Indianapolis to make bid for 2018 Super Bowl - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Super Bowl Host Committee is wrapping up five years of planning after Super Bowl XLVI - and now they're going for 2018.

Super Bowl Host Committee President and CEO Allison Melangton made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday. The city will make its bid for the 2018 game in early 2014. Melangton, who soon returns to the Indiana Sports Corp., will once again lead the bid effort.

The host committee, along with Mayor Greg Ballard and Gov. Mitch Daniels, held the news conference to announce the economic impact of the 2012 Super Bowl. 

"Someone else spent the money and Indianapolis benefited from it, plain and simple. So, I have four words: let's do it again!" said Mayor Greg Ballard.

Melangton pointed out the reasons for the city's success, including corporate generosity, positive media exposure, economic impact, a focus that went beyond the game, the near east side Legacy Project, the Super Bowl Village and NFL Experience, emerging business, collaborative partnerships, Hoosier hospitality, inclusiveness and diversity, and volunteer leadership.

The announcement comes less than six months after the city hosted its very first Super Bowl to rave review from fans, the media and even Jimmy Fallon.

A new study shows the 10-day event drew 116,000 out-of-town visitors, providing a direct economic impact of $176 million.

Of the media exposure Indianapolis received thanks to the game, Melangton said it was nearly 100 percent positive.

The week before the game was mild and sunny, but organizers say they believe large crowds would have come in colder weather, too.

The event exceeded expectations across the board. The just-released study puts the direct economic impact at $176 million, which is $26 million more than projected by a PricewaterhouseCoopers study done several years ago.  

It's also twice the impact of the city's five largest conventions combined.

"Last time we had to prove we could do it," said the mayor. "We started in the underdog role. We're not the underdogs anymore. People love coming here so we're starting at a different place in people's minds."

A key factor in going for a replay is the response from corporate sponsors who ponied up $28 million to help host the 2012 game.

"I'm telling you the enthusiasm among the corporate community, our existing donors is off the the charts. The private sector is ready to re-up," said Mark Miles, Super Bowl Host Committee.

"I'm behind it in every way, shape and form," said Colts owner Jim Irsay. Still, he expects fierce competition - and unlike last time, there's no new stadium to tout.

"Without that advantage, this is a little different territory but with the successes we've had I think we have an excellent chance of making our case and going after another one," he said.

The direct economic impact includes money that was spent by out-of-town visitors and money that stayed in the Indianapolis area. It's money that went directly to businesses involved in the game and hosting visitors.

The study, done by Rockport Analytics, based in West Chester, Pa., estimates that 116,000 people traveled 50 miles or more to take part in Super Bowl festivities (that includes 68,500 game attendees). Many stayed an average of four days, spending roughly $290 a night on hotel accommodations.

Hotels and restaurants were the biggest beneficiaries, generating $61 million in direct impact. Arts and entertainment followed, pulling in nearly $20 million, followed by retail, drawing about $15 million.

The Super Bowl also pumped up government coffers, generating just under $25 million in additional state taxes and $21 million in local taxes.

The study pegs the value of the national and international media exposure at $8.4 million with 99 percent of the coverage "positive."

Ken McGill, managing director of Rockport Analytics said compared to other Super Bowl host cities, Indianapolis did "a little above the median."

He called the money generated, "a phenomenal yield over ten days time in the winter season....the only other event in same class is the Olympics."

McGill stressed he was conservative with the numbers. He said there was no resident spending (he did not, for instance, include any money from the NFL Experience) and he said he did not include any money that left Indianapolis with an outside vendor.

The Super Bowl Host Committee raised $28 million from 133 private and corporate donors to host the event. The committee finishes with a $1.8 million surplus. The reserve will be set aside for a future bid.

The NFL will decide next spring which cities will host the 2016 and 2017 Super Bowl.

Mayoral Spokesman Marc Lotter said "an announcement will come soon" on the city's decision to go for another Super Bowl.