NFL DOESN’T EXPECT RECESSION TO AFFECT SUPER BOWL EVENTS

By Andrea Ahles/Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 11:19am

Frank Supovitz

Despite the recession, the National Football League still put on dozens of events during Super Bowl week at this year’s game in Tampa, Fla., and expects to do the same in North Texas for the 2011 game at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington.

“We are still doing a large number of fan events, and the Super Bowl is still the biggest competitive sports event of the year,” said Frank Supovitz, senior vice president of events for the NFL.

Supovitz and other NFL officials are in town this week, meeting with the North Texas host committee and touring the stadium.

The NFL cut some costs at this year’s Tampa, Fla., game, NFL officials acknowledged, but the reductions weren’t visible to fans.

For example, the NFL changed menu items at various parties and staffed bars differently, and had NFL staff arrive in town later than usual.

Supovitz would reveal where the NFL will hold some of its marquis events at the North Texas game, such as the NFL Experience, or where it will have the Super Bowl headquarters.

The NFL said it expects to visit the region every six weeks leading to the Super Bowl.