NFL mulls option of New York Super Bowl to help city recover from attacks

By DAVE GOLDBERG
AP Football Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A New York Super Bowl is under consideration by the NFL in its effort to keep a full season.

The idea of holding the title game at Giants Stadium on Feb. 3 was proposed by New York Sen. Charles Schumer, who said it would pump $400 million into the city and help economic recovery from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Sunday it's "one of the options."

"It would be one way to help rebuild the city," Tagliabue said. "But there would also be logistical problems and security problems. It's one of many ideas under consideration."

The NFL also is looking at other cities, including Los Angeles, Tampa and Miami.

"They should just decree that the Giants and the Jets are going to be in it and stop all this nonsense with all these other teams," joked New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Tagliabue spent much of last week negotiating with the National Association of Auto Dealers, trying to switch dates with the group, which is scheduled to meet in New Orleans on Feb. 3.

The Super Bowl had been scheduled for New Orleans on Jan. 27, but the NFL wants to delay the playoffs a week because of the time it took off after the attacks.

Tagliabue said he is exploring the possibility of an accelerated playoff system that would keep the Super Bowl in New Orleans on the scheduled date.

The NFL also could reduce playoff teams from 12 to eight and play the normal schedule, which would culminate with the Super Bowl on its original date.

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