NFL awards New Orleans Super Bowl XLVII

NEW ORLEANS ― In what turned out to be a mere formality, sentimental favorite New Orleans beat out Glendale, Ariz., and Miami on Tuesday, earning the city’s 10th Super Bowl and showing once again that the NFL loves the Crescent City.

New Orleans will host the 2013 Super Bowl, tying South Florida for what will by then be a league-record 10th hosting the game.
Super Bowl XLVII will be the first in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina tore through the city, damaging the Superdome. The Saints played the entire 2005 season on the road.
“This is a great accomplishment for New Orleans and the significance of bringing the Super Bowl to our city and region can’t be overstated,” Saints Owner Tom Benson said. “From every perspective, this shows that our city is on the rise, viable and thriving, and I have great faith in what we can accomplish and the impact it will have, starting today.” Said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, “I think this is a great statement about the people and the spirit of New Orleans.”
The naming of New Orleans as Super Bowl XLVII host in 2013 comes weeks after Benson, the Saints and the state of Louisiana hammered out a long-term deal that will keep the NFL franchise in the Superdome through 2025.
That turned out to be the key to getting the Super Bowl. The NFL doesn’t like to give the Super Bowl to a city without a lease, which for New Orleans, would have run out in 2010.
By the time the Superdome welcomes the NFL’s top two teams on Feb. 3, 2013, more than $80 million in renovations will be finished. Combined with post-Katrina renovations, it’ll be a new stadium inside the shell of the old one.
"This win shows that New Orleans is a premier host for major sports and entertainment events – and will be a perfect backdrop when the eyes of the world are upon us,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said. “Indeed, Louisiana is committed to making sure the 2013 Super Bowl is unparalleled.
“That’s why it was critical for the state to come together with the New Orleans Saints and the Louisiana Superdome to establish a long-term agreement that will save taxpayers money, significantly improve the playing venue and dramatically revitalize the stadium area and the surrounding neighborhood."
The last Super Bowl played in New Orleans was in 2002, when New England, led by Tom Brady, came from behind to defeat the favored St. Louis Rams with a last-second field goal.
On May 6, the city sent its official bid to NFL owners, including hand made cypress boxes containing the city’s bid specifications. Custom art work adorned the boxes and an iPod – preloaded with sites and sounds of New Orleans – was included.
"New Orleans and the Super Bowl are synonymous,” New Orleans Sports Foundation President/CEO Jay Cicero said. “We are proud to have spearheaded the bid effort with the Saints. We look forward to serving the State and City as the New Orleans Host Committee Staff for the 2013 Super Bowl.
“The Super Bowl is the preeminent event to host and it will put New Orleans in the forefront of people’s minds for years to come.”