Super Bowl lobbying effort goes OT

Indianapolis won round 1 of the battle to host the 2012 Super Bowl. After a Super Bowl committee meeting this afternoon, it was determined that Indianapolis will present first, followed by Phoenix, then Houston. Indianapolis will give its 15-minute presentation tomorrow about 1:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton here in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. League sources expect a decision by 3  p.m.

Mark Miles, who is leading Indy’s bid-seeking posse, said the 15-person local bid group will rehearse one last time tonight. Miles expects few, if any, changes from the originally planned bid pitch.

While some of the owners met in committee meetings today, there was plenty of back room negotiating and lobbying in the hotel’s lobby, side rooms, restaurant and bar. Members of the local contingency were highly visible chatting up their case with whoever would listen. Those informal lobbying efforts and talks are expected to continue into the evening. Even later than that, Indianapolis leaders are supposed to give local media a sneak peek at the executive summary of the pitch they will make to the 32 NFL owners. So stay tuned to www.IBJ.com and The Score.