THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE TAMPA BAY SUPER BOWL LV HOST COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 2020
IN THIS EDITION
Features 3 Meet The Krewe
Get to know Cody Liner, Creative Specialist for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee.
5 Getting involved
Registration to be a Community Ambassador is NOW LIVE! Don’t miss out on your chance to be involved with #TampaBayLV. Also, read about updates from the Business Connect program!
6 #TampaBayLV Virtual Game Ball Initiative Learn how to “Share the LoVe” by recognizing community heroes that are giving back!
7 Team Tampa Bay’s Take
Carmen Vitali, Staff Writer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, gives us an inside look at what Super Bowl LV means for the team: making history.
9 Tampa Bay 55 Podcast
See the new guests that have made virtual appearances on the Tampa Bay 55 podcast.
10 In the media
Discover what people are saying on social media about #TampaBayLV!
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Our team is a passionate group of MVPs who are ready to propel the #TampaBayLV movement forward forever, together. “Together, we will focus on raising the bar for the fan experience in the region, implementing lasting legacy initiatives, showcasing the destination’s recent progress and exciting future, all while delivering a fifth world-class Super Bowl.” - Rob Higgins
Cody Liner
Creative Specialist
Imaginative and focused on delivering a message that moves consumers, Cody Liner serves as the Creative Specialist for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Liner is responsible for building thoughtful storytelling elements and targeted messaging supporting the Host Committee’s “Forward. Forever. Together,” brand on digital, print and social content channels. A graduate of The University of Tampa, Liner holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management as well as a Master of Business Administration. He launched his career in the sports and events industry during his freshman year. Liner served as the Student Assistant Coach and Graduate Assistant for six seasons with the UT Women’s Volleyball team and was a part of four Sunshine State Conference Championships, three South Regional Championships, and two NCAA Division II National Championships (2014 & 2018). At the same time, he also worked on the small but critical team responsible for bringing renowned championship events to Tampa Bay. In his role with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Liner volunteered with the 2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four and 2018 NHL All-Star Weekend. He also directly worked on critical planning supporting the 2017 NCAA Frozen Four, 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2019 NCAA Women’s Final Four, as well as many youth, amateur, and special events. Passionate about how professional sporting events lift the communities they serve, Cody is excited to continue his tenure and to contribute to Tampa Bay’s fifth Super Bowl.
In your role as the Creative Specialist for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee, a huge part of your job is to tell the story of our community’s hosting efforts. What do you hope the “story” of Super Bowl LV will be after the festivities are over? I hope that our hosting efforts leave a lasting impression on both visitors and locals alike. Tampa Bay’s fifth Super Bowl is a monumental occasion, and its timing has it positioned to be a centrally-focused moment for both our community and nation. Since hosting its last Super Bowl, Tampa Bay has grown in so many ways, but more importantly, we want to convey where it is headed. More than just a destination on the water, Tampa is rich in history and culture, full of vibrancy, and – much like our Host Committee theme – it’s a city that is propelling forward. With a series of community projects in the works, I hope the impact of Super Bowl LV will be retold for years to come. There’s no doubt that this year has been a challenging time for so many. With the collaboration of city leaders, local businesses and organizations, we have an excellent
opportunity to inspire and unite by telling the story of a community that persevered to impact others through a Super Bowl positively. You have served in multiple roles with the Sports Commission, including most recently with the 2018 NHL All-Star Weekend and the 2019 NCAA Women’s Final Four prior to your full-time role with the Super Bowl Host Committee. How do you believe your past experiences with the team has helped you during this transition? I am incredibly fortunate to have been a part of Team Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission for many of its community events over the past few years. From local favorites, such as Tailgate Taste Fest and Sneaker Soiree, to major events, including the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2018 NHL All-Star Game and the 2019 NCAA Women’s Final Four, I have worked in several different areas of planning efforts. The team here is small but mighty, and its always a goal to surpass expectations. Whether volunteering or planning a major event, it’s all about being versatile, hard working and committed to helping make the vision become a reality, however and whenever possible sometimes that means around the clock. I’m grateful to have had several “once-in-a-lifetime opportunities” to help our city shine. As a graduate of The University of Tampa, how surreal is it to now reside in the city you have come to call home and bring such a large-scale event to our community? Tampa has become more than where I went to college and now work. I call Tampa “home.” It’s crazy to think that I have the opportunity to be a part of our community’s fifth Super Bowl in just my first year after completing my undergraduate and graduate degrees. Super Bowl LV has been years in the making for Tampa Bay. The fact that I’m fortunate enough to not only play a role in making it happen, but also get to do it alongside an incredible staff that I consider family – it’s surreal! Tampa has a special place in my heart, and now I get to give back to this community in a special way. I know that there will be moments during Super Bowl week where I will be taking it all in, thankful for every moment I’ve experienced. You have held this current role for a little over a year so far and worked on many creative projects along the way. Is there one in particular that stands out that you are extra proud of? There have been multiple projects of which I’m proud. Some have pushed me past my comfort zone, but I think that makes this new role so unique. From designing our Super Bowl LV Host Committee brand and guidelines to designing a custom paddleboard – every moment has created a new challenge. Our team has created logos, developed social media campaigns, and even assisted with how to feature the Host Committee’s brand within the Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s. Overall, the project that holds a special place for me is the continued evolution of our brand. It’s come so far in just one year. That is what makes this whole experience special. It really gives me goosebumps!
