New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and New York Giants owners Steve Tisch and John Mara got along famously during Wednesday's press conference to officially kick off the New York/New Jersey bid for the 2014 Super Bowl.
The only hint that the three aren't really all part of the same team? Johnson's light green tie vs. the blue ones worn by Tisch and Mara.
Question is this, though. If the dream scenario unfolds, meaning the New Meadowlands Stadium wins the bid for the 2014 game and the Jets and Giants earn the right to play each other in that game, could the fans get along that well?
What would happen on the streets of New York or New Jersey if opposing fans wearing their team's colors passed each other? Would there be food fights, or worse, during the pre-game tailgate? How many fist-fights will erupt in the stands? The men's room? I don't even want to think about that.
I am, for the most part, kidding with some of that. I would hope -- if it were to ever happen -- that fans on both sides would see it for what it is and revel in the experience.
Think the Yankees-Mets World Series in 2000 was a big deal? A New York vs. New York Super Bowl -- in the Meadowlands -- would probably be the biggest, most-anticipated, most-hyped, most watched sporting event ever.
I do have a serious question, though? Why can't the Meadowlands host a Super Bowl? Shoot, for that matter why did Giants Stadium never get to host one?
I know that there has never been a Super Bowl played in a cold-weather, outdoor venue. And I know that the Super Bowls played in cold-weather cities with domed stadiums, Detroit and Minnesota, played to less-than-stellar reviews.
Let's face reality, though. Detroit and Minnesota are not New York. No offense to those cities, but what is there to do in those places even when it's nice outside? Not much.
A New York/New Jersey Super Bowl would be a completely different story.
Let's face another reality. From the NFL's perspective the Super Bowl is not really about the game, or crowning a champion. Only the teams playing -- and their fans -- really care about that. So, I don't want to hear arguments about how weather conditions could affect the outcome. Who cares? They affect the outcome of every other game, so what's the big deal?
The Super Bowl is about the party. It's about the money that rolls in from corporate sponsors. It's about the party. It's about the promotion and the NFL's ability to grow its audience and sell itself world-wide.
What better place in the world is there to throw a week-long party than New York, the city that never sleeps? In all honesty, I can't think of a better place for the NFL to host a Super Bowl -- especially with a brand new, beautiful stadium built to fully accommodate two teams.
If NFL owners do not award the game to the New York/New Jersey contingent when they meet May 25 -- choosing again the warm-weather spots Tampa or Miami -- then I believe a cold-weather, outdoor venue will never get a Super Bowl.
And that is a shame.