Indy covets more Super Bowl host duty

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard says the city that just hosted its first Super Bowl wants to do it again in the near future.

Ballard said Saturday at the NFL combine that within a few years, Indianapolis likely will put a bid together.

"There will be people within the next couple years or so, I think, that would be looking at putting something back in, or at least determining when we would be doing that sort of thing," Ballard said.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said the city did a "fantastic" job of hosting Super Bowl XLVI, praising Ballard, Colts owner Jim Irsay and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for their efforts.

Ballard said the city belongs in the rotation because of this year's success and its history of hosting major events.

Indianapolis probably wouldn't host the game again until at least 2017. Super Bowls are booked through 2015, and the city is committed to hosting the Women's Final Four in 2016.

"We know how to do these things, with Final Fours and Indianapolis 500s and all that, and I think the Super Bowl was a great success," he said.

Ballard said the city succeeded because of its people, including about 8,000 volunteers.

"I think we really embraced the game and embraced the entire concept of the Super Bowl, with so many people coming together, different committees all over for four years," he said. "I think it was a big hit."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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