Will taxpayers support Super Bowl?

Arizona residents’ willingness to pay higher taxes may have a strong impact on Indianapolis’ effort to land the 2012 Super Bowl. Funding from Arizona’s corporate community paid for 80 percent of the host city’s Super Bowl bill this year. But with a slumping economy, local Arizona leaders said more–much more–money will have to come from taxpayers’ pockets if they want to host the 2012 game.

Some Arizona residents are already bristling at paying more, and that could be a bad sign for football fans in the desert. Last year, the Indianapolis corporate community pledged $25 million to the local host fund–far ahead of the National Football League’s deadline. Though new Mayor Greg Ballard is studying the bid situation, there are indications that Indianapolis’ corporate community will again reach deep within their pockets to attract the big game. But Indianapolis officials said, the economy is a factor here, too, and little has been officially secured.

Houston, Indianapolis and Phoenix are the front runners to land the 2012 Super Bowl.

Do you think Indianapolis’ corporate community will come through with money to host the Super Bowl? If not, will taxpayers here willing to pay?