Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis
By 5 live Sport commentator Darren Fletcher:
The Super Bowl is described as the greatest show on earth. These days it's a week-long event. I arrived in Indianapolis ahead of media day which took place at Lucas Oils Stadium on Tuesday.
Hundreds of journalists from all over the world are there with every player from the New England Patriots and New York Giants available for interview. To highlight how mad Super Bowl week has become, over 7000 fans bought tickets to watch the players speak to the press and listen to their views on big screens and mini radios.
Not everyone's idea of a good time but extremely popular with the fans who are clearly NFL crazy.
I wonder what Sir Alex Ferguson would think of being asked questions by a man dressed as a superhero - it's something Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick had to deal with on media day.
Indianapolis appears to be an ideal venue for the big game. Everything is based in the centre of the city - the stadium is within walking distance of the main attractions and, after the ice and snow in Dallas last year, the unseasonably warm weather has added to the appeal.
Even if the weather changes it won't be a factor on Super Bowl Sunday. Lucas Oils Stadium will have its retractable roof closed with around 70,000 fans packed inside. Tickets for the big game are changing hands for as much as $16,000. It's a game everyone wants to see.
The two teams met four years ago in Super Bowl 42. Eli Manning and the Giants won a dramatic game. The Las Vegas tipsters have the Patriots slight favourites for the re-match but it's really too close to call.
You can hear all the build-up and commentary of Super Bowl XLVI from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday night from 10pm on 5 live sports extra.
Darren Fletcher is a 5 live Sport commentator.
Comment number 1.
At 15:53 2nd Feb 2012, carrie wrote:What a fantastic wheeze for Darren. Why can't this be taken from another network, or is it, perhaps, hopefully, shared with another broadcaster?
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Comment number 2.
At 19:41 2nd Feb 2012, zelda wrote:Can I go and watch Darren doesn't spend too much in expenses?
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Comment number 3.
At 20:02 2nd Feb 2012, UnallocatedB wrote:Yeah! How dare 5live cover a big sporting event! Surely you could save a few bob covering cheese rolling or toe wrestling instead?
And while we're at it, I will not rest until it is ME whom signs ALL bbc expense forms!! Can't trust ya as far as I can throw ya!*
*Another sport you should be covering, instead of one that people have actually heard of.
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Comment number 4.
At 13:02 4th Feb 2012, Gary wrote:Anyone else being put off watching by the BBC's awful ad for the super bowl? I've been really looking forward to it but that ad is just turning me right off.
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Comment number 5.
At 20:44 5th Feb 2012, J_Dreamer wrote:So can't wait to watch the game and hopefully listen to the alternative commentary. Brady and Fletch instead of the horrible international feed commentary from the US network.
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Comment number 6.
At 08:41 6th Feb 2012, carrie wrote:Why couldn't normal programmes be on and this game be on 5LSE?
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