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Getting involved BUSINESS CONNECT update With more than a dozen group webinars, hundreds of emails, and calls under their belts in recent months, the Business Connect team’s September goal is to open the microphone and let the suppliers lead the conversation during a two-day series of virtual meet and greets. September’s virtual networking events are designed to strengthen the sense of community among Business Connect’s 200+ members, and create an opportunity for them to meet and learn more about each other. The events will encourage the development of supportive relationships that encourage vendors to share local market knowledge and build a support network that amplifies the robust skillsets of the Tampa business community. The sessions will also give suppliers an opportunity to get to know their Business Connect team in a new way. The networking events are important because an integral part of Business Connect’s legacy will be driven by the relationships between the local diverse business owners who are introduced through the program and continue to work together and support each other post-Super Bowl. For more information on the Super Bowl LV Business Connect Program: LaKendria Robinson, Director of Business Connect & Community Outreach Email: BusinessConnect@TampaBayLV.com
COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Registration open! We are looking for individuals who are friendly, reliable, passionate, team-oriented and eager to show off tampa Bay during super bowl lv week! ABOUT THE TAMPA BAY SUPER BOWL LV COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: In 2021, the Super Bowl is set to return to the Tampa Bay community for the fifth time. As with all major events, the Super Bowl LV Host Committee, Tampa Bay Sports Commission and NFL will rely heavily on the volunteer and community support to help execute and elevate the overall event. This is your opportunity to assist with an incredible week of Super Bowl fun. A multitude of volunteer shifts will be available throughout the championship week.
REGISTER TODAY!
FAQ’S
During these unprecedented times, members of #TeamTampaBay are coming together like never before to help raise up our community. Today, we are launching our virtual #TampaBayLV Game Ball campaign to recognize and honor the selfless individuals and organizations that are putting our community first. Game balls are traditionally given in sports to award MVP’s, great leadership or outstanding performances. Help us SHARE THE LOVE and deliver virtual game balls to deserving recipients by following us on social and by submitting nominations using our hashtag, #SHARETBLV, as we honor our hometown heroes for their generous acts of kindness.
How to nominate community MVP’s 1. Help identify individuals and organizations that are out helping by going above and beyond during these unprecedented times. 2. Share their story on Twitter and tag @TampaBayLV and #SHARETBLV, or... 3. Reply or comment to an already shared story by tagging @TampaBayLV and using #SHARETBLV.
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Team Tampa Bay’s take COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
By: Carmen Vitali Buccaneers Staff Writer @CarmieV
FOR THE 2020 BUCS, SBLV MEANS MAKING HISTORY Any Super Bowl season would be a historic season for a franchise that last appeared in the game in 2003, but should they end up there this February, the Buccaneers will have done something that has never been done in the history of the NFL.
