New York/New Jersey lands 2014 Super Bowl
IRVING, Texas, May 25 (UPI) -- New York and New Jersey will play host to the 2014 Super Bowl at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., NFL officials said Tuesday.
The decision, which was made after four rounds of voting among NFL owners, represents the first time the Super Bowl will played outdoors in a cold-weather city.
The new $1.6 billion stadium, which will make its debut as the home of the Giants and the Jets this fall after opening last month, seats 82,500.
Team owners meeting Tuesday in suburban Dallas opted for New York/New Jersey over South Florida (Miami) and Tampa Bay as the site of Super Bowl XLVIII on the fourth round of voting.
After South Florida was eliminated, neither New York/New Jersey nor Tampa Bay received the required 24 votes in round three, which set up a simple majority vote in the final poll.
"To get the support of the other 30 owners we got today is an amazing experience," said Giants Chairman and Executive Vice President Steve Tisch. "It's absolutely fantastic for everybody that loves to watch NFL football around the world."
Lightning name Yzerman GM
TAMPA, Fla., May 25 (UPI) -- Former Detroit Red Wings great Steve Yzerman has been named general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, team officials said Tuesday.
Yzerman, who has been vice president of hockey operations for the Red Wings, replaces the fired Brian Lawton as the Lightning's on-ice architect.
Yzerman starred for Detroit for 22 years, retiring after the 2005-06 season as the sixth all-time leading scorer in NHL history. He served this year as general manager for Team Canada, which took the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
"It was a very difficult decision to leave the Red Wings," Yzerman said. "I was very safe there. Early in retirement, being involved with Team Canada and the Olympics reaffirmed that this was a career path I wanted to take.
Avalanche signs D Foote to 1-year deal
DENVER, May 25 (UPI) -- Colorado Avalanche defenseman and team captain Adam Foote has signed a one-year contract for next season, the team said Tuesday.
The deal, whose terms weren't disclosed, will allow the 38-year-old veteran to return for a 17th season with the Colorado/Quebec franchise, and his 19th in the NHL.
"Adam's veteran leadership has been and will continue to be a big part of our success," said Avalanche General Manager and Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. "He provided stability last season and set an example for our young players right from the start of training camp."
Foote, drafted in the second round in 1989 by the Quebec Nordiques, is the franchise leader among defenseman in games played (920) and playoff games (170). He was a member of Colorado's 1996 and 2001 Stanley Cup championship teams.
Foote played two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"This is a long-term project for me, building a Stanley Cup team takes time," he said. "I don't have a notion that I can wave a magic wand and make the Lightning a Stanley Cup contender."
Tampa Bay finished 34-36-12 this season, missing the NHL playoffs for the third straight year.
Austin, Texas, to host Formula One racing
AUSTIN, Texas, May 25 (UPI) -- Formula One racing is returning to the United States on a specially designed track in Austin, Texas, racing officials said Tuesday.
The United States Grand Prix will be held from 2012 through 2021 in the Texas capital and for the first time will run at a new facility specifically designed for Formula One racing, U.S. promoter Full Throttle Productions LP announced.
"All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, as a prestigious global event," said Full Throttle Managing Partner Tavo Hellmund.
"For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event," added Bernie Ecclestone, chief executive officer of the Formula One Group.
Formula One races were held in the United States from 2000 to 2007 in Indianapolis, where a race course was built inside the oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Temporary street circuits have also been set up in cities including Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix and Long Beach, Calif.
