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PHOENIX -- There are literally thousands of out-of-towners here who have no intent of viewing Sunday's Super Bowl.
You'll find them stationed in hotel lobbys but mainly outside dozens of the area's most popular nightclubs and restaurants.
They're armed with cameras, autograph books and the like. They're known as celebrity chasers and they've come to the right place.
No place like the Super Bowl attracts a more diverse setting of sports and movie personalities. The parties begin three of four nights prior to the game. And by Sunday, most have already returned to L.A., Vegas, the east coast, and even abroad.
Saturday afternoon I stationed myself inside the SB's designated media capital -- the Greater Phoenix Visitor's and Convention Center where various public relations' reps help determine which affiliates i.e. New York Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune etc. rate access invites to these 'A' list parties.
Somehow, the two magic words (Martins Ferry) didn't appear to carry much clout for yours truly in his quest to get up close and personal with -- say, Eva Longoria, Jenny McCarthy or Mariah Carey.
"What do you mean 'Where's Martins Ferry?' I must have repeated myself 50 times. "It's Ohio's first settlement," I retorted. "Surely, you're not that ill-informed?"
Apparently, they were. Instead of scoring guest list status for Terrell Owens' red-carpet bash at a Scottsdale private club, I was offered a complimentary ticket to tour the Phoenix Zoo. But, hey, take heart. The Times Leader has been credentialed for it's fourth Super Bowl and there are still more than a few accompanying perks.
In the meantime, we've compiled a partial list of mega-stars witnessed in and around town: Jim Carrey, Chris Rock, Ludacris, Emmitt Smith, Carrie Underwood, Gene Simmons (of Kiss fame), Justin Timberlake, Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, John Travolta, NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson, Marcus Allen…
Britney Spears was reportedly unable to attend. Word has it she saw her shadow this morning which means six more weeks of rehab!!!!
TONIGHT'S Taste of the NFL is one of numerous fund-raisers this week expected to raise nearly $2 million for NFL-related charities. Taste of the NFL brings to town world-class chefs from around the country offering samplings of their creative dishes. The event generates nearly $500,000 designed to help combat hunger…Additionally, there are golf and bowling fundraisers ticketed to raise $250,000 for the league's charity foundations…
A NEW event is being christened tonight. "Super Bowl Eve" kicks off at 6 p.m. at Tempe Town Lake near the site of Super Bowl XXXV, staged here at Arizona State's Sun Devil Stadium. This is a fan-friendly atmosphere and there is no charge for the public. The rock band Counting Crows performs a 75-minute concert. Several NFL players will attend and sign free autographs. The four-hour shindig culminates with a fireworks display…
THE NFL prefers to have an open roof at University of Phoenix Stadium for Sunday's 4:20 (mountain time) scheduled kickoff. However, the forecast calls for temps in the low 60s with a 30 per cent chance of showers….
IN ALL, corporate sponsors spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 billion with the NFL and its television-network partners for sponsoring-rights fees and promotions to advertising during broadcast games. The new affilates teamed up with the NFL for 2007. They are: Expedia.com, Bank of America, and Bridgestone. The latter sponsors Sunday's halftime featuring legendary rockers Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Bridgestone signed on for at least one additional SB in 2009.
GIANTS coach Tom Coughlin faced the media for a finaltime Saturday. "I'm glad this is it," he stated. "Ican't imagine any more (relevant) questions at thispoint."Coughlin said his team should be reasonably healthyfollowing various bouts with the flu. "A couple guysmay be a little weak, but we'll have no excuses…"PATS' coach Bill Belichick was asked how his teammight be perceived should New England fail to prevail."Ask me Sunday night and not before," he retorted.HUNDREDS of potential ticket buyers are finding this aseller's market, not so surprisingly. We've yet toencounter a single soul with ticket (for sale) inhand…There are, however, a number of brokers in town, amajority of whom are offering 'packages' which includelimo service and post-game party invites. One rep isasking $25,000….
NEXT year's Super Bowl is at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. In 2010, Miami again hosts the event. Then, in 2011, the Cowboys' new facility which is still under construction in Arlington, Tx., serves as host….