by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
At its first meeting Monday afternoon, the City Council’s special committee on Super Bowl issues wanted to be sure that when the NFL’s cameras focus on the city, the frames are filled with Jacksonville’s best.
The centerpiece of an upcoming NFL Kickoff party and televised concert next month, Super Bowl Host Committee reps confirmed Monday that the city will be given approximately five minutes of national air time.
“The game itself is still a few months out, but this seemed to come out of the blue,” said Committee member Art Graham. “I just want to understand what we have to do, as a city, to prepare for that kind of exposure.”
Committee member Michael Corrigan agreed, calling the five-minute spot “Jacksonville’s debut.”
“This is the first time we’ve been presented alongside the NFL and the Host Committee to such a large audience,” said Corrigan. “I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to make the most of the spotlight we’re going to get.”
A reoccurring concern, Committee member Suzanne Jenkins wanted to know what City facilities, if any, would make it on air and how they would be portrayed.
“I mean, are we just talking about showing somebody singing on stage at Metro Park and people in the audience?” she said. “Or are we going to show some footage of our new arena and ball park?
Host Committee president Michael Kelly was unsure how the city would be presented. He suggested that, until an act is booked and a plan put in place, it will be difficult to answer those kinds of questions.
“(The Host Committee) is still fine tuning its operations plan, with respect to the concert,” he said. “We hope to have that information between seven and nine days.”
Representatives from the mayor’s office later said Ch.12/25 has been contacted about compiling “beauty shots of Jacksonville” that may or may not be shown during the NFL broadcast.
Committee members said they want to view the footage when its ready.
“I just want to be sure that specific points of interest are highlighted,” said Jenkins. “We’re not a metropolitan city like Chicago, but no disrespect, I think people need to understand that we’re not a Brunswick, Ga. either.”