.

"The goal, as Mr. Culverhouse has said, is to get on a permanent rotation for the Super Bowl. But first we have to do our first one right. Our work has only just begun." Don Weiss, executive director of the NFL, said, "Well begin pn-the-scene visits next week. Somebody'll be down, Congratulations." "We'll let them know we'll be interested again in the future, but let's take one Super Bowl at a time," said a giggly Levy.

"Well, for this one," said Tose of the Eagles, "it wasn't even close. Tampa was a shoo-in." From Page 1A whispered "Tampa" to a Miamian. Culverhouse flashed the sign and said, "As you can see from the smiles on my face and that of my friend Leonard Tose, everything is favorable." "I am delighted to help my friend," said Tose. The opposition was only token," Tose added. Came next Rozelle just as he had seven years ago in New York's Drake Hotel when he announced Tampa Bay had won an NFL franchise to make this latest NFL award to the Tampa Bay area.

He said Tampa Bay had the Super Bowl for 1984. His wife, Carrie, had confided to a couple of Tampa friends the night before that she hoped to see them at Super Bowl time in 1984. All day long rumors continued that the Tampa bid would win. Even rival cities began congratulating Levy. Rozelle said.

"Pontiac and Dallas were the only cities bidding for 1985 alone. The Rose Bowl (Pasadena) bid for either, but we are playing there in 1983 (in Pontiac in 1982). That would be back to back. We had a lengthy discussion on Miami. "We are very flattered so many cities came.