Even the Super Bowl—one of America's greatest standard bearers of extravagance and over-the-top commercialism—isn't immune from the recession blues.
No, they're not having any trouble selling those $3 million commercial slots, but it's looking like the week-long party in Tampa Bay is going to be a little less super than usual this year, with more than a few of the glitziest party planners giving it a pass.
The Washington Post reports Playboy and Sports Illustrated have both canceled their annual Super Bowl bashes while several talent agencies have done the same, and a celebrity golf tournament organized by two Tampa Bay Buccaneers players was canceled because of a lack of sponsors.
The NFL still expects 100,000 gridiron fans to make the trek to Tampa for Sunday's big game between Pittsburgh and Arizona. But don't expect any Britney/Justin bubble-era pop music at halftime—this year's show features the appropriately recession-friendly sounds of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Are you headed to the Super Bowl? Let us know how you're getting there or how you're celebrating.
· Economy Has NFL Feeling Less Than Super [WaPo]
· Super Bowl travel coverage [Jaunted]
Photo: [NFL] ]]>
