1/31/2007
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Indianapolis officially launches bid to host 2011 Super Bowl
Irsay, Colts pledge unprecedented $1 million toward effort
Indianapolis – The City of Indianapolis today officially launched, “Indianapolis 2011, Inc.,” its effort to attract the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl, one of the crown jewels of the sports world and one of the most-watched events in the world, in 2011.
Indianapolis Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay also pledged $1 million toward the effort to bid for and host the Super Bowl. The first $200,000 will be paid immediately to fund the bid effort.
“We have been researching and working on this for more than seven months, and we are satisfied that we can meet or exceed every requirement for staging a successful Super Bowl,” Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson said today. “We send a special thanks to Jim Irsay and the Colts organization for this unprecedented jump start of our effort.”
Economic impact. Hosting Super Bowl XLV would bring an estimated 98,000 visitors and $262 million in economic impact to the Indianapolis region, according to an independent national study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers last week.
It also would shine a worldwide spotlight on the Indianapolis region. The 10 most-watched programs in television history are all Super Bowls, and last year's game was watched by 141.4 million viewers.
Structure. As recommended by the NFL, a formal bid committee, “Indianapolis 2011, Inc.,” was formed to bring Super Bowl XLV to Lucas Oil Stadium, which opens in 2008, and the expanded Indiana Convention Center, which opens in 2010 and will be a key component of attracting the event.
Co-chairs of Indianapolis 2011, Inc. will be Mayor Peterson, Gov. Mitch Daniels, Jim Irsay, and Anton “Tony” George, president & CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the largest single-day sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500.
The effort otherwise will be led by Indianapolis 2011, Inc. President Fred Glass, who is a partner at the Indianapolis law firm of Baker & Daniels and volunteer president of the Capital Improvement Board (CIB), which will operate Lucas Oil Stadium and the Convention Center.
Glass will be joined in leading the bid team by Indianapolis 2011, Inc. officers:
- Cathy Langham, president, Langham Transportation Services & chair, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce;
- John Lechleiter, president & COO, Eli Lilly & Company; and
- Dr. Eugene White, superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools.
“This effort first and foremost is about the jobs that events like the Super Bowl bring to our city and state,” Mayor Peterson said. “An event of this magnitude will inject even more energy into our hospitality industry and so many other businesses in Indianapolis and central Indiana that would benefit from hosting such a major event.”
“Indianapolis has proven over and over again that no city is more professional in hosting a major sports event. We’ve got a great track record to take to the team owners,” Gov. Daniels said. “I’ll support the mayor and his team any way they ask.”
Steps taken. Indianapolis already has taken several steps toward bidding for the Super Bowl. For the past seven months, several local organizations – including the CIB, Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA), Indiana Sports Corporation (ISC) and Indianapolis Downtown Inc. (IDI) – have been working with stakeholders to research other Super Bowls and Indianapolis’ ability to host the event.
The group now will move forward to complete a formal bid package and presentation for the 32 NFL team owners, the group that ultimately determines Super Bowl sites. In addition:
- The city has communicated with the NFL to discuss hosting the Super Bowl. Mayor Peterson and Gov. Daniels both spoke to former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on several occasions. Peterson also has spoken with current Commissioner Roger Goodell.
- City & state officials have visited with other NFL officials in New York and Indianapolis;
- City officials met with Roger Penske, chairman of Detroit’s Super Bowl XL Host Committee last May, and other Detroit officials who organized Super Bowl XL in 2006; and
- Indianapolis is sending a delegation to South Florida next week to learn about the preparation and planning for Super Bowl XLI. The delegation will be led by Mayor Peterson, Gov. Daniels, Glass and representatives from organizations that would be instrumental in hosting a Super Bowl, such as the CIB, ISC, ICVA & IDI.
“Indianapolis has literally been built to host major sporting events such as the Pan Am Games, the Indianapolis 500, NCAA Final Fours, World Swimming & Basketball Championships and so many others,” Glass said. “We are ready to put on one of the best Super Bowl experiences ever and enjoy the jobs, economic impact and international exposure the Super Bowl would bring to Indianapolis.”
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