With just about six months to go to Super Bowl XLV some big news for Fort Worth -- ESPN will host its coverage from Sundance Square.
Traditionally the sports network hosts 80-plus hours of coverage during Super Bowl week, which will give the popular downtown destination some national and international exposure.
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief and Ed Bass, the developer of Sundance Square, made the exciting announcement Tuesday morning. "I cannot think of a better partner for Fort Worth than ESPN," said Mayor Mike Moncrief. "Super Bowl week is going to be very special for our citizens and ESPN will add to the excitement. We welcome the ESPN team into our family."
Now, of course, for those visitors who have never been to Texas, Fort Worth does offer what some may expect of the Lone Star State. The Fort Worth Stockyards, the legendary cattle drive and the Cowgirl Museum Hall of Fame, just to name a few.
ESPN will set up a studio, a radio booth and what is being called a demonstration field in the Chisholm Trial mural parking lot in the heart of Sundance Square. Production and equipment trucks will sit adjacent near the popular bar, the Flying Saucer.
Some of the shows which will highlight the area include daily editions of Mike & Mike in the Morning, Sports Center and NFL Live. "This is one of the biggest broadcasting opportunities we have ever hosted," said Ed Bass, Sundance Square developer. "As the cultural heart of the city, Sundance Square offers the perfect location, availability of space, and built-in audience where ESPN can interact with our visitors. ESPN will benefit from this dynamic urban environment and Fort Worth will be showcased as a vibrant, authentic, and diverse city to millions of people across the country."
Cowtown is already the host city of the AFC champions, who will practice at TCU's facilities. And the Fort Worth Convention center will host Taste of the NFL which happens before Super Bowl Sunday. The set will be sheltered for obvious reasons and ESPN will begin broadcasting on Jan. 31.
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Super Bowl XLV will be at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Feb. 6, Fox is the official broadcaster of the football game.
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