SUPER BOWL XLVI PREGAME SHOW TO FEATURE LENNY KRAVITZ & THE FRAY

KELLY CLARKSON will sing the National Anthem and BLAKE SHELTON and MIRANDA LAMBERT will sing “America The Beautiful” as part of Super Bowl XLVI pregame festivities at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday, February 5, the NFL and NBC announced today. The performance will be televised live on NBC prior to kickoff.

In addition, LENNY KRAVITZ and THE FRAY will help kick off Super Bowl XLVI as part of the pregame festivities at Lucas Oil Stadium.

More than 162 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year’s Super Bowl, the most-watched television program in history. The pregame show, including the National Anthem and “America The Beautiful,” and Super Bowl XLVI will be broadcast worldwide.

Clarkson will make her Super Bowl debut. She is among many great performers who have been honored with singing the Super Bowl National Anthem including: Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Whitney Houston, Harry Connick, Jr., Garth Brooks, Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, Luther Vandross, Jewel, Cher, Faith Hill, the Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Dixie Chicks, Beyoncé Knowles, Christina Aguilera and many more. (See below for a complete list of National Anthem performers from past Super Bowls.)

Shelton & Lambert join VICKI CARR (Super Bowl XI), RAY CHARLES (Super Bowl XXXV), MARY J. BLIGE & MARC ANTHONY (Super Bowl XXXVI), ALICIA KEYS (Super Bowl XXXIX), FAITH HILL (Super Bowl XLIII), QUEEN LATIFAH (Super Bowl XLIV) and LEA MICHELE (Super Bowl XLVI) as the only artists to perform the song at the Super Bowl.

The NFL previously announced that MADONNA will perform in the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show.

The pregame and halftime shows are an NFL NETWORK PRODUCTION and will be executive produced by RICKY KIRSHNER.

Super Bowl XLVI Goes Mobile with The Official Guide Presented by Verizon & Game Program Presented By Chevrolet.

NFL fans will be able to experience all aspects of Super Bowl XLVI at SUPERBOWL.COM with dynamic live programming, community features, in-depth event coverage from reporters and expert analysts, plus an interactive trivia challenge.

THE SUPER BOWL XLVI OFFICIAL GUIDE PRESENTED BY VERIZON features a detailed guide to local restaurants, nightlife, and official Super Bowl events, with a 3D map of Indianapolis and an interactive 3D map of Lucas Oil Stadium for game day. Follow all of the social media buzz, pin your parking spot and find your seating section in the stadium, plus much more. You can get the app on your Android phone (http://market.android.com/details?id=com.nfl.sbxlviguide), Android tablet (http://market.android.com/details?id=com.nfl.sbxlviguidetab) or iTunes App Store (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sb-xlvi-guide/id413928892?mt=8).

THE SUPER BOWL XLVI GAME PROGRAM PRESENTED BY CHEVROLET is a digital version of the iconic souvenir program optimized for a tablet. With additional interactive content, the Program chronicles the New York Giants’ and New England Patriots’ roads to Super Bowl XLVI, captures memories of past Super Bowls and recaps key moments from the 2011 season. “The Super Bowl XLVI Game Program Presented by Chevrolet” will be available for free in the Android Market and iTunes App Store.

SUPERBOWL.COM contains detailed information on events during the week, live streaming of Media Day and Radio Row, a visitor’s guide and how to buy Super Bowl XLVI tickets. Fans may visit SUPERBOWL.COM to find out locations around Indianapolis of all official NFL Shops at Super Bowl XLVI as well as information about The NFL Experience presented by GMC, pro football’s interactive theme park. Fans may follow @nfl and @superbowl on Twitter or go to www.superbowl.com/nflx for the most up-to-date information on player and celebrity appearances at The NFL Experience.

Fans may watch live online streaming of the week’s biggest events including Super Bowl XLVI Media Day, Super Bowl Live from Radio Row, the Commissioner’s news conference, and the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2012.

In addition to the unprecedented live Super Bowl streaming on NBCSports.com and NFL.com, the Super Bowl broadcast will be exclusively available to Verizon Wireless mobile customers in the U.S. via NFL Mobile only from Verizon. The NFL Mobile only from Verizon app also includes exclusive live streaming of the Super Bowl XLVI radio broadcasts in English and Spanish, as well as on-demand Super Bowl XLVI video highlights. NFL Mobile only from Verizon users can get additional Super Bowl XLVI coverage on the application’s live 24-7 stream of NFL Network. For more information on mobile access, Verizon Wireless customers can visit: http://verizonwireless.com/nfl/.

NFL.com also features a powerful lineup, including senior writers Steve Wyche and Jason La Canfora, analysts Bucky Brooks, Gil Brandt and Elliot Harrison and national reporter Jeff Darlington. Information and insight from NFL Network reporter Albert Breer, former front office executive Michael Lombardi and Super Bowl XXXV winning coach Brian Billick round out the comprehensive coverage.

On game day, fans around the globe can listen to international radio broadcasts of Super Bowl XLVI. NFL.com will stream broadcasts from 10 countries including Spain, Germany, China, Russia and Japan. Additionally, Super Bowl commercials will be available on SUPERBOWL.COM at the end of each quarter. Fans will be able to rate, comment on, and share the commercials.

For the twelfth consecutive year, fans will be able to vote for the Super Bowl XLVI MVP presented by Chevrolet on NFL.com. In addition, fans also will be able to visit NFL.com on web-enabled mobile devices to vote for the MVP. In the fourth quarter of the game, fans, along with a media panel, will select the MVP, who will be awarded the Pete Rozelle Trophy. Combined votes on NFL.com and web-enabled mobile devices will count 20 percent towards the MVP.

Fans can test their Super Bowl knowledge with the NFL Two-Minute Trivia Super Bowl game. To prepare for the challenge, check out the comprehensive history section that includes highlights from the first 45 Super Bowl games.

42nd Year of TV’s Longest-Running, Most-Honored Annual Sports Special.

One-Hour Special Culled From 1.7 Million Feet of Game Film & 400 Hours of Game Audio from 133 Coaches & Players.

How did the New York Giants and New England Patriots advance to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis? Re-live the journey as only NFL Films can present it on “Road to the Super Bowl” on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5 at 12:00 Noon ET on NBC.

“Road to the Super Bowl” begins with Kickoff Weekend and chronicles the 2011 NFL season utilizing NFL Films’ signature captivating video and sound from on the field and in the locker room from exclusive player and coach wirings.

“For those who love football, this show is red meat,” said NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “No interviews, no talking heads, all action.”

“Road to the Super Bowl” is the longest-running (42 years) and most honored (28 Sports Emmys) annual sports special. “Road to the Super Bowl,” which debuted following the 1969 season, was culled by NFL Films producers from more than 1.7 million feet of game footage to 980 feet for the one-hour special. In addition, more than 400 hours of audio were captured from 133 exclusive coach and player on-field wirings. Original orchestral music, including a 60-person choir, was used in producing the show.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – 4:30 PM – MURAT THEATRE, INDIANAPOLIS

FIRST-EVER 2-HOUR PRIMETIME AWARDS SHOW ON NBC SALUTES TOP PLAYERS & PERFORMANCES FROM 2011 SEASON

WHAT: The night before the two top teams kick off Super Bowl XLVI, the National Football League will salute its best players and plays from the 2011 season with a star-studded football and entertainment event - “NFL Honors” - a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on February 4, 9-11 p.m. (ET) on NBC. “NFL Honors” will tape from 6 – 8 p.m. that evening. The Red Carpet preceding the taping will feature many of the stars that will be celebrating the best of the NFL later that evening.

WHERE: Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN

WHEN: Saturday, February 4
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Please be positioned on the Red Carpet by 4:00 pm

Note: The Red Carpet will be positioned outside the Murat Theatre in a heated tent. However, please come prepared for the cold as you may have to walk outside or stand outside at points.

PLAYERS, COACHES, OWNERS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR INCLUDE:

ERIC BERRY, Kansas City Chiefs
LeGARRETTE BLOUNT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NaVORRO BOWMAN, San Francisco 49ers
DREW BREES, New Orleans Saints
ANTONIO BROWN, Pittsburgh Steelers
RANDALL COBB, Green Bay Packers
JOSH CRIBBS, Cleveland Browns
ANDY DALTON, Cincinnati Bengals
VERNON DAVIS, San Francisco 49ers
D’BRICKASHAW FERGUSON, New York Jets
LARRY FITZGERALD, Arizona Cardinals
RYAN FITZPATRICK, Buffalo Bills
MATT FORTE, Chicago Bears
ARIAN FOSTER, Houston Texans
ANTONIO GATES, San Diego Chargers
TONY GONZALEZ, Atlanta Falcons
A.J. GREEN, Cincinnati Bengals
MATT HASSELBECK, Tennessee Titans
DEVIN HESTER, Chicago Bears
DeSEAN JACKSON, Philadelphia Eagles
D’QWELL JACKSON, Cleveland Browns
STEVEN JACKSON, St. Louis Rams
STEVIE JOHNSON, Buffalo Bills
MAURICE JONES-DREW, Jacksonville Jaguars
RYAN KERRIGAN, Washington Redskins
RAY LEWIS, Baltimore Ravens
CHRIS LONG, St. Louis Rams
MARSHAWN LYNCH, Seattle Seahawks
PEYTON MANNING, Indianapolis Colts
BRANDON MARSHALL, Miami Dolphins
LeSEAN McCOY, Philadelphia Eagles
VON MILLER, Denver Broncos
DeMARCO MURRAY, Dallas Cowboys
CAM NEWTON, Carolina Panthers
PATRICK PETERSON, Arizona Cardinals
CHRISTIAN PONDER, Minnesota Vikings
RAY RICE, Baltimore Ravens
AARON RODGERS, Green Bay Packers
JEFF SATURDAY, Indianapolis Colts
JEROME SIMPSON, Cincinnati Bengals
ALDON SMITH, San Francisco 49ers
ALEX SMITH, San Francisco 49ers
MATTHEW STAFFORD, Detroit Lions
TERRELL SUGGS, Baltimore Ravens
TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos
DeMARCUS WARE, Dallas Cowboys
REGGIE WAYNE, Indianapolis Colts
PATRICK WILLIS, San Francisco 49ers
JASON WITTEN, Dallas Cowboys

