In the face of a lagging economy, the business of the Super Bowl isn't bogged down. The NFL Super Bowl outlet, opened in November next to WestShore Plaza, stood nearly empty Tuesday morning, two days after Pittsburgh beat Arizona, and people still streamed in. Where once there were two wide rooms full of merchandise, now there is only one, with a depleted selection of T-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and pennants. ...more

February 3, 2009

Police arrested a South Carolina man on Monday, accusing him of selling unauthorized NFL merchandise at Raymond James Stadium. Travis Collins, 27, was released from a Hillsborough County jail this morning on $2,000 bail. He is charged with felony vending of counterfeit goods, records show. ...more

February 3, 2009

Watching Mike Tomlin now, it almost seems funny to remember how many eyebrows were raised two years ago when Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney made him the surprise choice as the team's new head coach. There were no doubt many of the same concerns about Tomlin then as there are now about his close friend, Raheem Morris. Was he ready? He had only one season as a defensive coordinator (with Minnesota) after spending five seasons as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive backfield coach. ...more

February 2, 2009

The National Football League's multibillion-dollar celebration of its own opulence has gained a pervasive hold on American life since it came into existence 43 years ago. ...more

February 1, 2009

Taxpayers will foot the bill for providing extra police and fire coverage at Super Bowl XLIII to make sure it goes off without any hitches. ...more

February 1, 2009

TAMPA Tampa community leaders have pitched the Super Bowl as a way to celebrate the area's people, attractions and tropical quality of life in front of a worldwide audience. ...more

February 1, 2009

Five Funky Facts 1. People might think Green Bay or Chicago is the oldest pro football franchise, but the Cardinals were founded in 1898 and in 1920 became a charter member of the National Football League, known then as the American Professional Football Association. The Cardinals are America's oldest professional football franchise still in existence. ...more

January 31, 2009

Super Bowl Week is about to get spicy with the Taste of the NFL event at Tropicana Field. ...more

January 31, 2009

Willis McGahee of the Baltimore Ravens circled out of the backfield late in the AFC Championship Game this month and sprinted downfield as a pass receiver. As the ball came toward him, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark read the play and rushed at full speed toward McGahee. ...more

January 31, 2009

When Barbara Casey, spokeswoman for the Tampa Sports Authority, answers the telephone these busy times at Raymond James Stadium and declares, "Home of Super Bowl 43, Tampa," she no longer must add, "Florida." ...more

January 31, 2009