As South Florida, Tampa, and New York/New Jersey (the Meadowlands) anxiously awaited a decision from the 32 voters at the well-publicized spring meeting in Dallas, the tension could be cut with a knife. Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 was looking for a home, and this election brought up a rare possibility: championship football in the cold.

“We had a common goal to build a beautiful stadium,” Giants executive vice president and leader of the New York/New Jersey bid group Steve Tisch told the NFL Network.  “And we had a common goal to get the Super Bowl in 2014.”

This they did. After four rounds of stressful voting and much anticipation, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the Meadowlands in New Jersey would receive the big game in 2014, waiving the 50-degree minimum requirement for average temperature in order to bring the game back to the cold. It will be the first Super Bowl ever to be held in the area, a market that has hosted about every championship but the big game.

Each group was given 15 minutes to state their case as to why their site should be the host of the annually most-watched event on television, as the New York/New Jersey bid was the first to go. Their proposal was based around displaying historic moments of the sport that occurred in cold weather, and the potential $550 million that could be brought into both states if the game were to be held there. Both ownerships of the Jets and Giants also promised hand-warmers, seat-warmers, and pits of fire in the parking lot would be available for all fans if necessary.

South Florida, also known as Miami, was the first bid eliminated after two rounds of voting. Though incredibly productive in hosting five Super Bowls (including this past year’s game), many criticized the efficiency of Sun Life Stadium and the issues it brought.

Tampa was the other finalist heading into the majority vote, and seemed to be a dark-horse throughout the fight. Many felt that the venue and surrounding area was much more suitable for the event, but this bid fell just short. It would have been held at Raymond James Stadium, becoming the fifth game to be held in the city.

Around the time of 9/11, a group of supporters had attempted to get the late Giants Stadium to host the big game, but these efforts fell short. Additionally, a Super Bowl had been promised for the planned West Side Stadium that the Jets were to build, but this project was eventually abandoned.

Perhaps Giants treasurer Jonathan Tisch put it best.

“The greatest game in the world will be played on the biggest stage in the world.”

New Jersey, you have your Super Bowl.

-Representatives of the 32 teams will meet in Dallas tomorrow to officially vote on the location of the game, as the Meadowlands square off against destinations in Tampa and Miami.

-This year will be the first year of the new stadium, as it will be appealing to voters due to its abilities to be converted rather quickly to a neutral site. The Giants and Jets will utilize this factor for the foreseeable future.

-If the vote gets passed, many estimates claim that the economies for New Jersey and New York could receive up to $500 million in the days leading up to and after the big game. It could also assist in selling the PSL’s for the stadium, which has been a cause of concern for owners of the two teams.

Upon hearing about the possible passing of the vote, Giants co-owner Jon Tisch asserted his belief in the bid.

“We certainly think that our bid is compelling,” Tisch told The Star-Ledger. “So to hear initially that some of the owners think it’s a good idea makes us feel like we’re doing something that’s appropriate, and that the league will benefit and ownership will benefit from having the Super Bowl in New York City.”

SFC will have an official announcement on the vote tomorrow, so please stay tuned.

As one can see, the side closest to the new stadium is completely demolished, leaving the stadium literally half standing.

Demolition is expected to be completed by July, and assuming it picks up at this pace, it should hold true. The new stadium has already opened to select events, and will open officially with a Giants/Panthers regular season game in September.

Photos Courtesy WCBS 880

Many of you know that over the past year and a half or so, we have been giving several updates about the demolition of same famous stadiums. Coincidentally, these have been in the New York City area, and we will continue to do this until these historic buildings no longer exist.

While we will have at least one more shocking Yankee Stadium update soon (virtually nothing is left), we now continue with our demolition of the former home of the New York Giants and Jets. The demolition process of this stadium will be much more along the lines of that of Shea Stadium, one that will be accomplished relatively quickly.

As a fan who has spent much time at this stadium (alongside for many concerts as well), it is very heartbreaking to see it go. While the opening of the new Meadowlands Stadium did go relatively well last weekend, it is definite that things will not be the same in the Meadowlands.

Structural demolition of the stadium is expected to be complete by July, as it will be turned into a parking lot from there on.

As the new Meadowlands Stadium opens its doors for a triple-header of lacrosse games this Saturday, the world now gets their final look at the nearly-completed facility.

The stadium will be home to the New York Giants as well as the New York Jets, and is one of the final two candidates for a Super Bowl bid in 2014.

Video courtesy of nj.com.