Lawmakers: NFL Has Completely Ignored N.J. During Super Bowl Ramp-Up
SECAUCUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- With the Super Bowl XLVIII just days away, you'd never know it from the New Jersey side of this two-part equation.
Some lawmakers say the NFL hasn't endorsed any of its events, leaving New Jersey out of the spotlight and in the cold, CBS 2's Emily Smith reported Monday.
While the big game is being held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., some Jersey leaders said they are worried that the league hasn't gotten the memo that this is not New York City's Super Bowl.
"It's just not a feeling of ... it's almost like not wanting to be here," Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli said of the NFL.
With the Super Bowl just days away, New York City is clearly ready, turning Times Square into an official NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl zone.
Meanwhile in New Jersey you can't find a banner or sign with the words "Super Bowl" on it. New Jersey lawmakers say it's because the NFL hasn't recognized their events, and therefore they can't use the official name "Super Bowl."
"To not be able to hang a banner in the town that is hosting the Super Bowl and says 'home of the Super Bowl.' it is frustrating," East Rutherford Councilman Joel Brizzi said.
"New Jersey is where the Super Bowl is held. New Jersey is where the players are staying, and Secaucus, which is where you are now, is in between New York City and MetLife Stadium," Mayor Gonnelli said.
Against that backdrop, local New Jersey leaders held this celebratory event in Secaucus, complete with the famed Vince Lombardi Trophy to officially unveil party plans.
Secaucus was forced to dub its bash "Winter Blast," and East Rutherford "The Meadowlands Tailgate Event," Smith reported.
"It's a double-state Super Bowl, but New Jersey seems to be getting the short end of the stick on it," Mayor Gonnelli said.
"It's a never-ending story. The teams are still called New York Giants and New York Jets, and as much as we want it all to change, that's likely not going to happen," said Jim Kirkos, CEO of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce.
One thing New Jersey has that New York doesn't is the game, just not any of the fame.
New Jersey leaders said they get it: New York City has the cache and international appeal, but added a little recognition from the NFL would be nice.
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