Hall of Fame luncheon set for the Columbia

The Fourth Annual Super Bowl Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon is set for noon on Jan. 30 at Ybor City's historic Columbia Restaurant. Merlin Olson will host the event, and confirmed guests include Bob Griese, Roger Staubach, Thurman Thomas and Lee Roy Selmon. Only 175 tickets -- at $1,250 a pop -- will be sold. A Hall-of-Famer will be seated at each table, and ticket holders will receive a limited edition Dick Butkus autographed lithograph. Sponsorship opportunities are $25,000, $50,000 (includes two Super Bowl tickets) and $150,000 (includes four game tickets.) For more information, click here.

Brooks & Dunn Golf Classic cancelled

Add another big Super Bowl party to the list of events cancelled due to the economy.

The Brooks & Dunn Inaugural Golf Classic, a celebrity party and golf tournament hosted by Bucs Warrick Dunn and Derrick Brooks and scheduled for Jan. 29-30 in Tampa, has been cancelled, officials with both players' charities said Monday.

Natalie Boe, executive director for the Warrick Dunn Foundation, said -- and stop us if you've heard this one before -- the dismal economy was a definite factor.

"We had been fortunate in securing just over $100,000 in sponsorships; however, we were still short of our goal of $200,000," Boe said. "Their concern was that with only six weeks to go before the event -- and two of those weeks being holiday weeks, with a lot of people not having their budgets reevaluated for January -- we were afraid we wouldn't get that commitment for the event."

Boe added that it had been difficult to line up celebrities to jump on board, which made it tough to justify the $10,000-per-foursome price tag for sponsors. She said sponsors and people who had signed up to play in the Brooks & Dunn tournament have already been notified about refunds.

Still, both Buccaneers will be visible around town at other fundraisers during Super Bowl week.

Dunn -- who famously builds homes for the underprivileged through his Warrick Dunn Foundation -- will be part of SuperBuild, an NFL-endorsed event designed to erect six Habitat for Humanity homes in the days leading up to the game. Get details on how to donate at habitatsuperbuild.com.

And Brooks will be part of the Ebony Fashion Fair, a fashion show at the Tampa Theatre that will benefit his Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Auxiliary Rites of Passage Program. Tickets to that event are $35; get more details at derrickbrookscharities.org. Brooks is also slated to attend the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast on Super Bowl Sunday at the USF Sun Dome. Tickets to that event are just $20 at superbowlbreakfast.com.

And both players are still moving ahead with their respective annual golf tournaments -- Dunn's will take place in April, and Brooks will hold his June 7-8 at Old Memorial Golf Course.

Ditka to host shooting event

Mike Ditka is hosting the first annual Gridiron Greats Sporting Clay Event at Tenoroc Shooting Center in Lakeland on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 8 a.m. The event, one of four that the Gridiron Greats are sponsoring during Super Bowl XLIII week in Tampa, will feature NFL greats paired with a team of local shooters.

Among those already committed to participate are Michael Irvin, Eric Dickerson, Billy Kilmer, Deacon Jones, Steve McMichael, Dan Hampton, Jack Youngblood, Conrad Dobler, Jim Marshall, Richard Dent and Randy Cross. (What? No Plaxico Burress?)

The event will also feature a shooting demonstration and clinic with National and World Sporting Clay Champion Scott Robertson.

Also included at the event: a breakfast hosted by Ditka as well as a cigar and scotch post event where they can mingle with all of the NFL greats. Each participant also receives a luxury gift package.

Shooters can participate for a donation of $2,400 (per foursome of shooters) or $600 (individual shooter). Donations go to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable and humanitarian organization and is tax deductible.   

To register or for information on sponsorship opportunities, call 1-866-242-4164.

Ready for Snoop Bowl?

Tickets for Snoop Bowl VII go on sale this morning. The annual youth football game takes place Jan. 31, Gaither High School in Tampa. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

Rapper Snoop Dogg will pit his Los Angeles youth team against an All-Star team from Tampa coached by former Bucs star Mike Alstott. Other NFL players will serve as assistant coaches. The game usually attracts celebrities in the crowd as well.

General admission tickets are $15 and VIP tickets are $40 and are available online at www.capture-events.com. Proceeds benefit the Mike Alstott Family Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Children’s Cancer Center and All Sports Community Service. The game also will be broadcast on Bright House Sports Network.

Rihanna, Fall Out Bay to headline Bash

Rihanna, Fall Out Boy and Lifehouse will headline the first night of the NFL Pepsi Super Bowl Bash on Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Ford Amphitheatre, the NFL announced today.

Jerry O'Connell is set to host day one of the concert, which will air live on VH1. On Friday, Enrique Iglesias and Belanova will headline the second night of the Bash. That show will be taped and air Saturday, Jan. 31 on Telemundo.