CONNIE, JARRETT & BRITTNEY PAYTON

BUD ADAMS
TROY AIKMAN
BRIAN BILLICK
BOOMER ESIASON
MARSHALL FAULK
MICHAEL IRVIN
JIM KELLY
ARCHIE MANNING
STEVE MARIUCCI
GEORGE MARTIN
MIKE MAYOCK
JOE MONTANA
ANTHONY MUNOZ
SEAN PAYTON
ANDRE REED
JERRY RICE
REX RYAN
BARRY SANDERS
DEION SANDERS
WARREN SAPP
SHANNON SHARPE
DON SHULA
PHIL SIMMS
KURT WARNER
STEVE YOUNG

The NFL and The Associated Press will announce their annual accolades in an awards show format for the first time. The full list of awards that will be presented later that evening will be:

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
AP Most Valuable Player
AP Coach of the Year presented by XFINITY, only from Comcast
AP Comeback Player of the Year presented by Van Heusen
AP Offensive Player of the Year presented by Castrol
AP Defensive Player of the Year
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year presented by Pepsi Max
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year presented by Pepsi Max
Pepsi Rookie of the Year
GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year
NFL .com Fantasy Player of the Year presented by Papa John’s
Play of the Year presented by Bridgestone
Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC
Salute To Service Award Presented by USAA
Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award

First-ever award winner will be named during NFL Honors event on February 4.

NEW YORK – With Super Bowl XLVI around the corner and the spotlight on the field, the NFL is recognizing excellence off the field by announcing today the two finalists for the League’s inaugural Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.

USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to members of the U.S. military and their families, is the NFL’s first Official Military Appreciation Sponsor.

Tennessee Titans owner K.S. “BUD” ADAMS JR. and Baltimore Ravens head coach JOHN HARBAUGH were selected for their exceptional efforts to honor and support members of the military community. The first Salute to Service Award will be presented to one of the finalists at the inaugural NFL Honors event that will air on NBC Saturday, February 4 at 9 PM ET. In addition, a $25,000 contribution will be made by USAA in the winner’s honor to the aid societies representing all five military branches.

“We should never take for granted the tremendous sacrifices made daily by our nation’s military,” said Steve Speakes, executive vice president of USAA’s external affairs and a retired Army lieutenant general. “Together with the NFL, we are launching the Salute to Service Award as a way to recognize those in the NFL community who appreciate and honor that sacrifice, enrich the lives of military members and encourage others to do the same.”

An ardent backer of the military in his 52 years as owner, Bud Adams’ enthusiasm for the military began with his service in the U.S. Navy from 1942-46. His commitment to supporting the military followed him and the franchise to Tennessee where he focused his efforts on recognizing the service men and women of nearby Fort Campbell, home to the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, as well as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) and the 5th Special Forces Group (Green Berets).

Since 1999, more than 11,000 Fort Campbell soldiers have been guests of Adams at Titans home games, and it’s very common for Adams to host military members in his suite and award game balls as a tribute to their service. Adams’ support at Fort Campbell includes directing the team to make several visits during the year where Titans players, cheerleaders, and staff can participate in autograph sessions at the PX, greet patients at the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, provide programs to the on-base middle school and visit with the on-base high school football team.

Similarly, John Harbaugh’s dedication includes frequent base visits, and he relishes interaction with the military community. His passion for supporting the troops was felt immediately by the Ravens’ organization after being named head coach in 2008. Harbaugh was the main driver in the team’s decision to institute a Military Appreciation Day, an annual event which was established during his first training camp with the team. Since then, an estimated 2,000 service members have enjoyed preferred seating and opportunities to meet with players and coaches during Ravens’ camp.

Away from the field, Harbaugh often recruits Ravens players and coaches to join him during base visits, and even took members of his team to the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif., last December in the middle of the Ravens’ playoff run. He has also spent significant time and funds putting together care packages for soldiers overseas, and caches of school supplies for military families.

In December, 22 NFL clubs nominated for this award coaches, active and retired players, and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community. The submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges based on the positive effect of the individual’s efforts on the military community, the type of service conducted, the thoroughness of the program and level of commitment.

The panel of judges, consisting of representatives from the U.S. military, the NFL and USAA, includes:
· Roger Staubach, Naval Academy graduate, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and Super Bowl MVP
· Chad Hennings, Air Force Academy graduate, three-time Super Bowl champion
· Rocky Bleier, U.S. Army veteran, four-time Super Bowl champion
· Jim Mora, Sr., Marine Corps veteran, former NFL head coach
· General Stephen Speakes, U.S. Army veteran, USAA executive vice president
· Eric Grubman, Naval Academy graduate, executive vice president—NFL Ventures and Business Operations

"Bud and John’s efforts demonstrate how members of the NFL family can inspire us both on and off the field," said Roger Staubach. "Their service to the military community is a reminder that we can never do enough to show our appreciation for all the men and women in uniform who defend and protect us."

All Salute to Service nominees are listed below:

NOMINEE-TEAM-TITLE

KS Bud Adams Jr.
Tennessee Titans
Founder, Owner, Chairman of the Board

Jared Allen
Minnesota Vikings
Defensive End

Jason Baker
Carolina Panthers
Punter

Tom Coughlin
New York Giants
Head Coach

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Dallas Cowboys
Cheerleaders

Kris Dielman
San Diego Chargers
Left Guard

Mark Dominik
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
General Manager

Anthony Fasano
Miami Dolphins
Wide Receiver

Mike Flood
Seattle Seahawks
Vice President, Community Relations & Special Projects

Drayton Florence
Buffalo Bills
Defensive Back

John Harbaugh
Baltimore Ravens
Head Coach

Robert Wood Johnson IV
New York Jets
Chairman & CEO

Gary Kubiak
Houston Texans
Head Coach

Lonie Paxton
Denver Broncos
Long Snapper

Troy Polamalu
Pittsburgh Steelers
Strong Safety

Marco Rivera
Green Bay Packers
Guard (Retired)

Joe Thomas
Cleveland Browns
Offensive Lineman

Charles Tillman
Chicago Bears
Cornerback

Chad Walker
Detroit Lions
Community Affairs Coordinator

Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
Washington Redskins
Cheerleaders

Roddy White
Atlanta Falcons
Director of Event Marketing

Kurt Wisenbaugh
Jacksonville Jaguars
Manager, Events and Game Operations

About USAA
USAA provides insurance and more to 8.6 million members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving or have honorably served our nation in the U.S. military – and their families. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit USAA.com.

On Sunday, Super Bowl XLVI will be played in Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Stadium. In addition to watching the biggest game of the year, the more than 70,000 fans in attendance and the millions viewing at home will see numerous advertisements and promotions. The NFL, obviously, will decide what fans see. Companies will pay the NFL for that privilege and they will want it to be as exclusive as possible.

Less obviously, the NFL will decide what fans see outside the stadium, possibly even miles away from it and on public streets. That is because of Prop 188, which was approved by council members of the City of Indianapolis and Marion County and which authorizes "clean zones" in the stadium's vicinity. In these zones, those who wish to advertise or promote commercial activity in any way connected to the Super Bowl -- whether it be selling football themed T-shirts, memorabilia, snacks or advertising those items through banners, signs, building wraps, electronic and mobile messages, inflatable soda bottles and beer cans etc. -- must first receive approval from the NFL and obtain from the government a "limited duration license," which in most cases costs $75.

Clean zones not only impact a vendor who shows up on the day of the Super Bowl and then leaves town. Even long-standing restaurants and retail stores, provided they are located within a clean zone, will need permission from the NFL to capitalize on the Super Bowl in their signage and advertising. Local authorities will enforce the clean zones and violators can be fined hundreds of dollars as well as have their items seized and impounded.

Clean zones are not new. Municipalities hosting recent Super Bowls have adopted them as an NFL requirement for hosting the game. In 2006, Detroit adopted a 300-mile clean zone for Super Bowl XL. Last year, the City of Arlington, Texas, instituted a one-mile zone for Super Bowl XLV; if Arlington had failed to pass a clean zone ordinance, the local host committee was obligated to pay the league $1 million. Clean zones have also been adopted for other major sporting events, including the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, NCAA tournament games and the College World Series.

