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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowNASHVILLE, TENN.-Indianapolis’ Super Bowl bid has been delivered. Now comes the wait.
A five-person contingent from the Circle City, led by Baker & Daniels partner Fred Glass and headlined by Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy, spent more than 20 minutes in a closed-door meeting with NFL owners.
They emerged a few minutes before 1 p.m. EDT, spoke briefly to the media, then retired to a Loews Vanderbilt Hotel meeting room to await the decision, expected this afternoon.
The 32 NFL team owners are considering bids from Indianapolis, North Texas and Arizona to host the 2011 Super Bowl.
Dungy, whom Glass described as the team’s “closer,” said he was excited about Indianapolis’ presentation and what hosting the Super Bowl would mean for the city.
“This is more special” than bringing home the Lombardi Trophy awarded to the Super Bowl champion, he said, because “the entire city would get to enjoy it.”
Dungy said he was more nervous about the presentation than he has ever been before a football game.
“I haven’t been this excited-nervous-ever on a football field,” he said.
Both Dungy and Glass said they felt good about the owners’ reaction to the presentation. Indianapolis native David Letterman delivered a “Top 10” list via videotape, which Glass said got the expected response.
The No. 1 reason to award Indianapolis the game? Letterman’s mom would throw a “kick-ass” tailgate party.
Before the presentation, Glass told reporters the bid committee had succeeded in raising more than $25 million to pay expenses associated with hosting the game, including the construction of a second indoor practice facility on the IUPUI campus.
“That is a great, great accomplishment for the city, no matter what happens,” he said.
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