Indy Super Bowl Committee Has 'Renewed Vigor'

An Indianapolis delegation is home after spending a few days in New York and New Jersey. Members went to see how the Super Bowl was handled there and to garner ideas for a bid to host the 2018 game.

Rafael Sanchez is part of the team that will draft a final bid for Indianapolis to host Super Bowl LII. But, he says the city’s legacy of hosting the NFL’s title game in 2012 was apparent in New York and New Jersey.

"Any host committee will tell you that they wish they could leave a legacy for future Super Bowls.  So, it's flattering to go to a place like New York and Times Square and all the awesomeness of Times Square and see the concept of the Super Bowl Village (started in Indianapolis) incorporated there," he said.  "So, I think it's something for us to reflect upon and build upon."

The delegation spent almost four days touring Super Bowl Boulevard, the media center, and MetLife Stadium.

Susan Baughman with Indiana Sports Corps says what the league is looking for is changing and the experience offered insight into what is expected of a host city and will help shape Indianapolis’ bid proposal.

"We come back really with a renewed vigor for our bid, continuing to look at what we may want to focus on for our bid to make it stronger," she said.  

Baughman says one idea is expanding activities from the downtown Circle.

"If we expand any of the fan spaces, we would be working in tandem with the city and the state before we would make those decisions, as well as the NFL, to make sure that we had enough capacity to handle that." she said.  "I think in some ways it would actually make it easier because you are dispersing people over a broader geographic area."

In April, the city is bidding to host the 2018 game along with Minneapolis and New Orleans.

NFL owners will pick the winning city in May.