The Indianapolis clean zone ordinance, which now governs all large sporting events in the city (including the Big Ten Football Championship game that was played on Dec. 3), is distinguishable because of its scope and flexibility. It is apparently the first ordinance to authorize the creation of multiple clean zones and of adjustable radius. Specifically, an Indianapolis official -- the "license administrator" -- decides where and how expansively to lay the zones. The NFL could conceivably hold significant control over commercial activity in most of Indianapolis's downtown area during Super Bowl XLVI.

Clean zones raise a number of questions. Should communities hosting Super Bowls effectively grant the NFL commercial and speech power over other businesses, including those that have been local fixtures for decades? Are clean zones cooperative efforts or government capitulations? Could they be enforced in ways that involve uneasy entwinements of police and NFL-hired private security?

Why Clean Zones Make Sense

Advocates of clean zones insist they provide substantial benefits to those attending games and to local communities. For one, clean zones curb "ambush marketing," also known as "parasite sponsoring." In the absence of clean zones, companies that lack sponsorships with the NFL might try to confuse Super Bowl attendees into believing the NFL has approved them as corporate partners. As a result, consumers could be duped into paying top dollar for counterfeit and inferior "NFL" merchandise. Alternatively, consumers might trust that a particular food vendor has been approved by the NFL, when in fact no such approval occurred. Clean zones thus raise the reliability and authenticity of commercial activities around the Super Bowl.

Companies that pay to enjoy a relationship with the NFL are also protected by clean zones. Those companies would be harmed if ambush marketers could trick consumers into believing they too are official sponsors. Along those lines, the economic value of an official relationship with the league would suffer if an unofficial or unauthorized relationship furnished the same benefits. The NFL would in turn command less money for official relationships, meaning less money would be distributed to teams and players.

Companies that pay for an official relationship also pay for exclusivity in reaching consumers. In a clean zone, competition is restricted to those businesses legally authorized to sell and advertise. Ambush marketers are thus denied the chance to free ride off the NFL's name, offer lower prices and "steal" away customers.

Clean zones also empower the NFL to control the intensity and appropriateness of commercial activities. The league does not want Super Bowl goers to experience a bombardment of visuals and words, especially those that are offensive or inappropriate. By requiring its permission to advertise in a clean zone, the NFL can reject less reputable promoters.

Lastly, clean zones may provide a safer experience for Super Bowl attendees. A reduction in the sheer number of promoters means more physical space for those in attendance and better access for law enforcement to ensure safety.

Why Clean Zones Don't Make Sense

Clean zones raise a bevy of concerns.

For one, clean zones unabashedly limit competition when businesses are denied permission from the league or city. A decrease in competition implicates two core worries of antitrust law: fewer choices and higher prices for consumers. So perhaps instead of two dozen T-shirt street vendors around Lucas Oil Stadium, the NFL only grants permission to a handful. Although they would still compete with vendors of other items, the licensed vendors might charge more and offer less variety.

Second, clean zones restrict commercial speech, meaning speech that solicits a commercial transaction, such as when a company advertises or promotes a product. To be sure, commercial speech is accorded much less protection under the law than political speech. While the First Amendment aggressively protects one's right to express personal opinions from government suppression, a government, such as the City of Indianapolis, can readily limit commercial speech that is deceptive and misleading.

Not all the commercial speech impacted by a clean zone may be deceptive or misleading. Otherwise legitimate vendors may simply want to promote their goods, on public streets, without paying for a license. To restrict the commercial speech of these vendors, the clean zone will need to directly advance an important governmental interest (for example, public health or safety) and it cannot be more restrictive than necessary. The expansiveness of the Indianapolis clean zone ordinance -- which could lead to multiple clean zones of any size in the vicinity of the Super Bowl -- suggests that it may be unnecessarily broad.

Third, clean zones may undermine a key rationale for a city hosting a Super Bowl: to generate money for local businesses. The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event of the year and attracts multinational corporations to advertise. Local companies, in contrast, could risk denial by the NFL for permission to connect their business to the game, especially if those local companies sell items that compete with items sold by official sponsors.

Fourth, clean zones raise questions of entanglement, particularly in terms of how clean zones arise and their implementation and enforcement. If the NFL selects a city to host a Super Bowl, that city must pass a clean zone or it will be obligated to pay the NFL a substantial fee. While there is nothing illegal about the NFL yielding its power or a local government determining that landing a Super Bowl is worth meeting the NFL's demands, the idea that a professional sports league can effectively "force" a government body into passing a law is disquieting.

Then there are issues of implementation and enforcement. In last year's Super Bowl XLV, the league and local Arlington authorities coordinated on implementation of a clean zone ordinance. The league also hired private security officers to enforce the ordinance. These officers assigned tickets to violators, who, though only fined, had technically committed a misdemeanor criminal offense. Should the NFL's private police have "jurisdiction" over anyone, especially those outside of football stadiums?

Fifth, clean zones may be unnecessary. Existing laws already prohibit the sale of counterfeit goods and deceptive marketing practices. The federal Trademark Counterfeiting Act of 1984 and the Anticounterfeiting Consumer Protection Act of 1996, for instance, ban the transportation and sale of counterfeit goods, with violators subject to millions of dollars in fines and decades in prison. The federal Lanham Act bans false and misleading advertising. Indiana and the City of Indianapolis, for their part, provide their own laws designed to address the same underlying problems. While clean zones furnish added and event-specific protection, they may be undesirable on balance when weighing their drawbacks.

Eric Williams v. NFL: A Clean Zone Test Case

Last year anti-bullying advocate Eric Williams teamed up with Best Buy on what seemed like a promising idea: Williams would park his bus in Best Buy's parking lot near Cowboys Stadium between Feb. 4 and Feb. 6 and host a John Madden video game tournament. Williams would charge participants of the tournament, which would teach children about how to detect and stop bullying.

The tournament never happened.

Arlington police and code enforcement officers asked Williams if he had a permit to be there. He did not and saw no reason why he should. After all, his bus was on Best Buy's private property, with the store's express invitation. The security officers nonetheless insisted that Williams move the bus, since it was a commercial operation located within a clean zone ordinance.

Williams refused to leave and was ticketed as an ambusher marketer. Police officers arrived soon thereafter and, allegedly with hands on their guns and sirens and lights blaring, informed Williams that he would be arrested if he didn't leave. Although highly embarrassed and offended, Williams left.

With the help of Dallas attorneys Jonathan Winocour and Corrina Chandler, Williams is in the midst of a litigation against the NFL, the City of Arlington and other parties connected to Super Bowl XLV over the constitutionality of the clean zone ordinance and the so-called "pervasive entwinement" of its implementation and enforcement. Williams, who is African-American, also maintains his civil rights were violated. Most of the persons charged as ambush marketers were either African-American or Hispanic, all were persons rather than businesses (Best Buy interestingly was not ticketed) and Williams insists that his bus was targeted for expulsion because of its images of African-Americans.

The league categorically rejects the accusations. It also maintains that it is immune from liability because of the Noerr-Pennington doctrine, a powerful doctrine that protects the right of persons (including businesses like the NFL) to lobby for passage of laws. Even if the Arlington clean zone ordinance is deemed unconstitutional, the NFL believes it should escape responsibility. The doctrine is premised on the idea that persons should be able to petition for laws without later being exposed to liability because of their petitioning. Put another way, if you could later get sued for trying to get a law passed, you wouldn't try to get that law passed and your First Amendment rights, along with the general fabric of our democracy, would be harmed.

Williams's case has moved pass a motion to dismiss and is headed for trial before U.S. District Judge Terry Means in Fort Worth in May. Should the parties fail to reach a settlement, a trial could provide a landmark test case on the legality of clean zone ordinances.

(source Michael McCann SI.com)

Toyota Motor Sales, Monday announced the premiere of the extended version of its Super Bowl XLVI commercial. The spot takes a cue from the marketing campaign promoting the striking reinvention of the 2012 Camry, America's best-selling car for 10 consecutive years. The 60-second "Reinvented" spot is available for preview at Toyota's YouTube page, while the television premiere of the 30-second version on Sunday, February 5th, will mark the brand's return to Super Bowl advertising for the first time in three years.
The ad provides a humorous take on potential day-to-day experiences and items that could have been reinvented, such as a baby that never requires a diaper change, the Department of Motor Vehicles as an enjoyable place of fun and smiles, and house plants that defend against intruders by fighting crime. The premise of the spot is that good things are always better when reinvented; and in this case, they are also funnier.

"Reinvention is a powerful idea and one we took to heart when we redesigned America's most popular car with the launch of the 2012 Camry and elevated it above the competition," said Bill Fay, group vice president of marketing at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "The Super Bowl provides a forum to really drive home the reinvention message of the seventh-generation Camry, using humor to resonate with the American public."

The commercial will be one of two 30-second spots Toyota will be airing during the internationally-viewed game. The ad, created by Toyota's agency of record Saatchi & Saatchi LA, is slated to be broadcast during the third quarter of the game and is supported by an interactive social media extension that will kick-off following the commercial. Viewers will be encouraged to tweet with the #Reinvented hashtag about what they'd like to see reinvented and selected tweets will be responded to in real-time with a creative depiction of their idea.

Pepsi MAX, the official soft drink of the NFL, Monday announced that it will debut a new 30-second spot during the Super Bowl and be part of multiple activities during Super Bowl week in Indianapolis.

