New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee statement about selection of Super Bowl LII site
NEW ORLEANS – May 20, 2014 – Following is a statement from Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero regarding today's decision by the National Football League to award the location of Super Bowl LII to Minneapolis:
"Congratulations to Minneapolis on their accomplishment. While we are disappointed in today's decision, we are very proud of the presentation and work that went into our bid and putting our city in the best possible position to win. New Orleans' reputation as a Super Bowl host is second to none, and we know there will be future opportunities to showcase our city's unique culture, spirit and love of major events to the NFL. Most importantly, we have to thank Mr. and Mrs. Benson, Rita Benson LeBlanc and the entire Saints staff for their essential support and unwavering enthusiasm about New Orleans' position as a Super Bowl city.
We will continue our pursuit of the nation's and world's premier sporting events, including the Super Bowl, showcasing our great city and state as a premier location and host.
The New Orleans bid promoted the undeniable assets of one of America's most culturally diverse cities with an undeniable spirit for music, fun and love of major sporting events.
This bid and all previous bids for marquee events are the result of unparalleled cooperation and months of details, creativity, negotiation and strategy. It wouldn't be possible without the full cooperation from the State of Louisiana, the City of New Orleans, SMG and the LSED, the Morial Convention Center, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and our famous New Orleans area restaurants."
About Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
Organized in August 1988, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation (GNOSF) is a non-profit 501(c) (4) organization whose mission is to attract and manage sporting events that have a positive economic impact on the Greater New Orleans area. Since 1988, GNOSF have events have turned a $64 Million investment from public and private sources into more than $1.8 Billion in economic impact for the City of New Orleans and State of LA.