Tickets are already on sale at Ticketmaster.com and are priced at $20, $35 and $45. For more information, visit the Super Bowl Bash's website.

How the Super Bowl contenders stack up

Division winners earn the top four seeds in each conference, and two teams get wild-card berths. The contenders with division and conference records:

NFC
If the playoffs started today:
Team (Div.), All, Div., NFC
1. NY Giants (E), 12-3, 4-2, 9-2
2. Carolina (S)-y, 11-4, 3-2, 7-4
3. Minnesota (N),  9-6, 4-2, 7-4
4. Arizona (W),     8-7, 5-0, 6-5
Wild card
5. Atlanta-y,    10-5, 3-3, 7-4
6. Dallas,           9-6, 3-2, 7-4
In the hunt
Tampa Bay,     9-6, 3-3, 8-4
Chicago,          8-6, 3-2, 6-5
Philadelphia,    8-6-1, 1-4, 6-5

y-clinched playoff spot; Teams in bold clinched division

Division-by-division
SOUTH: Carolina lost a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC but still just need a win or a Falcons loss to wrap up the division. Atlanta’s win clinched at least a wild-card spot. Tampa Bay needs a win over Oakland and a Dallas loss at Philadelphia to make the postseason.
EAST: The Giants clinched the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs by defeating Carolina. Dallas claims the final NFC spot with a win at Philadelphia; the Eagles need a win and lots of help to qualify.
NORTH: Minnesota clinches the division title and the No. 3 seed if Chicago loses to Green Bay tonight, or if Minnesota beats the Giants on Sunday. Chicago wins the division with two wins plus a Minnesota loss to the Giants.
WEST: Arizona has clinched the division and hosts a wild-card game Jan.  3 or Jan.  4.
Remaining schedules
N.Y. Giants: at Minnesota
Carolina: at New Orleans
Minnesota: N.Y .Giants
Arizona: Seattle
Tampa Bay: Oakland
Atlanta: St. Louis
Dallas: at Philadelphia
Chicago*: Green Bay, at Houston
Philadelphia: Dallas
*Plays Packers tonight

AFC
If the playoffs started today:
Team (Div.),        All, Div., AFC
1. Tennessee (S), 13-2, 4-1, 9-2
2. Pittsburgh (N), 11-4, 5-0, 9-2
3. Miami (E),       10-5, 3-2, 7-4
4. Denver (W),     8-7, 3-2, 5-6
Wild card
5. Indianapolis-y,  11-4, 3-2, 9-2
6. Baltimore,       10-5, 4-2, 7-4
In the hunt
New England,       10-5, 3-2, 6-5
N.Y. Jets,             9-6, 4-1, 7-4

Teams in bold clinched division; y-clinched playoff spot
Division-by-division
EAST: Miami clinches the division with a win over the Jets. Wins by the Jets and New England give New England the division title and the No. 3 seed.
NORTH: Pittsburgh owns the No. 2 seed after losing to Tennessee. Baltimore clinches the final wild-card spot with a win over Jacksonville.
SOUTH: Tennessee wrapped up the top seed and homefield throughout the playoffs by defeating Pittsburgh. Indianapolis has clinched the No. 5 seed.
WEST: Denver plays Sunday night at San Diego with the division championship on the line.
Remaining schedules
Tennessee: at Indianapolis
Pittsburgh: Cleveland
N.Y. Jets: Miami
Denver: at San Diego
Indianapolis: Tennessee.
Baltimore: Jacksonville
Miami: at N.Y. Jets
New England: at Buffalo
Times staff

Snoop Bowl, take 2: The game moves to Gaither

The Doggfather, it seems, has had a change of heart.

The Snoop Bowl, Snoop Dogg's annual youth charity football game, has moved from Jesuit High School to Gaither High School, organizers said this week.

“It was just an opportunity for us to have a little bit bigger venue," event organizer Thaddeus Bullard said, citing Jesuit's proximity to Raymond James Stadium and the NFL Experience as a possible distraction.

"Jesuit’s a great venue, but we want to be able to have the focus solely on the kids.  ... I’m very grateful that Jesuit accepted our offer; I’m just as ecstatic about doing it at Gaither as well."

The event will take place at 1 p.m. Jan. 31. It'll be the highlight of a four-day Super Bowl extravaganza for the rapper's Snoop Dogg All-Stars pee-wee team.

What's more, Mike Alstott has also signed on as a celebrity coach in the game. Other players scheduled to attend include Raheem Brock, Bryant McKinnie, Jared Allen, Andre Johnson and the Bucs’ Michael Clayton, Kevin Carter and Stylez G. “Don’t call me Greg” White.

The Bucs' Earnest Graham had previously been lined up as a coach, but is now eyeing other charitable opportunities for Super Bowl week, said Steve Brickner, president of Graham's charity, Earnest Giving.