The Pepsi MAX commercial entitled "Check-Out" is the newest edition to the brand's playful Cola Wars campaign. The spot depicts a competitor's deliveryman attempting to discreetly purchase a bottle of Pepsi MAX at the supermarket when he unexpectedly becomes the grand prize winner of "Pepsi MAX for Life." As a surprise "on the spot" reporter, Regis Philbin appears to get the embarrassed driver's thoughts on his big win. This role marks Philbin's first television project since leaving Regis & Kelly.

A brand known for featuring great music as part of its Super Bowl ads, Pepsi MAX tapped Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles to record a renowned country ballad to accompany the spot.

"The 'Check-Out' ad was developed to extend the legendary cola wars through a humorous scenario," said Amy Wirtanen, Senior Director, Pepsi Marketing. "The brand has a history of producing star-studded Super Bowl ads, and as one of the most iconic personalities to ever appear on television, Regis Philbin with his witty sense of humor was a funny highlight for this commercial."

A longtime Super Bowl advertiser, Pepsi will also debut the highly anticipated X Factor spot featuring winner Melanie Amaro during the game this year.

In addition to its Super Bowl advertising, Pepsi will participate in several Super Bowl XLVI activities from January 27- February 5 in Indianapolis including:

NFL Experience

The Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam Concert Series

Tazon Latino VI Presented by Pepsi

Pre-Super Bowl PepsiCo Bash

Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award

NFL Honors

As an extension of the "Pepsi MAX for Life" Facebook video contest, Pepsi MAX will offer consumers the chance to win Pepsi MAX for life at its footprint at NFL Experience. The "Pepsi MAX for Life" contest, which runs from January 13 - February 13, 2012, gives NFL fans the chance to receive a lifetime supply of Pepsi MAX by recording entertaining videos on why they deserve to win. The Pepsi MAX footprint will also include sampling and a football themed obstacle course. Fans not visiting NFL Experience can go to PepsiMAX.com to participate in the "Pepsi MAX for Life" video contest.

Pepsi is also the official sponsor of the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam Concert Series and Tazon Latino VI Presented by Pepsi, the annual celebrity flag football game featuring notable NFL alumni and Hispanic celebrities.

The popular Univision Pepsi Musica Fan Jam concert, the ultimate Latin music celebration, will take place on February 1 and feature world famous musicians Don Omar and L. Hernandez among others. On February 2, Pepsi will keep the music coming with the VH1 Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam, a premier, nationally-televised (live on VH1) concert featuring star-studded performances by Gym Glass Heroes, B.o.B and the All-American Rejects, with guest appearances by top celebrities and NFL players. In addition, Pepsi will hold its annual pre-Super Bowl party on Friday, February 3, featuring musical performances by One Republic and Melanie Amaro. The third Pepsi Fan Jam concert, the CMT Crossroads Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam will take place Saturday, February 4 with talent Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood.

Since 2002 Pepsi has presented the fan selected Pepsi Rookie of the Year award. This year, the Pepsi Rookie of the Year award will be presented during the inaugural NFL Honors award show hosted by Alec Baldwin and airing Saturday, February 4 at 9 PM EST on NBC. As part of the broadcast, a 60-second Pepsi MAX Rookie Audible by Nick Javas will air recapping all five of the Pepsi Rookie of the Year nominees: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals; Von Miller, Denver Broncos; Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals; Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers. Pepsi MAX is also the presenting sponsor of the AP Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards.

To celebrate PepsiCo's new partnership with Papa John's, Pepsi MAX will be included in the Papa John's promotion surrounding the Super Bowl. Between January 22 and February 1, Papa John's is challenging America to "call" the coin toss for Super Bowl XLVI at papajohns.com. If America gets it right, all members of Papa Rewards - Papa John's customer loyalty program - will get a free large pizza and a two-liter bottle of Pepsi MAX.

As the New England Patriots and New York Giants face off in Sunday's Super Bowl, another team also is hoping to gain some much-needed yardage: NBC.

The Comcast Corp. broadcaster long has languished in fourth place among U.S. television networks in prime-time ratings. But a crush of more than 100 million viewers on Sunday could push NBC to No. 3, ahead of Walt Disney Co.'s ABC, in the season-long ratings race.

For the third straight year, Sunday's game could reset the bar as the most-watched telecast in U.S. history.

NBC also is looking to score a more important goal: enticing gridiron viewers to stick around for the rest of the network's shows. To that end, NBC plans to air one of its few new hits, reality show "The Voice," immediately after the game ends.

There are signs that Sunday's game will be a big draw. For the third straight year, it could reset the bar as the most-watched telecast in U.S. history.

This year's playoff games averaged 38.3 million viewers during any given minute, up 1.7% from last year, according to Nielsen. In contrast, the audience for regular-season games had slipped 2.1% to an average of 17.5 million viewers.

Perhaps most importantly, both the Giants and the Patriots have national followings—and drama is left over from their Super Bowl nail biter four years ago.

"The matchup is adding a lot more excitement because of the sheer size of the markets, the fact that you have celebrity-caliber players and a rematch of one of the best Super Bowls," says Paul Chibe, vice president of U.S. marketing for Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, a big Super Bowl advertiser.

Joel Ewanick, General Motors Co.'s ad czar, says having two popular teams from the East Coast may help ratings because viewers in the teams' time zone are more likely to stick around to the end of the game, which doesn't get under way until around 6:30 p.m.

Big ratings could validate the nearly $28 billion, nine-year deal that NBC, CBS Corp. and News Corp.'s Fox struck recently to extend their rights to National Football League games. That deal had fueled growing concerns in the TV industry that costs for live sports are threatening to push consumers' monthly cable bills too high—potentially driving some people to cut their service. (News Corp. also owns The Wall Street Journal.)

For NBC, the upside of a big Super Bowl audience won't come in direct dollars, despite some advertisers' paying a record $3.5 million for 30 seconds of ad time. The network generally won't get any more ad dollars for spots sold in the game if more people tune in than expected. The biggest upside—and biggest challenge—for NBC is whether it can effectively use the game to promote itself.

NBC during the game will air many promotions for its shows, most notably for "The Voice" and its musical series "Smash," which makes its debut the night after the game. The network also is shooting a top-secret promo that involves nearly all the network's stars and has musical elements, according to people familiar with the matter.

NBC plans to stream the big game on the Web—the first time that has happened in the U.S. But the network says it doesn't believe streaming will cut into TV ratings. In part, NBC says the Web offering works better when viewers use it as a complement to TV viewing because it gives them the ability to choose alternate camera angles and to replay highlights.

The online service also will allow viewers to replay the game's splashy commercials—including NBC's promotions.

(source WSJ.com)

Reporting from Foxborough, Mass. In so many ways, the last year has been the most successful for Robert Kraft as owner of the New England Patriots.

He had a vitally important role in getting the 10-year labor agreement with the players and was one of the principals in negotiating the latest record-setting round of TV deals, and now his Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the fifth time since 2001.

Kraft is also living with a heartbreaking void he will never fill. He lost his wife, Myra, to ovarian cancer in July at age 68. They were married 48 years, have four sons; a life chronicled in the hundreds of family pictures decorating the walls and every inch of desk and counter space in Robert's office at Gillette Stadium.

He sat at his desk last week and tried to put words to the two divergent directions his life has taken, the satisfaction of achieving such lofty goals but the overwhelming sadness of doing so alone, without the woman who was with him for every step for half a century.

"This team has carried me through ... " Kraft said at a whisper, wiping his eyes.

"I mean, look, she was 19, I was 20. We're on our first date and she proposed, and we were together ever since. I thought she was going to outlive me 30 years. Everything except for this bloody ovarian cancer. … So life is a gift and you've got to cherish the ones you love."

In a world where high-powered sports owners are more often resented and despised, the people in New England and around the NFL cherished the Krafts, and recognized Myra's dedication to philanthropy in particular. Forbes magazine estimated the Krafts were worth about $1.3 billion in 2007 and, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, the couple had given away more than $100 million in the four years preceding that.

Myra had given up her plans to attend law school to raise her sons.

"She was petite, but you shouldn't be fooled how strong she was," Kraft said. "She read four books a week. Thank God for the Kindle and the iPad, because when we'd go overseas or traveling we always had a heavy bag loaded up with books."

In 1995, Myra became the first woman to chair the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, a position she held until 2002. She later served as chair of the board of directors of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and was involved with dozens of other charities.

All season, the Patriots have worn an "MHK" uniform patch over their hearts — for Myra Hiatt Kraft — and in a poignant moment in their locker room after a game, they presented Robert with an oil painting of players clenching their raised hands together in a huddle, under Myra's initials.

During the victory over Baltimore in the AFC championship game, Patriots running backBenJarvus Green-Ellis pointed to the patch on his chest after a big play. Later, when presented the conference champion trophy, Kraft touched his hand to his lips, touched the MHK pin on his lapel, then raised his hand to the sky.

Kraft said he made that gesture because he couldn't have kept his composure on the podium.

"I was worried getting that trophy …" he said, his voice sounding thick again.

As an owner, Kraft has established Hall of Fame credentials. He is the only owner to build a stadium with all private money and without selling personal-seat licenses, and he has overseen the redefining of the Patriots as a crown-jewel franchise.

