The fast-on-his-feet former tap dancer, now head of U.S. Bancorp Richard Davis and successful Super Bowl bid veteran Marilyn Carlson Nelson will make the sales pitch for the Twin Cities to the NFL owners on Tuesday in Atlanta.
The two are chairs of the bid steering committee along with Ecolab chief Doug Baker who won't make the trip to Atlanta.
Davis is a fast-thinking, commanding speaker with an assured manner. Carlson Nelson is also a veteran in the spotlight. She was a leader of the successful effort that brought the 1992 Super Bowl bid to the Metrodome.
The two will be among the five from the Twin Cities delegation in the room with the owners of the 32 NFL teams. The other three Minnesotans won't be allowed to speak. Minnesota Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf will be present in the room as owners.
Minneapolis, New Orleans and Indianapolis are the three finalists for the game. The owners will hear the presentations from each city then immediately take a vote and announce the winner. Most media isn't allowed in the room, but the NFL Network will broadcast the voting live.
The vote is part of the regularly scheduled owners meeting that begins Monday at the Ritz in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood. All cities will have an hour to practice and prep for their presentations in closed-door sessions Monday.
The owners are the only ones who vote on where to send the game.
In 2018, the new Minnesota Multipurpose Stadium will have played host to two Vikings seasons. The team is hoping to bring the game to town to showcase the massive new stadium.
