Eying the Super Bowl, Again

The 2008 Super Bowl added millions of dollars to the Arizona economy, but getting the big game back as early as 2012 will require a revision in state tax laws, according to leaders of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee.

The week of events cost the committee $17 million. Private contributors put up more than 80% of the committee’s budget, with state and local agencies making up the balance.

Arizona wants to bid on the 2012 Super Bowl, but a sagging economy could make it difficult to raise millions of dollars from private interests. Increasing the public sector funding, committee officials said, will be necessary to land the event.

The committee has recommended a law, similar to one in Texas, that allows state sales taxes to help meet the cost of hosting major sporting events.

Texas law allows sales tax revenues in excess of estimates to be placed in a state-managed trust fund. The local host committee can draw on the trust fund to pay for event expenses.

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