The Super Bowl is the goal. There have been no qualms about that this season, or really, any other season. That’s every team’s goal every year, after all. But in 2020, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that goal feels a little more urgent. The Bucs rocked the NFL boat this offseason with the signing of future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady – and the waves kept coming. A month later, they’d trade for Brady’s buddy in tight end Rob Gronkowski, after luring the fellow future Hall of Famer out of retirement first. The moves turned an already upside-down world in 2020 on its head, which I think means it put Tampa Bay right side up. At least, it sure feels like it with a guy like Brady steering the ship. In the midst of a global pandemic that has changed everything around us, football has remained constant – the North Star, if you will. The Buccaneers entered training camp relatively on schedule with fans already hyped up on what they could be. Then came another wave of additions beginning with the splash signing of veteran running back LeSean McCoy, who himself has a case for Canton. And they still weren’t done. Not only did McCoy jump on board, but so did former Jaguars’ running back Leonard Fournette, who is coming off a 1,000-yard season, one of two in his three-year career so far, at the ripe age of 25. Oh, and then the Bucs threw in another recent first rounder when they signed quarterback Josh Rosen to the practice squad, just for good measure. 7 TAMPABAYLV.COM
Call it the Brady effect, call it whatever you want, but the Bucs have quite the Krewe on deck with one goal in mind: get to the Super Bowl. Only, this time, it would be a feat unlike any other should the Bucs manage it. Tampa is playing host to Super Bowl LV this year and as I’m sure you’ve heard, no team has ever played in the big game with homefield advantage. For this team, led by this quarterback, the opportunity to do something that has never been done in the history of this storied league, cannot be understated. The Bucs are all in. “Tom is a proven champion who has achieved greatness on the field because he demands the best out of himself and his teammates,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht when the team signed Brady back in March. “I’ve known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has. He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organization.” Training camp has proved the best example so far of Brady’s impact, along with the impact of the other experienced players the Buccaneers acquired ahead of the regular season. Despite being in an entirely new system, Brady has taken command of his teammates and led one of the most intense preseasons the Bucs have seen in a long time, even with all the restrictions in place. There is an offensive arsenal at Brady’s disposal with the likes of wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, tight ends O.J. Howard and Cam Brate (in addition to Gronk) and the running back room including the aforementioned two players along with third-year Buccaneer Ronald Jones. Plus, a solid offensive line that boasts one of the best tackles of the 2020 draft anchoring its right side in Tristan Wirfs. But where the Bucs have splashy new toys on offense, they have continuity and experience on the other side of the ball. Tampa Bay’s defense returned all of its starting front seven and picked up right where they left off at the end of last year, after they had made tremendous strides from the start of 2019. “We didn’t get enough turnovers and we turned it over way too many times and if we corrected that, talent will not be an issue,” said Arians comparing last year to this one. “I don’t think talent will be the issue whether we make the playoffs or not. Now the Super Bowl, there’s some luck that comes with that, like staying healthy and some other things. But talent will not be an issue to keep us out the playoffs, no.” The greatest quarterback of all time coupled with a “No risk-it, no biscuit” coach, the best defense Tampa Bay has seen in over a decade and Super Bowl LV right in their backyard. It seems like the perfect storm brewing in Tampa Bay. It’s time to Raise the Flags, Bucs fans. The 2020 season is here.
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The Tampa Bay 55 Podcast Long before the teams arrive at Raymond James Stadium, countless hours of work are dedicated to making the big game and the amazing spectacle that accompanies it an overwhelming success! Tampa Bay 55, a new podcast, is YOUR exclusive all-access behind-the-scenes pass, with the deal makers, hand shakers, celebrities, athletes and more. The podcast is hosted by Ryan Bass, anchor at 10 Tampa Bay, WTSP -- the CBS affiliated television station in the Tampa Bay area and Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and president/CEO of the Super Bowl LV Host Committee. They will be joined by special guests weekly as we countdown to the main event in the heart of Florida’s gorgeous west coast! New episodes will be released weekly. Super Bowl LV will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
New on the pod: Episode 31: » Nicki Ewell, Director of Events for the NFL Episode 32: » Jeff Attinella, goalkeeper for the portland timbers Episode 33: » Peter O’reilly, Executive vice president of club business & league events for the NFL episode 34: » Jenna Grooms, Director of Host Committee events for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee
Click the icon to listen!
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In the Media
See what people are saying about #TampaBayLV on social media! Tag us and use the hashtag, #TampaBayLV, to show your support for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Maybe you could end up being showcased in TOUCHDOWN Tampa Bay, too!
Follow Our Flow @TAMPABAYLV
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