In a "first-of-its-kind" promotion for the NFL, Virginia-based marketing company Time Has Come (THC) will decorate two hot-air balloons "featuring the Super Bowl logo and the names and helmets of the championship teams," according to Zachary Goldfarb of the WASHINGTON POST. The balloons, both 72-by-58 feet, will be flown over Univ. of Phoenix stadium in Glendale prior to opening kickoff. But because of security regulations, the balloons will come down "shortly before the Super Bowl and be anchored near" the stadium. One of the balloons will be "burgundy and furnished with the logos of the NFL and the two teams. The second balloon will be, like the Lombardi Trophy, silver and will feature the helmets of the two teams and the Super Bowl logo." The helmet of the losing team will be replaced with the champion's banner and flown over the stadium after the game. THC Proprietor Tim Courson indicated that the balloons have "encouraged him to seek other sports gigs," and he is "developing a proposal" for the Kentucky Derby (WASHINGTON POST, 1/14). NFL EXPERIENCE: The NFL Experience this year will cover "850,000 square feet of space on the east side of [Univ.] of Phoenix Stadium." Event organizers expect crowds of more than 150,000 to attend the Experience, which will feature "more than 50 interactive booths and games for children and adults." Crews moved in January 7 and will be building tents and stages over the next two weeks ( EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE, 1/11 ). BOWLED OVER: In N.Y. , Bob Raissman cited network sources as saying that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "is getting close to pulling the trigger on a new Pro Bowl plan," which will begin around Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa in '09. The Pro Bowl would be played "in prime-time the week before the Super Bowl," with NBC broadcasting the game. NBC has rights to that season's Super Bowl (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/13).
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