Bullard said there will be a tryout for local youth football players who want to play in the game. It will take place early in the morning on Jan. 10 at Gather. No other details are available yet; Bullard said a Snoop Bowl Web site should be up and running with more information in the next week or so. Check back here for an update.

Photo: AP 

Win a ticket to the Leather and Laces party!

Some details are coming out about Leather and Laces, the celebrity Super Bowl party co-hosted by Carmen Electra, Jenny McCarthy and Kim Kardashian Jan. 30 at Jackson’s Bistro in Tampa.

The event will feature a performance by celeb DJ Tendaji Lathan and Cirque USA, a Cirque du Soleil-style troupe of jugglers, contortionists, and performers. Tickets are $275 in advance for an open liquor, beer and wine bar, and $650 for an all-access VIP pass that also includes hors d’oeuvres and a sushi bar.

You can also enter the Leather and Laces “Hottie of the Year” competition, where the prizes include luxe hotel accommodations, Hollywood-quality hair and makeup, a professional photo shoot and a $5,000 swag bag — not to mention, of course, free tickets and total VIP treatment at the party itself.

A while back, we told you the party would benefit Generation Rescue, the autism charity that McCarthy and main squeeze Jim Carrey support.

Get more details at leatherandlaces.com.

(Photos: Electra, AP; McCarthy and Kardashian, Getty Images)

Superagent Leigh Steinberg coming to the zoo

For more than two decades, uber-sports agent Leigh Steinberg has thrown one of the most lavish — and most exclusive — Super Bowl parties around.

Steinberg’s 23rd annual Super Bowl party will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at Lowry Park Zoo, organizers said Thursday.

Jeremiah Donati, Steinberg’s general counsel and director of special projects, said the agent’s people had narrowed the field down to about a half-dozen venues, including Sunken Gardens, the USF Botanical Gardens and the Florida Aquarium.

In the end, the zoo was a perfect fit for the party, which, for the second straight year, will have an eco-friendly theme.

Last year in Arizona, organizers accepted recyclable electronics and rolled out a “green carpet” at the VIP entrance. They’ll also be looking for a local environmental charity to be among the party’s beneficiaries.

Other, less earth-centric highlights of last year’s event included interactive games, a massage cabana and oxygen bar.

The event is players-only (as in players on the field, players off the field, and players in Hollywood). In 2001, the last time the game was in town, Steinberg’s party was held at Busch Gardens. ’N Sync were guests.

That he keeps such company shouldn’t come as a surprise — Steinberg, after all, was the inspiration for Jerry Maguire.

(Photo: Steinberg and a friend at his 2005 Super Bowl party in Jacksonville. Getty Images.)

How the Super Bowl contenders stack up

Division winners earn the top four seeds in each conference, and two teams get wild-card berths. The contenders with division and conference records:

NFC

If the playoffs started today:

Team (Div.), All, Div., NFC

1. NY Giants (E), 11-3, 4-2, 8-2

2. Carolina (S), 11-3, 3-2, 7-3

3. Minnesota (N), 9-5, 4-2, 7-3

4. Arizona (W), 8-6, 5-0, 6-5

Wild card

5. Dallas, 9-5, 3-2, 7-4

6. Tampa Bay, 9-5, 3-3, 8-4

In the hunt

Atlanta, 9-5, 3-3, 6-4

Chicago, 8-6, 3-2, 6-5

y-Philadelphia, 7-5-1, 1-3, 6-4

y-plays tonight vs. Cleveland

Teams in bold clinched division

Division-by-division

SOUTH: Carolina extended its division lead to two games over Tampa Bay and Atlanta. The Falcons’ win over the Bucs cost Tampa Bay the No.  5 seed for now because of Dallas’ win. The Bucs lead the Falcons for the final spot based on conference record, the fourth tiebreaker.

EAST: The Giants remain the No.  1 seed despite losing in Dallas. The Cowboys jumped ahead of the Bucs and into the No. 5 seed because of their victory over Tampa Bay.

NORTH: Minnesota’s win at Arizona kept it a game up on the Bears in the division and ahead of the Cards for the No.  3 seed.

WEST: Arizona has clinched the division championship and will host a wild-card game Jan.  3 or Jan.  4.

