1/28/2008
Media Contact:
Marcus J. Barlow
Email: mbarlow@indygov.org
Direct: 317-327-3713
Cell: 317-496-5515 |
 |
Mayor Announces Team to Evaluate Super Bowl Bid
The Team will report back to the Mayor in 30 days INDIANAPOLIS (January 28, 2008) - Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard today announced that Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) President & CEO Mark Miles and Eli Lilly & Company President John Lechleiter will lead the final evaluation of whether the City of Indianapolis should bid for the 2012 Super Bowl.
“I have no doubt that Indianapolis is a Super Bowl city, and I’m very inclined to go after the game,” said Ballard. “Having said that, we have to go into this process with our eyes open to the realities of the process, the investment that’s needed, and the economic benefits to the taxpayers. I trust John and Mark to give me their best assessment and I’ll be prepared to make my decision from there.”
Miles was President of the organizing committee for the Pan-American Games in Indianapolis in 1987, and later served as President of the ATP Tour (the governing body of the worldwide men’s professional tennis tour) for 15 years before returning to Indiana to lead CICP, the regional alliance of corporate CEOs and university presidents focused on economic development.
Lechleiter, along with Cathy Langham of Langham Logistics, spearheaded fundraising efforts for the City’s 2011 Super Bowl bid along with a steering committee of other corporate and civic leaders; both have agreed to reprise their roles for the prospective 2012 bid. The effort will also continue to be supported by professional staff under the direction of Jack Swarbrick of Baker & Daniels and the senior leadership of Indiana Sports Corporation.
“I’m proud to help Mayor Ballard pursue this great opportunity for our region,” said Miles. “After coming within one vote of landing the 2011 game, we’re in a great position to go after another bid if it makes sense for the city. It’s our job to build on the tremendous effort made last year and assess how we can make a 2012 bid a successful one.
“We already host the world’s two largest single-day sporting events, the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400, along with a proven track record with NCAA Final Fours and major convention events,” Miles continued. “Lucas Oil Stadium, the convention center expansion and the downtown J.W. Marriott hotel development will strengthen an already great infrastructure…it all adds up to a stellar package for the NFL.”
According to Lechleiter, the region’s corporate community also continues to support the city’s effort to bring the Super Bowl to Indianapolis.
“Most of the companies we’ve talked to have agreed to renew their financial commitments from the 2011 bid, so we have a great foundation on which to build,” he said. “There’s an understanding among our corporate and civic leaders of the potential benefits to the city and the region, and definitely the appetite for another attempt given how close we came last year.”
In addition to fundraising efforts, the group led by Miles and Lechleiter will assess differences between the 2011 and 2012 bid specifications and formulate ways to enhance last year’s bid package. A group of business, tourism and government leaders will also travel to this year’s Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona to attend meetings related to the process. After attending these meetings and conducting other preliminary due diligence, the group will present a final recommendation on going forward to Mayor Ballard in mid-February.
In addition to Miles, the delegation includes Jack Swarbrick; Allison Melangton of Indiana Sports Corporation; Michael Fox, Stadium Director for Lucas Oil Stadium; Paul Okeson, Chief of Staff to Mayor Ballard; and Doug Bennett of the Indiana Convention & Visitors Association.
“The Colts are one of the NFL’s elite franchises and Indianapolis is on the map as a great football town, a great sports town,” finished Mayor Ballard. “Securing the Super Bowl bid for 2012 is about more than just the game – it’s about showcasing our city to the world and bringing new investment and business opportunities here. I’m pleased that Mark, John and the rest of the team are in place to position us to make the bid if we feel that the opportunity is there.”
####
|