In the 18 years he has owned the franchise, the Patriots have the best record in the league at 212-104, including postseason (.671), with only Pittsburgh at 201-113-1 (.640) and Green Bay at 200-114 (.637) passing the 200-victory milestone over that span.

Not only did Kraft keep the team in the Boston area — something that was never guaranteed — but also his team represents a cornerstone market among AFC teams, whereas the NFC has teams in seven of the top nine media markets: New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Atlanta.

Steve Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, called Kraft a mentor and even a father figure since the death of his father, Robert Tisch, in 2005.

"Bob is the strongest, most passionate and caring of the owners in the NFL," Tisch said of Kraft. "His commitment to the league is 100%. ... His guidance and friendship over the years has been incredibly valuable to me, and the relationship is an important and strong one."

During the contentious negotiations with the players for a new collective bargaining agreement, Kraft's attention was divided. His wife's health was failing, and he essentially turned their Boston-area home into a hospital so that she would be as comfortable as possible. Even though the labor talks were almost always out of town, he seldom spent the night away from home, instead flying to the meetings in the morning and home that evening, always getting the blessing of his wife before he left her.

"It was just excruciating," said Dean Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers, who was also involved in the negotiations. "It was very difficult to watch. Your heart went out to him. It was agonizing.

"You have to have a tremendous amount of respect for what he was going through, and for what he accomplished for the league."

At the news conference when the new CBA was announced, five days after Myra had died, Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday wrapped his arm around Kraft and somberly thanked him for helping "save football."

The pain was evident in Kraft's eyes then, just as it is now. He said he has drawn strength from simply being around his players and coaches.

"The team has been my savior," he said. "I've had my kids, my four sons and eight grandchildren and this team has been kind of my extended family."

At least one fellow owner believes the way the Patriots have rallied around Kraft will make them that much more difficult for the Giants to beat Sunday.

"I know how much Robert means to that team and how much his family means to that team," said Jed York, owner of the San Francisco 49ers. "I don't think there's any way the Patriots lose.

"I know how my family reacted when my grandfather [Edward DeBartolo Sr.] passed away in 1994 before our last Super Bowl win. There's no way they were going to lose the Super Bowl that year, no matter who they played. They were going to do whatever they had to do to win. And I think we're going to see that from the Patriots this year."

Regardless of what happens on the field, however, Kraft is dealing with a loss he cannot replace, a pain he cannot salve.

"I believe in spirituality," he said. "I believe we have an angel smiling down."

This article was written by Sam Farmer and appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

Crazy crowds have led to crazy business on Georgia Street over the weekend.

Hot Box Pizza, with just 15 seats, saw triple the business as it dished out slices to hundreds of Super Bowl partiers until 4 in the morning.

Dunkin' Donuts at Bankers Life Fieldhouse sold so many cups of coffee and hot chocolate that plans call for it to operate 24 hours a day beginning Thursday.

And the Lids athletic apparel pop-up location on the second floor of the empty Nordstrom store -- currently known as The Huddle -- has been jammed with long lines.

"It's like an amusement park," said a Lids employee.

This is not a surprise, of course. But it has been a blessing for businesses that are not usually busy on the weekends.

"We've been insanely busy," said Hot Box Pizza owner Gabe Connell. "Three times busier than normal. And hopefully it's just a preview of what it's going to be like this weekend."

Slices of pizza and orders of breadsticks, at $4 a pop, have been huge sellers. Most Super fans did a grab-and-go so they could head back outside.

And at Dunkin' Donuts, "the hot chocolate outsold our coffee, and that is a phenomenon," said Rick Herbertz, director of operations. "We are just rocking it out. It's a great feeling, great for Indianapolis."

Business at the fieldhouse is normally event-driven, Herbertz said, but the next seven days are likely to be as busy as any Pacers home game.

With so many fans from New England -- where Dunkin' Donuts is king -- Herbertz said the 24-7 schedule from Thursday to Sunday will match the atmosphere of the city and the Super Bowl.

"This will be the biggest event in my (23-year) career."

(source Indianapolis Star)

About five minutes into the media shuttle ride from Indianapolis International Airport to downtown Indy on Sunday, the Super Bowl XLVI greeter on board paused her discussion of the city’s scene to ask a question:

“So … what are people saying about Indianapolis?”

Well, there’s a long way to go between now and Super Bowl Sunday but, so far, so good.

From the walkways connecting many of downtown’s major venues to an ample number of restaurants and bars to an army of volunteers, Indianapolis has made a terrific first impression on the swarm of people arriving for football’s showcase week.

“I don’t think people realize how many big events we have here,” volunteer and longtime Indianapolis native Nancy Allen said. “We’re very proud of our downtown.”

Of course, the weekend before the Super Bowl is a bit of the calm before the storm. The Patriots arrived Sunday afternoon, with the Giants following Monday. The number of fans and media in town figures to grow exponentially over the next few days, too. So, aside from a hearty crowd braving the cold at one of Indianapolis’ two temporary concert venues Sunday night, it was relatively quiet elsewhere.

That’s just fine with the media on hand, who still have memories of last year’s frustrating trip to Dallas that included the lack of seating fiasco, a headache that bothered the Cowboys and NFL for weeks after the game.

The weather also played a sinister part in disrupting the Lone Star State’s Super Bowl moment, with a huge ice storm hitting the Dallas area on the Tuesday of Super Bowl week and its effects lingering through the title game.

The Indianapolis Super Bowl committee was there to witness that mess, explaining why plans are in place to mobilize the city’s thousands of volunteers if there’s even so much as a dusting of snow. Unless the forecast changes drastically, Indianapolis will dodge that bullet anyway — it was a balmy 55 Monday afternoon.

“Our methods to control the weather have worked,” Colts owner Jim Irsay joked during a Super Bowl committee press conference.

Weather aside, Indianapolis seems more than prepared for its moment in the spotlight.

“We have events leading up to the game and more planned for Super Bowl Sunday,” volunteer Danielle McGrath said, “but this will give Indianapolis a long, lasting legacy.”

The motto of “Everything’s bigger in Texas” doesn’t apply this week, either. The JW Marriott — headquarters for this week’s media — features a monstrous image of the Vince Lomardi trophy with XLVI to its side, the graphic stretching 20-plus stories high. Then there’s the 96-foot tall, 800-foot long zip line ride for fans that runs in front of the Indiana Convention Center.

Once you get in to downtown Indianapolis, there’s just no escaping the Super Bowl madness.

This area has hosted the Final Four before (and will again in 2015), is the location for the annual Big Ten football championship game and welcomes the Indy 500 each year. The Super Bowl, though, might be a one-time shot for Indianapolis.

The NFL tends to keep its popular warm-weather spots in the conversation for hosting duties — Miami, New Orleans, etc. — meaning little opportunity for the upstarts. Even with a perfect showing this week, Indianapolis would face an uphill battle to bring the big game back.

Still, Irsay refuses to concede that the city’s chances at another Super Bowl. He said Monday that he believes the NFL will keep Indianapolis in the mix down the road, because “that’s the type of job we think we will do here.”

Next year’s venue, New Orleans, could not be more of a 180 from the compact, urban setting Super Bowl visitors have been greeted with in Indianapolis. But the locals are plenty excited to show what this spot can do.

“I volunteered because this is a great opportunity to show off what makes Indianapolis a great area,” said McGrath, who works in downtown Indianapolis. “We have a terrific sense of community — that Hoosier hospitality.”

Irsay’s message Monday asked for even more help from the local residents: “Ask not what the Super Bowl can do for you, ask what you can do for the Super Bowl.”

The real test for Indianapolis comes over the next few days, as rival fans from New York and the Boston area converge on this Midwestern hub. Oh yeah, and there’s that little matter of the actual game next Sunday.

It’s been a sensational start, though. Now, let’s just hope the winter storms stay away.

(source SI.com)

If they handed out a trophy for saving the 2011 NFL season, then Giants co-owner John Mara and Patriots owner Robert Kraft would be standing on the podium together accepting the award from the 2,000 players in the league.

So, it’s appropriate the Giants and Patriots are playing in Super Bowl XLVI.

Only one of them will be on the podium Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium hugging the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but Mara and Kraft played invaluable roles as lead negotiators in ending the lockout and allowing the Super Bowl to even be played this year. They helped find a middle ground in the treacherous waters filled with hard-line owners and players, each of whom wanted to break the other in labor negotiations contaminated by mistrust and venom.

More than anybody, Mara and Kraft put an end to the torturous 136-day lockout that had threatened the season. They knew the owners and players needed each other and it was a partnership. They were the voices of reason.

“I don’t think anybody on the 10-member labor committee spent more time on it than John Mara,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told the Daily News. “During all the sessions we had in Washington, I think he was there for 20 of the 23 days. Then he was obviously in Minnesota and every other significant moment. He played a very critical role throughout the process, right to conclusion.”

Mara has since been named chairman of the powerful NFL Management Council Executive Committee/Labor. He was there as the drama unfolded in Washington, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston and New York and only jury duty in April kept him away. Kraft, one of the smartest businessmen in the NFL who built his $325 million stadium with his own money and without PSLs, played a huge role despite having a heavy heart as his beloved wife Myra — he still called her “my sweetheart” after 48 years of marriage — was struggling with cancer.

