Our Lunch with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

South Florida weather in the winter season: check. A gathering of over 500 attendees at the Host Committee Kickoff Luncheon: check. A keynote address by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: check plus.

With just two months away from the largest televised sporting event in America, we hosted a luncheon to celebrate the coming of Pro Bowl 2010 and Super Bowl XLIV to South Florida. With the setting of a cool 78-degree sunny day, it was great time to chat about football at Land Shark Stadium.

Some high-profile personalities in attendance included Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee, Minority Owner of the Miami Dolphins Wayne Huizenga, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, along with various local public representatives and Miami Dolphins alumni.

The event was emceed by none other than former Miami Dolphin great Kim Bokamper and Telemundo news anchor Vanessa Huac. It brought the elements of football experience and Hispanic flavor into the festivities as they recapped the upcoming events leading up to Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. After lunch, Kim and Vanessa introduced Super Bowl Host Committee Chairman Rodney Barreto for some brief words of motivation. Thereafter, Mr. Barreto set the stage for the person everyone had been waiting for, Roger Goodell.

Mr. Goodell engaged the audience with an opening speech followed by an interactive Q&A session, wherein audience members submitted questions and the NFL Commissioner chose a few to answer. One question inquired into what South Florida needs to do in order to host future Super Bowls. With a detailed response, Mr. Goodell stated some factors that the NFL looks at when considering potential Super Bowl sites, including what the host city stadiums have to offer. He hinted at regions like Dallas and Indianapolis, which have recently "raised the bar" in stadium technology and accommodation. After all, the stadium is the NFL's stage to showcase the most important game of the season.

Before departing, Mr. Goodell briefly addressed a few members of the media and bid farewell to the audience. It marked the end to an exciting day and a precursor to the prime time events soon to come.

Stay tuned for pictures from the kickoff luncheon. They will be posted to our photo album at SouthFloridaSuperBowl.com with a direct link posted on here as well.