 |
 |
 |
    |
||
|
|
Wednesday, Jan. 20 9:48pm ET Miami ready to do what it does best -- party |
|
| ||
| ||
| ||
|
Associated Press
MIAMI -- Forget the political scandals and election fraud, the ethnic tension and drug gangs, the flirtation with bankruptcy
and the cheating commissioner's wife, the burning cruise ship and
the bad, bad baseball.
Yes, Miami has a few problems. After all, this is the home of Alonzo Mourning, Vanilla Ice and ex-Mayor Loco. If it's not a banana republic, it's just plain bananas.
But the Super Bowl is coming to town, and that means the city is about to do what it does best.
Party!
With the nation watching its biggest game, this is a chance for Miami to improve its shaky image. The timing couldn't be better
because:
"You're going to see Miami at its best," said political scientist Dario Moreno, who once compared the city to a Third World
banana republic. "The Super Bowl speaks to Miami's strengths, which are entertainment, excitement and the spectacular."
1998 was another rough year for Miami's reputation. The city nearly sank into bankruptcy, and an ocean liner burst into flames.
Xavier Suarez earned the nickname Mayor Loco, then was thrown out of office for voter fraud.
The city commission chairman went to jail, and his wife admitted having an affair with his defense lawyer. A prosecutor resigned
when his secretaries were accused of having phone sex with a hit man.
The weather was hot and humid.
In sports, the defending World Series champion Marlins finished with the National League's worst record since 1969. They lost 108
games, not including the 2000 All-Star Game, which major league baseball moved from Miami to Atlanta.
"That was a knockdown pitch," said Bill Talbert, a tourism official still fuming six weeks after the decision. "It's one of
the most disgusting things any sporting group has done in a long time."
With straight faces, baseball officials explained they wanted the All-Star Game at a newer site than 11-year-old Pro Player
Stadium. This year's game will be at Fenway Park, which opened in 1912.
But if baseball jilted Miami, the NFL remains a frequent visitor. The Super Bowl will come to town Jan. 31 for the eighth
time, which ties New Orleans for the league lead.
"We like the stadium, the number of hotel rooms available, the weather, the ease of access with three airports, and the number of
things there are for people to do," said Jim Steeg, vice president of special events for the NFL. "You give them good weather, and
it's amazing how they have a good time, especially when it's 9 degrees in New York."
Yes, the game allows Miami to put on its best face: suntanned.
The celebrity scene swirling around the Super Bowl is like any Friday night on South Beach.
"What the Super Bowl does for us is sort of like icing on the cake," said Charlie Cinnamon, a public relations consultant who
has lived in Miami for 40 years. "You can't make a move without confronting a superstar celebrity, because they're pouring into
town. We're just hot, and we're wonderful."
In the end, the week will be remembered for this year's game. Some of the greatest Super Bowls took place in Miami:
That bodes well for 1999. On the other hand, Super Bowl week in 1989 was marred by a race riot.
"You just hope Bruce Dern isn't in town and he turns this year's game into 'Black Sunday,"' said radio talk-show host Jeff
DeForrest. "That would be another black eye for South Florida."
|
Murphy: Super letdown |
|
| Copyright 1995-98 ESPN/Starwave Partners d/b/a ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form. ESPN.com Privacy Policy (Updated 01/08/98). Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service (Updated 01/12/98). |