She died at the age of 68 on July 20, five days before the lockout ended. Kraft stood in front of the NFL Players Association offices in Washington when the 10-year deal with no opt-outs on either side was announced on July 25. Kraft was given a heartwarming hug by Colts center Jeff Saturday, one of the most important players during the ordeal.

“Robert was obviously dealing with very stressful and personal issues with the health of Myra at the time,” Goodell said. “Those six months, he was always there when he was called upon. Whenever I asked him, when we had an important meeting, his first priority was Myra. He never compromised that. But he always tried hard to be at crucial meetings.”

The turning point in the labor talks came in June when the negotiating committees were reduced to five representatives for the owners and five for the players. “John and Robert were both a part of that,” Goodell said. “Those sessions created the foundation for the agreement. The level of understanding and respect got to the point of creating solutions.”

The Krafts and Maras and the Tisches, who bought 50% of the Giants from Tim Mara in 1991, have had a bond for years, but the friendship between John Mara and Robert Kraft was cemented during the tense labor negotiations.

“We grew pretty close,” Mara said. “I learned a lot just working with him. He’s a very smart, savvy businessman. He speaks his mind and gets right to the point. I think the players respect that. Obviously he was going through a tough time. I remember him saying on several occasions that it was good for him to get out and it took his mind off what was going on at home. I developed a great deal of respect and admiration for how he conducted himself during the entire process. He was a key factor in getting a deal.”

Training camps were able to open on time the weekend of July 29-31. If the talks had continued to drag on, then the start of the season would have been pushed back. But Kraft thought it would get much worse. “It really saved the season,” he said by phone from Foxborough. “We would have lost the season. I am convinced of that.”

Wellington Mara was always known as the voice of reason in labor talks and his oldest son John has inherited that quality. He was not viewed as the enemy. Neither was Kraft.

“John was awesome,” Kraft said. “His whole family tradition means so much to the history of the NFL. He carries the name that means so much. He also understands the game and is really respected among the owners. He is very levelheaded and firm. He knows when to push back, but he also knows when to give in. You can tell the people on the other side trusted him and that was so important.”

Kraft is the chairman of the television committee and knew big deals with the networks were imminent and the players would get their share. He showed the players how they would benefit. Nobody stood to gain if the season was canceled. After the lockout ended, the NFL signed eight- and nine-year extensions with its four network partners worth about $5 billion per year. The players get about 48% of the money.

“We promised them we wouldn’t let them do a bad deal,” Kraft said. “Then, to do these media deals, they are the beneficiaries.”

Mara remembers when he came off the podium four years ago after the Giants beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII that Kraft and his son Jonathan had come out of the locker room to offer their congratulations while the celebration was still going on. “It was such a classy move,” he said.

K raft said the Maras and Tisches “are two of my favorite owners in the league. It makes it a little more fun when you are playing people you respect and like. I am very fond of both of them.”

Now their teams are playing for the championship of a season Mara and Kraft helped save.

This article was written by Gary Myers and appeared in the New York Daily News.

Sometimes you have to just laugh at the absurdity of life.

Tim Tebow, whose clean-cut image is unquestioned, was booked into the Hard Rock Hotel recently in Las Vegas. He was there for a Nike photo shoot.

But Norm Clarke of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the hotel is also hosting the Adult Entertainment Expo.

Writes Clarke:

A second source said Tebow, who was reportedly in town for a Nike shoot, stayed in a Hard Rock penthouse "most of the time.

"It was all hush-hush," the source said.

That was likely the night Tebow, his older brother Robby and three male friends attended Cirque du Soleil's "O" at The Mirage, snacking on popcorn and drinking water. They mentioned they were in town for one day.

Casino host Steve Cyr said on KWWN radio that Tebow didn't drink, hung out "with some girls" and was a good tipper.

This article was written by Reid Cherner and appeared in USA Today.

The New York Giants' major upset in Super Bowl XLII four years ago might explain why Sunday's rematch vs. the New England Patriots could feature the tightest point spread in 30 years.

The Giants, who toppled the unbeaten Patriots 17-14 after entering as 12½-point underdogs, are three-point underdogs in Indianapolis. That's a half-point drop from the opening line after the conference title games, reflecting wagering for New York as well as Las Vegas oddsmakers' belief the game is evenly matched.

While the spread won't be as low as that of Super Bowl XVI, in which the San Francisco 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals as one-point favorites, the possibility remains for the lowest line since. With most of the wagering yet to come, oddsmakers think it could threaten the record $94 million bet on Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers (four-point favorites) and Seattle Seahawks.

"We've lowered the total (over/under) line to 54½ (from 55), but we're keeping the line at three," Caesars Palace senior sports book analyst Todd Fuhrman said Sunday. "Trends are coming in on the Giants, but I don't think it'll get that far (toward pick 'em). But if the number comes down, you might see more money coming for the Patriots."

This year's line, the fourth field goal spread in a Super Bowl, is the result of several factors. Besides the Giants' upset in 2008, they have won six in a row and were the last team to beat the Patriots, winning 24-20 in Foxborough, Mass., as nine-point underdogs in Week 9.

"After both teams played, the Patriots didn't look as good as we thought and the Giants looked a lot better than we thought," said Bob Scucci, director of race and sports books for Boyd Gaming, which operates nine properties in Las Vegas. "So we adjusted the line a little bit. We may not have adjusted it quite enough."

This article was written by Gary Graves and appeared in USA Today.

Once the NFL world descended on Indianapolis for the start of Super Bowl week, a lot is going to be written and said about Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

As it should.

From the tremendous success the Patriots have sustained since he purchased the team in 1994, his critical role in the labor negotiations that saved the season the world will be celebrating in Indianapolis, to the loss of his wife, Myra, who seems to be watching and guiding the team from up on high, Kraft has had a profound impact that deserves to be celebrated.

But it’s behind closed doors where Kraft’s reach is really being felt, as he has carved out a vital role as emissary for all things NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell since losing his wife.

As chairman of the league’s broadcast committee, Kraft was going to be involved in the negotiations for the new television contracts - which will explode the salary cap starting in 2014 - but he has also been actively involved in placing a team in Los Angeles and the league’s ventures in Europe, among other things.

At this point, if something big is going on in the NFL, Kraft is involved.

He wants to be.

He needs to be.

“I told him that I needed to fill my time and I’d help him in any way I could, especially with Myra’s passing,’’ Kraft said. “He and I have a good relationship. The TV deals, that’s something I would normally do. I just told him I was there to help him any way I could, so he’s allowed me to. We have other businesses, but I have capable sons, and I love the NFL.’’

Goodell was more than willing to include Kraft.

“He has tremendous business instincts, he cares deeply about the Patriots and the league,’’ Goodell said. “He is a tremendous resource for me to be able to bounce ideas off of and help me think through ideas, and I consider that a tremendous asset for me personally and the league in general.’’

As an NFL owner, you’d be hard-pressed to have more of an impact than Kraft did in 2011. And he did it while taking care of his wife, then mourning her passing.

“For the first half of 2011, clearly his priority was with Myra and he made that incredibly clear, but at the same time I don’t think he ever compromised helping the league at any critical stage,’’ Goodell said. “Whenever there was a meeting, he was there. If I felt it was important for him to be there, he would be there.

“He was part of those principal-only sessions that we had that I think were critical in breaking the logjam and developing the foundation to get the labor agreement in early June at a point where obviously Myra’s condition was worsening. But he was there.

“And he was there to support, he would always call in, always make sure he was up to speed, and trying to balance that with what he was going through on the personal side was and is rather extraordinary.’’

In the fall, with the labor deal in place, the NFL moved swiftly to secure its future by getting the television deals done.

“The remainder of the year, I spent a great deal of time with Robert,’’ Goodell said. “We were strategizing and meeting with the networks, and he was here for every single meeting throughout the fall and was critical in reaching those television agreements.

“He was down here in New York, because the networks are here, on a regular basis - I’d say easily on a weekly basis, if not two or three days a week.’’

If it hadn’t been for the work done by John Mara and Kraft to end the NFL lockout, we might not even have a Super Bowl this week.

“Everyone on [the NFL Management Council executive committee] contributed a great deal to ultimately getting to the success,’’ Goodell said. “Both John Mara and Robert Kraft contributed a great deal in that context, but there are so many people that played a valuable role in the labor deal.’’

Goodell took the politically correct route - he does have 30 other bosses to report to, after all - but it sure seems fitting that the Giants and Patriots are facing off in this Super Bowl.

Kraft has long respected Giants co-owners Steve Tisch and Mara, so that makes this matchup a little more special.

“We’re lucky to have his family,’’ said Kraft. “They’ve done such a great job for over 90 years and they’ve always put the league first. He did so much and was such a great contributor to the labor negotiations and he’s a classy guy.

“I’ll never forget the eulogy he gave his dad, Wellington. He’s very articulate, very intelligent, and he’s a Boston College grad. He’s one of my favorite guys.

“I think the fact that we both worked so hard on the labor agreement and there was a season . . . I think it’s pretty cool that we’re in this big game.’’

This Super Bowl is a celebration of the 2011 season, one that was like no other for Kraft and his family.

But Kraft’s role in the future of the NFL is just beginning.

