The Jets and Giants say they want to make some history, and why not show off their new digs at the same time -- by getting Super Bowl XLVIII at Meadowlands Stadium.
"Obviously weather will be a big part of the debate," admitted New Meadowlands Stadium CEO Mark Lamping, at a ceremony where both team owners signed their bid application to get the premier game in American Sports.
The 48th edition of the Super Bowl, played in the winter of 2014, could have a rough time getting to the Garden State because the NFL has a rule that a host city must have a minimum temperature of 50 degrees in February, or a domed stadium.
New York (Okay, East Rutherford, New Jersey -- but who's counting?) loses on both counts.
"We'll be lucky if it snows," said Jets owner Woody Johnson who, along with Giants owners Steve Tisch and John Mara, hopes to turn winter weather into a plus instead of a minus.
"We know snow," Johnson added. The bid will emphasize the experience of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the NJ DOT, as well as the New York City Department of Sanitation, which is "heralded as the most efficient weather-clearing system in the country," according to a release.
New York comes into play because the two teams, though they play and train in New Jersey, have never given up the New York moniker.
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In fact, their bid proposes the NFL Super Bowl Party in the city at either the American Museum of Natural History or on Ellis Island.
The NFL Experience is suggested for either the James A. Farley Post Office building or the Jacob K. Javits Center -- both in the city.
Not that New Jersey would be left with crumbs.
The NFL Tailgate would be at the Meadowlands Racetrack and the nearby Izod Center.
Super Bowl Saturday Night, with its concert, would be at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
This showcase for the teams' new billion-plus dollar stadium is also seen as a boost to the regional bottom line.
"It would be awesome," said Elsie Palsi, part owner of Redds bar and restaurant, a long walk from the Meadowlands.
Fans like the idea as well. "I'd love to see it here," said Giants fan Dave Ryan of Howell, N.J.
But would he go? "If you gave me tickets I'd go," said Ryan.
Now back to the weather.
Giants QB Eli Manning referred to the ice bowl played in Green Bay two years ago when his team beat the Green Bay Packers on their own tundra to advance to the Super Bowl that year.
"Those experiences make a game more special, they make it more memorable," said Manning.
As for the chance to play in the Big Game at home, legendary Giants running back Ottis "O.J." Anderson said, "This is the greatest place in the world to have it, it's bigger than Ringling Brothers."
The NFL owners are expected to decide on May 25, at their meeting in Dallas, whether the 2014 Super Bowl will be in Miami, Tampa, or East Rutherford, N.J.
Follow Brian Thompson on Twitter @brian4NY
