N.J. expecting ‘significant’ gain from hosting 2014 Super Bowl

Even as excitement builds up for Sunday’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, New Jersey business leaders are looking ahead to 2014 when the game will played at Met Life Stadium at the Meadowlands.

Most business leaders anticipate an economic touchdown for the state.

More than half of the members of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce say the Super Bowl will enhance the state’s reputation as a place to do business.

Chamber President Tom Bracken is surprised that 40 percent of business executives surveyed believe it won’t make a difference.

“Having the Super Bowl here and having the media and the huge extent of the media that will focus on New Jersey and I’m sure cast it in a positive light, I just don’t understand how that wouldn’t translate to improving our state’s reputation,” he said.

Gov. Chris Christie is anticipating significant economic activity in New Jersey.

“The good news is that New Jersey has done really well in terms of getting the same number and quality of events where the pregame tailgate parties for the NFL and the other major organizations will all be held in New Jersey,” Christie said. “So we’re getting a good share of the economic activity that goes along with the Super Bowl, a fair share with New York.”

What’s more, Bracken says, an improved perception of New Jersey could attract more people to the state.

He said he’s expecting the big game at the Meadowlands will have widespread economic benefits.

“I have no idea what the number is going to be, but I know from reading the statistics about other cities that have had this it has a big geographical reach by people taking hotel rooms and having parties,” Bracken said. “I think New Jersey will be no different than that.”