(source Boston Globe)

Sunday, amid all the Super Bowl pomp and ceremony, Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will share a pregame ritual with owner Robert Kraft. Two kisses. One on each cheek. For the super-sized player and the owner, it will be an emotional moment very different from all that will follow on the field.

“I used to give Myra Kraft a kiss before every game,’’ said Wilfork. “Now, he gets two kisses - one for him and one for Mrs. Kraft. I always do it, before every game.’’

Wilfork added, “Myra Kraft meant more to this than probably any of us that are playing this game. She’s the foundation. Hopefully, we can get it done for her.’’

Talking about Myra Kraft, the 6-foot-2-inch, 325-pound Wilfork makes pointedly direct eye contact. You don’t dare doubt his sincerity.
Myra Kraft made no organizational decisions, but she helped ensure that the Patriots followed certain core values.

2006 file/Telegram & Gazette

Myra Kraft made no organizational decisions, but she helped ensure that the Patriots followed certain core values.

As constant companion and adviser to her husband, as team matriarch, Myra Kraft was an integral part of the Patriots. She was “the foundation’’ of an organization built by the Kraft family with family values in mind.

Robert Kraft sees the Patriots’ sustained success as a testament and tribute to the spirit and spirituality his wife brought to the organization. Myra Kraft made no organizational decisions, but she helped ensure that the Patriots followed certain core values.

“How do you differentiate a team when everything is built toward parity?’’ said Kraft. “How do you sustain success? You have to create a family environment where people trust you and people fit. It’s about trying to create a family atmosphere that’s genuine. I think my sweetheart’s presence did that. She was a great example with deeds of loving kindness. Her presence.’’

Kraft’s voice trails off and his eyes moisten. It is all coming back to him - how Myra was 19 and Kraft was 20 when she proposed on their first date, how “there was a bonding that happened very fast,’’ how they “grew up together,’’ how Myra passed up law school to devote herself to family and raising four sons, how they “got tighter the last 25 years’’ after all four sons left home, how they were “best pals’’ who discussed everything.

Before the first preseason game, the Patriots dedicated this season to the memory of Myra, who died of cancer July 20, 2011. Players wear an oval patch with her initials, MHK, on their uniforms, above their hearts.

When he scored a touchdown last Sunday in a 23-20 win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship game, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis emphatically pointed to that patch.

“It wasn’t planned,’’ said Green-Ellis. “The spirit just took over me. It was just showing homage.’’

When the game ended with Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missing a 32-yard field goal attempt, thoughts turned again to Myra.

“I believe she was smiling,’’ said Kraft, who tapped a lapel pin with his wife’s initials and pointed skyward upon accepting the AFC championship trophy. “A lot of people think that she helped the wind blow the ball to the left. A lot of people felt her presence.’’

Now, the win-one-more-for-Myra sentiment is gaining greater traction among Patriots fans and garnering national attention. It is a sentiment commonly heard around Gillette Stadium. At the Patriots Pro Shop, sales of $5 pins with Myra’s initials have been brisk. And win-one-more-for-Myra is a refreshing change from the us-against-them mentality of past Patriots Super Bowl appearances.

“I really do think she’s there,’’ said fan Linda Lorman of Johnston, R.I., while buying souvenirs at the Patriots Pro Shop last week. “Her spirit is with all the players. They have that little extra strength you have when you play for something bigger than yourself.’’

A trusted adviser

Sitting behind his desk at the stadium, Kraft starts searching in the pockets of his pinstriped suit jacket. He pulls out a lucky coin with special meaning. It was a gift from one of the victims of Christian Peter, who was a fifth-round pick by the Patriots in the 1996 NFL draft. At the time of his selection, Peter had faced numerous charges of violence against women, and had been twice convicted, including once for third-degree sexual assault. Less than a week after the draft, the Patriots relinquished their rights to Peter. Waiving a drafted player before the start of training camp was an unprecedented move by an NFL team.

Contrary to reports at the time, Myra did not demand the Patriots cut ties with Peter. As the ultimate trusted adviser and confidante, her influence on team matters was much more subtle.

“She asked, ‘Have you done your homework on this guy? Is what I’m reading true?’ ’’ said Kraft. “And I said, ‘No, I trusted.’ We did our own independent research and found out what was told to me was not so.

“I had made clear to the people drafting that I never wanted to bring somebody to New England knowingly who would hurt the family name. I’ve told every one of our coaches, ‘If we need thugs or hoodlums to win, I need to know that because I’m out of the business.’ ’’

Kraft doesn’t operate with the input of a board of directors. He seeks advice from key people in the organization, including his son Jonathan, who serves as team president. He values continuity and long-term relationships. He takes great pride in having hired only two head coaches - Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick - and playing only two starting quarterbacks - Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady - during his time as owner.

“Myra never made any decisions, but she was someone whose judgment I trusted,’’ said Kraft. “She was a wonderful adviser. We were partners.’’

Memories of that partnership fill his office, leaving barely any surface uncovered. Prominently displayed above his desk are photographs of his four sons. A smaller, black-and-white image of a very young Myra is positioned closer to Kraft, propped more discreetly on a countertop behind his desk. The oil painting with Myra’s initials floating above a team huddle with the players pointing skyward, presented to Kraft late in the regular season, rests beside his desk. An entire wall is filled with snapshots of famous friends and family trips.

Kraft singles out pictures of Brady and former Patriots players such as Ben Watson and Richard Seymour standing before the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The photos come from annual trips to Israel that Myra helped coordinate.

“The times that I saw them together, you saw two people who really loved each other and cared for one another,’’ said special teams captain Matthew Slater. “That’s not something that we see often in today’s society. After all those years, they still had a genuine love for each other and just enjoyed each other, like kids almost.

“To lose someone like that, it’s been a strain on him. And I’d say it’s kind of trickled down and become a strain on us. We definitely played with her in mind throughout the season and even more now in the postseason.’’

Passion for philanthropy

Initially, the prospect of owning the Patriots divided the couple. When her husband attended Sunday afternoon home games as a season ticket-holder, Myra went to the theater and watched, as Robert described them, “those artsy movies that I would never go to.’’ Or, she completed the Sunday crossword puzzle and read. She liked her quiet Sunday afternoons. She had no interest in football and certainly no interest in owning the Patriots, especially at the prices being thrown around in 1994.

Kraft originally planned to purchase the Patriots for $115 million. The cost, however, climbed until it reached $172 million, a then-record for an NFL franchise. And this was no ordinary NFL franchise. At the time, the Patriots had a won-lost record of 19-61 over the previous five years. To top it off, the team ranked last in the league in revenue.

“When I overpaid for this team, it was the only time she questioned my financial acumen and what kind of businessman I was,’’ said Kraft. “When I paid $172 million, she thought I was nuts. It was the one time in our marriage when she was really worried.

“Look, my wife had never gone to a game when I bought the team. But I told her, if we ran this well, we would have a greater impact on the community than if we gave away half a million dollars a week.’’

Myra made sure that was true. She worked her philanthropic magic and applied her passion for volunteerism with the Patriots, just as she did with so many organizations throughout Boston and beyond. She worked tirelessly with organizations from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston to the United Way to Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Throughout this season, in honor of Myra, the Patriots recognized the spirit of volunteerism and public service, championing nurses, teachers, veterans, firefighters, and police. Kraft hopes by saluting the spirit of volunteerism his wife’s “presence remains with us.’’

It didn’t take long for Myra to join her husband as a passionate Patriots fan, taking a familiar seat beside Robert in the owner’s suite. When asked if Myra helped give him some perspective after the Patriots lost to the Giants in the 2007 Super Bowl, Kraft smiled and said, “We balanced each other out on certain things, but she didn’t like to lose. And her husband didn’t like it, either.’’

And many believe her competitive spirit will be as present at this year’s Super Bowl as it has been throughout the Patriots season.

(source Boston Globe)

The 49ers relied on a simple formula in 2011:

A heaping of takeaways

+ an excellent defense

+ a cautious offense

= wins.

The equation was sound throughout the season and took the 49ers to within a step of the Super Bowl. But in the NFC Championship Game, the formula failed.

The 49ers nailed the defensive part of it – Justin Smith and company were relentless as the game went on and frustrated New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning into a ho-hum 74 passer rating after halftime.

The offense played to form, too, committing no turnovers, taking the lead in the third quarter and then tying the score with David Akers' field goal in the fourth.

It was the takeaway portion that didn't come through.

Going into the game, the 49ers had forced a league-high 43 turnovers.

Against the Giants, they had zero, although they had chances. Two would-be interceptions in the second half were squandered when safety Dashon Goldson crashed into the cornerback. Another possible takeaway, a forced fumble that would have almost assuredly given the 49ers the lead late in the game, was wiped away by a quick whistle.

The 49ers had no takeaways only two other times during the season. The first was in a narrow win in Detroit, a game in which the 49ers' defense had a key safety. The second was in the loss in Baltimore.

The Giants game illustrates the nature of takeaways – they're fluky. They pour in like a monsoon one moment and dry up like a desert the next.

The 49ers finished the regular season with the NFL's best turnover differential at plus-28. The next-highest differential in franchise history was plus-22 in 1981. But that was followed by a minus-8 in 1982.

So while the 49ers – and every other team for that matter – will shoot for a bumper crop of takeaways in 2012, they can't be relied upon and can't be such a crucial component of the team's winning formula.

