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PHOENIX — WILL PLAY FOR FREE: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are not being paid to perform their 12-minute set for tonight’s Super Bowl. Petty and past SB artists such as Paul McCartney, Prince, the Rolling Stones and U2 are more than willing to provide their services, considering nearly 100,000 million will be viewing both domestically and internationally.
Past history suggests the Super Bowl halftime acts have enjoyed record windfalls from escalating sales following their brief gigs. According to a spokesman for the NFL: “We have major artists and bands contact us many times over the course of a given year, offering their services to perform.
(It’s) more than a fair tradeoff. The artists benefit more than anyone.”
During a press conference last week, Petty labeled his SB invite, “a mind-blowing experience. We’re thrilled to even be considered,” the 60-year old rocker explained. Petty said other than the waiting, paring an extensive hits list into a 12-minute set was the hardest part.\par \tab Popular R&B singer Alicia Keys will sing a number of her hits during tonight’s pre-game entertainment. American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, ironically, a native of Glendale, the Super Bowl’s host city, is singing the National Anthem…
READ ALL ABOUT IT: The biggest game of the year will have the biggest media contingent ever. In addition to the Times-Leader, the National Football League has credentialed 4,785 other media organizations, including hundreds of journalists from abroad.
This year’s credential total surpasses last year’s 4,516 which were issued for Super Bowl XLI in South Florida. “The media has a job to do and it is the connection between our football team, our fans and the people who have a keen interest in the game,” declared Pats’ coach Bill Belichick. “The media is the conduit of information from the team to the fans and the fans are what drives the game…”
ONE FOR THE ROAD: The Giants completed their final practice during a roughly 50-minute walk-through session Saturday.
“We’re excited and ready to go,” Giants’ coach Tom Coughlin declared afterward. “It’s been a nice week in terms of working up to the game and we finnd ourselves right here, so we’re looking forward to it…”
Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, unable to practice this week due to ankle and knee concerns, participated in Saturday’s walk-through without limitation. “I think he’s a little better today,” Coughlin advised. “He’s gotten a little better each day and hopefully, will have some further improvement (Sunday)….”
Saturday’s walk-through began with an abbreviated stretching session, followed by special teams, defense and offense. Team president John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese watched from the sideline under sunny skies and temps in the mid 60s at the Arizona Cardinals’ practice facility in nearby Tempe…
Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, an inspirational figure for the Giants this season, also viewed the waslk-through from the sideline with his son, Jaelen. The elder Gadson, who lost both legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq, served as an honorary team captain along with Hall of Famer Harry Carson, for the NFC Championship Game…
HALT, WHO GOES THERE?: Needless to say, security for today’s game is virtually off the chart. The NFL has advised fans to arrive at least 2-3 hours prior to kickoff due to extensive screening measures to be implemented.
The hundreds of security personnel are comprised of federal and state law enforcement agencies with the support of U.S. military in addition to fire, emergency management, and public health entities.
Temporary flight restrictions will be in place that prohibits private aircraft from operating in a large radius around the sports complex. No blimps or other aircraft are permitted to circle the premises…
LOOK AND LISTEN: While the FOX TV network has broadcast rights, Westwood One’s national radio broadcast includes play-by-play vet Marv Albert who’s joined by color commentator Boomer Esiason in the booth. Sideline reporters are John Dockery and Kevin Kiley. Serving as pre-game and halftime host is Jim Gray….
STOP SCAMMING ME: The Phoenix Police Department arrested an out-of-towner in possession of $67,000 in illegal and unauthorized Super Bowl merchandise.
Additionally, a number of counterfeit tickets have also circulated. Face value for a Super Bowl XVII ticket? $700…..