Great Lakes & Upper South in the News: "Is Hosting The Super Bowl Worth It?" from NPR

"This is what it's like to host the Super Bowl: For one weekend, your city is the focus of the sporting universe. Fans flock in droves. They eat at your restaurants and sleep in your hotels. They buy the "I ♥ [your city]" t-shirts.


The NFL estimates that hosting the country's premier sporting event will give the local economy a $300-500 million jolt.


Economist Victor Matheson of the College of Holy Cross doesn't buy it.


In today's podcast, co-hosted from Indianapolis by NPR's Mike Pesca, Matheson presents the case against hosting the Super Bowl.


He argues hosting the Super Bowl pushes out the economic activities that occur on normal, non-Super Bowl hosting weekends. No conventions are held. Museums are closed. Local residents do not come downtown simply because it's too crowded.


What's more, Matheson says, the majority of the money that's being shelled out by out-of-towners does not even stay in the city. It flows to the big, national hotel companies and restaurant chains."


Link:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/02/03/146363292/the-friday-podcast-is-hosting-the-super-bowl-worth-it

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Destination: Indianapolis for the Lucas Oil Stadium

Ground Zero for all the festivities.  Built in the southern section of downtown, Lucas Oil Stadium, it cannot be missed.  Tours are normally available Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $7.00.  The on-site Colts Pro Shop is open year-around.  


Lucas Oil Stadium 
http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/
500 South Capitol Avenue  
Indianapolis, IN 46225-1117
(317) 262-8600

Great Lakes Casual Traveler Facebook group:
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Destination: Indianapolis for the National Art Museum of Sport

Like adding chocolate and peanut butter (g)!  The NAMS's a well curated collection of sport-inspired art will be on special display downtown in Monument Circle.  


National Art Museum of Sport
http://www.namos.iupui.edu/
850 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-3627

Great Lakes Casual Traveler Facebook group:

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Destination: Indianapolis for the Indianapolis City Market

This market has a little of everything, well, other than reasonable hours, current and easy to use web site.....Okay, enough of the negatives.  While the landing page gives Wednesday as the only open hours, if you dig enough, you will find that the core city market hours are perfect for a Super Bowl visitor.  Besides a range of vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and bread, the market has its a tap room on the second floor.  Also this week are special tours of the catacombs under Whistler Plaza. 


Indianapolis City Market
www.indycm.com/
222 East Market Street  
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3336
(317) 634-9266

Great Lakes Casual Traveler Facebook group:

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Great Lakes Casual Traveler Picasa Web photo site:

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http://www.panoramio.com/user/5023543