Arizona awarded 2015 Super Bowl

[HMFFL]

Ah, Arizona. Just the place for the Super Bowl to thaw out after a frosty foray into the New York/New Jersey area.

The Super Bowl is heading back to the desert in 2015, one year after it will be at the mercy of winter weather in the Meadowlands. The Phoenix area was awarded the 49th Super Bowl by NFL owners Tuesday, beating the only other candidate - Tampa, Fla.

It will be the third time the Phoenix area has hosted the game, which will be played in Glendale.

"We are thrilled to be back in Arizona," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "I will say it was a difficult choice."

Phoenix won on the second ballot, prompting screams of joy from the Arizona committee.

"Everyone pulled together throughout the Phoenix area to put together a terrific package we were able to present to the owners," Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said. "We are delighted."

It's difficult to be critical of the choice weather-wise: average temperature in early February in Glendale is about 60 degrees. In East Rutherford, N.J., where the first outdoor Super Bowl in a cold-weather climate will be played in 2014, the average is a slightly chillier 31 degrees.

The NFL also set Feb. 2, 2014, as the date of the Super Bowl in New Jersey; that date will not conflict with the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

"It's historically warmer on Feb. 2," Giants owner John Mara said with a smile. He didn't mention the possibility of snow, freezing rain, blustery winds and all the accompanying elements. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/f ... &eref=sihp