History shows that teams rarely duplicate their sterling differential from one year to the next. Also, the two 49ers players directly responsible for the most takeaways, cornerback Carlos Rogers and Goldson (six interceptions each) are free agents and might not be back.

With that in mind, the 49ers need to focus their efforts this offseason on bolstering the weakest part of their winning formula, the offense. The passing game finished 29th in the league in the regular season and was particularly conspicuous by its absence against the Giants.

Alex Smith completed one pass for three yards to a wide receiver in the game and had trouble finding open targets during the 49ers' critical, but ultimately fruitless, offensive drives in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Michael Crabtree, who had five catches for 28 yards in the playoffs, is a good wide receiver who would be an even better one with a legitimate threat opposite him. He didn't have that against New York. More than that, Crabtree and Kyle Williams are the only wideouts signed beyond this season.

There should be several highly regarded wide receivers on the free-agent market, including three – Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe, New Orleans' Marques Colston and San Diego's Vincent Jackson – who fit the 49ers' profile for big, physical wideouts.

Any one of them would be an upgrade, but it would be an expensive acquisition and one that might upset the harmony in the locker room.

The more likely route is through the draft.

That's where the 49ers went in 2010 when they needed to plug holes in the offensive line. And it's where the 49ers went last year, with second-round pick Colin Kaepernick, when they were short on quarterbacks.

It's where they're likely to search for a receiver this season. The 49ers pick 30th overall.

This article was written by Matthew Barrows and appeared in the Sacremento Bee.

Forget the palm trees and balmy poolside barbecues. The thousands of fans and sports business moguls who spend freely to make Super Bowl weekend a non-stop party will need to prepare for dreary cold or climate-controlled comfort of the great indoors.

Detroit was the last cold weather city to hold the Super Bowl, on Feb. 5, 2005. Fans tried to stay warm waiting to enter Ford Field.

America's roman-numeraled sports holiday comes to Indianapolis this week for version XLVI and another sidetrip to a palatial new facility off the NFL's traditional track of sun-splashed championship climes. This one is a sop to taxpayers who put more than $1 billion toward retractable-roofed Lucas Oil Stadium, which kept the Colts in town, and other municipal improvements aimed at economic impact from Super Week and business far beyond.

But it also could be Step I of a process that convinces the league's owners to award their coveted event to more cold-weather sites — a snow and ice storm last year the week before the Super Bowl in Dallas, notwithstanding.

In 2014, after making its 10th visit to New Orleans, the Super Bowl will tempt meteorological fate with a stop in the New York area and an open-air staging at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. That will be the NFL's first outdoor title game at a northern site since the Super Bowl era began following the 1966 season.

Indianapolis is putting the finishing touches on preparing for an extravaganza that doesn't cower from the weather but doesn't ignore it.

New York Giants owner John Mara believes the Indianapolis and New York-New Jersey experiences will go a long way toward determining where future Super Bowls are played. He noted that many of the NFL's most memorable games were played in breath-freezing conditions — think Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers in the 1967 Ice Bowl at Lambeau Field— and pointed to Washington, D.C., and Chicago as other potentially intriguing northern sites.

In 2006, Detroit played host to Super Bowl XL at domed Ford Field, which had opened in 2002. (The Super Bowl also has been played just outside Detroit, at the Pontiac Silverdome, in 1982, and in Minneapolis in 1992.)

"I think there are some other cold-weather sites that would have a chance," Mara says. "There are some other owners who are against doing that, but obviously we had enough votes needed to get it here."

It is hardly coincidental that, like Detroit for the 2006 game, Indianapolis and New York-New Jersey were awarded Super Bowls after opening state-of-the-art stadiums.

"There is a high expectation that if you get a new stadium built in a cold-weather site with a dome, or a retractable roof in our case, that you will have a great opportunity to host," Colts owner Jim Irsay says. "Owners do recognize the importance of bringing the Super Bowl to a public-private partnership."

Says New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft: "We are going to those communities where public money is involved and saying, 'Thank you.' "

MetLife Stadium was privately financed, but Kraft notes that the impetus to experiment with an outdoor game in the New York area began with the terrorist attacks on 9/11 that leveled the World Trade Center.

"I look at the New York metropolitan area as the financial hub of the planet," he says. "It represents so much of Americana that they deserved it with the symbolism of holding it there."

Cities and regions among the NFL's old reliables for the Super Bowl are no longer taking for granted their status as preferred sites.

South Florida is the current leader with 10 Super Bowls hosted at the Orange Bowl in Miami or the facility now known as Sun Life Stadium, which is located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Miami Gardens. But the Miami Dolphins are pushing for public funds to renovate Sun Life Stadium, with an eye toward enhancing a bid for the 50th Super Bowl in 2016; that's the next one whose site has not been decided.

"We believe we have the premier, No. 1 destination for the game," Dolphins CEO Mike Dee says. "We have to make sure we don't squander that advantage."

Southern California, with the Los Angeles Coliseum— site of Super Bowl I— and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, has been the third-most frequent Super Bowl locale. But the game has not been there since 1993 as the league works to again establish a team in the region.

A 'difference-maker'

Indianapolis has spent and spent some more for an opportunity that Irsay calls a "difference-maker" for the city and state.

According to The Indianapolis Star, taxpayers footed 87% of the $720 million cost of 67,500-seat Lucas Oil Stadium, which opened in 2007, in exchange for a 30-year commitment from the Colts. An investment of $275 million nearly doubled the size of the Indiana Convention Center. Another $187 million was spent on infrastructure.

Mike Murphy, who retired in 2010 after 16 years as a Republican state legislator, says he had his doubts when all of this was being debated.

"I was a skeptic at the time based on some of the tax increases levied in order to pay for it," he says. "I must say I've become a convert over the years. The building has become not only a symbolic but a practical gathering spot for the community" because it has become the site of cheerleading and band contests and state high school football championships.

"You can't look at the expense," Indianapolis Mayor Gregory Ballard says. "You have to look at the return."

The city expects between 100,000 and 150,000 visitors during Super Bowl week. At least some of those guests will be surveyed about their expenses in an effort to determine the immediate economic impact of their stay. The Super Bowl hotel block consists of 18,300 rooms.

Mark Miles, board chairman of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, believes dollars spent are a relatively minor measure of the importance of landing the game.

"It's the image," he says. "You can't quantify the value of being a Super Bowl city."

Ballard echoes that point. "Very few cities have hosted Super Bowls, when you look at it," he says. "The ability to host a Super Bowl puts in people's minds a city that can come together and get things done."

It will not be known for years whether Indianapolis' massive investment will result in attracting new business and more traffic for a convention center that nearly doubled its exhibit space to 550,000 square feet. Ballard, after studying the experiences of other cities, is confident that it will.

"Sixty-five percent of people who attend Super Bowls are decision-makers," he says, "and the overriding comment of people coming to Indianapolis for the first time is 'I never knew.'

"We want people who make decisions for organizations to see what a great city it is, how things get done and to see our connected downtown. We think it will lead to quite a few business opportunities and convention opportunities."

The potential is there. According to city officials, more than half of the U.S. population lives within a one-day drive of what they like to call "the crossroads of America." Nine NFL franchises are within 400 miles.

Village could be model

Fans who braved unexpectedly icy roads in and around Dallas last year will welcome the convenience Indianapolis offers. Skywalks connect much of the downtown, ensuring ease of pedestrian traffic no matter how frightful the weather. According to the host committee, there are 7,100 hotel rooms, 200 restaurants and 50 attractions within walking distance of the stadium.

Not that Indianapolis or New York is running from the weather issue. New York has a snowflake in the center of its Super Bowl logo while Indianapolis expects a winter festival atmosphere at its innovative Super Bowl Village. More than 60 live performances are scheduled there with headliners such as Patti LaBelle, LMFAO, and Dierks Bentley. There will be rides on zip lines 96 feet above the ground. Warming stations, too.

According to Miles, the three-block-long Village was patterned after entertainment venues used to bring diverse fans together at Winter Olympics.

"If that works for the Super Bowl crowd the way we've seen it in the mind's eye for four years," he says, "it will create an additional model for northern cities and for the league."

The NFL, the host committee and private event organizers also have taken the weather into account in their offerings, providing plenty of indoor options. One page of the official visitors guide is titled "Baby, It's Cold Outside! Come On In & Get Warm" — and it lists options such as the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library.

More football-centric fans could, for the first time, buy a ticket allowing them to sit in the stands for Tuesday's media day at the stadium; the 6,700 available sold out, according to host committee spokeswoman Dianna Boyce. Stadium tours, which include time on the field and in the team locker room, also are for sale.

Then there is DirecTV's Celebrity Beach Bowl, Feb. 4 — an event that actually occurred on the beach prior to the Super Bowl two years ago in South Florida. As was the case in Dallas last year, it's being held on tons of sand that's been hauled into an enormous, temporary structure; this one covers the outfield of Indianapolis' downtown baseball stadium. It will host the open-to-the-public flag football game and concert in the afternoon and an invitation-only event at night.

The indoor highlight, however, seems likely to be the NFL Experience, an interactive theme park at the convention center. Frank Supovitz, NFL senior vice president for events, notes that it has sold 40,000 tickets. "That's better than twice what we would have expected anywhere else," he says.

(source USA Today)