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Indianapolis is one of three cities invited by the NFL to submit bids to host Super Bowl LII in 2018. The competition includes fellow cold-weather city Minneapolis and New Orleans, where the lights went out during the last Super Bowl.
Here’s what media across the country are saying about the NFL’s crop of finalists.
Laura Stampler, Time Sports
The 2018 Super Bowl will either require attendees to bring their own heavy duty jackets … or flashlights.
Richard Meryhew, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Construction on the nearly $1 billion Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis is still weeks away, but already, the bold and glassy venue could be on track to host America’s premier sporting event.
Meryhew noted that Minneapolis' new 65,000-seat stadium was designed by HKS Inc., which also drew up the plans for Lucas Oil Stadium.
Dan Hanzus, NFL.com
The Favorite
Minneapolis hasn't hosted a Super Bowl since 1992. No one has complained about this, mostly because Minneapolis in February isn't exactly a hotbed for global tourism. Still, the Vikings will have constructed a new stadium by then and the NFL is known to reward cities for such civic endeavors.The Underdog
New Orleans is the ultimate Super Bowl city and should be on this ballot every year as far we're concerned. The biggest issue might be the Superdome, which is old and has the stank of that blackout in February. We wonder if that stumble could lead to a silent probation.The Longshot
Indianapolis did a fine job as host of Super BowlXLVI, and the city's compact nature makes for a convenient experience for players, the media and fans. Also, the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House is pure glory. But we worry how the experience could sour with bad weather. The city had unseasonably warm temperatures in the walk-up to Super Bowl XLVI. You feelin' lucky, punk?
Terrance Harris, NOLA.com/Times-Picyune
And if all goes well, the city and its organizers are looking forward to topping the previous 10 Super Bowls that have been hosted here in what will be the celebration of the 300th year of the birth of New Orleans. The city's Tri-centennial figures to be a major theme in the bid the Saints and the Sports Foundation will present during the NFL owner's spring meetings May 19-21 in Atlanta.
Jeff Duncan, NOLA.com/Times-Picyune
The confetti from Super Bowl XLVII had barely settled when NOLA.com/Times-Picyune Sports Columnist Jeff Duncan touted his city as the frontrunner for 2018. Just 48 hours after the lights went out in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, he wrote that New Orleans was a lock to have the world’s biggest game as the grand finale to the city's 300th birthday party.
Nothing against the fine city of Indianapolis. Indy and its army of polite volunteers did an outstanding job of hosting Super Bowl XLVI last year. By all accounts, it was one of the best-run, most efficient Super Bowls ever. Indy deserves a chance to host another Super Bowl. Just not the one in 2018.No, that Super Bowl is ours. It's New Orleans' to lose. If ever there was a boat race for a Super Bowl bid, 2018 is it. The competition would be wise to step aside and allow the Crescent City to bid unchallenged.
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