Remaining schedules

NY Giants: Carolina, at Minnesota

Carolina: at NY Giants, at New Orleans

Minnesota: Atlanta, NY Giants

Arizona: at New England, Seattle

Tampa Bay: San Diego, Oakland

Atlanta: at Minnesota, St. Louis

Dallas: Baltimore, at Philadelphia

Chicago: Green Bay, at Houston

Philadelphia*: at Washingon, Dallas

* Plays Cleveland tonight

AFC

If the playoffs started today:

Team (Div.), All, Div., AFC

1. Tennessee (S), 12-2, 4-1, 8-2

2. Pittsburgh (N), 11-3, 5-0, 9-1

3. NY Jets (E), 9-5, 4-1, 7-4

4. Denver (W), 8-6, 3-2, 5-5

Wild card

5. Indianapolis, 10-4, 2-2, 8-2

6. Baltimore, 9-5, 4-2, 7-4

In the hunt

Miami, 9-5, 3-2, 6-4

New England, 9-5, 3-2, 6-5

Teams in bold clinched division

Division-by-division

EAST: The Jets maintained their hold on the division lead, edging Miami and New England based on a better head-to-head record among the three. New York’s win and Denver’s loss let the Jets jump into the No.  3 seed. The Dolphins hold the edge over New England in record against common opponents (8-1 vs. 7-2).

NORTH: Pittsburgh clinched the division title and a first-round bye with its win over the Ravens. Baltimore owns the No.  6 seed because of its head-to-head win over the Dolphins.

SOUTH: The Titans’ second loss of the season wasn’t enough to knock them out of the No.  1 seed. The Colts’ seventh straight win kept them in the No.  5 spot.

WEST: Denver has a two-game lead over the Chargers with two to play, but has not clinched the division.

Remaining schedules

Tennessee: Pittsburgh, at Indy

Pittsburgh: at Tennessee, Cleveland

N.Y. Jets: at Seattle, Miami

Denver: Buffalo, at San Diego

Indianapolis: at Jacksonville, Tenn.

Baltimore: at Dallas, Jacksonville

Miami: at Kansas City, at NY Jets

New England: Arizona, at Buffalo

Times staff

NFL preps a Super Bowl party in ... Orlando?

The NFL will hold a ritzy Super Bowl gala Jan. 31 for several thousand of its corporate sponsors — not in Tampa, but in Orlando.

The event, which is not open to the public, will take place at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the event, which takes place each year, is expected to draw some 3,200 people — about 800 fewer than in years past.

Why Orlando? A good chunk of the rooms guaranteed as part of the city's Super Bowl bid are in Orlando, and many sponsors will be staying in Orlando.

And just to clarify: This is not the same event as the free, open-to-the-public "Super Bowl Saturday Night" that the NFL had discussed holding Jan. 31 at Vinoy Waterfront Park in St. Petersburg. This is a more exclusive bash, similar to the black-tie, invite-only Commissioner's Ball, which is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30 at the Tampa Convention Center. 

NFL to plant trees

More than 1,000 trees will take root in the Tampa Bay area as part of the NFL's environmental program. On Thursday, fifth- and sixth-graders from Shorecrest Preparatory School will  help plant nearly 400 trees along the McKay Creek Greenway in Pinellas County. On Tuesday, another 700 red mangroves are set to be planted along the Terra Ciera shoreline with the the help of Tampa Bay Watch.

The plantings are just two of a dozen different planting projects coordinated by the NFL for the Tampa Bay area in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. The projects range in size from individual trees to hundreds planted in environmentally senstive areas.

This is the fifth year urban forestry projects have been part of the NFL's overall environmental program, which also includes donations of leftover materials to nonprofits, recycling at major events, and the use of renewable energy to power the NFL Experience Football Theme Park.   

Want a pirate to come to your Super Bowl party?

Because nothing says Tampa more than Gasparilla krewes, members of the Inter-Krewe Council are partnering with companies and charities to add local color and history to their Super Bowl parties.

The council, which represents 57 krewes from the Krewe of Agustina of Aragon to the Krewe of Zingaro, is offering krewe members to serve as ambassadors at corporate parties, private events and other Super Bowl-related gatherings. Members will hand out beads, greet guests or talk about the Gasparilla krewe tradition. Of course, they’ll be decked out in their full krewe regalia.

Interested party hosts must fill out an application, which will be reviewed by the council and distributed to participating krewes. Depending on the party, a handful of krewe members, from the same krewe or different ones, will attend for free. Party host need only pay for the beads.

The ambassador program is an extension of the work many of the krewes do all year round. In addition to participating in local parades, krewes do charity work and promote Tampa at various events and venues.

To apply, contact Bill Hogan at bhogan@interkrewe.com or call him at (813) 727-9616.

-- Susan Thurston

(Times photo: Willie J. Allen Jr.)

How the Super Bowl contenders stack up

Division winners earn the top four seeds in each conference, and two teams get wild-card berths. The contenders with division and conference records:
NFC
If the playoffs started today:
Team (Div.) All Div. Con.
1. NY Giants (E) 11-2 4-1 8-1
2. Tampa Bay (S) 9-3 3-1 8-2
3. Minnesota (N) 8-5 4-2 6-3
4. Arizona (W) 8-5 5-0 6-4
Wild card
5. Carolina 9-3 2-2 6-3
6. Dallas 8-5 2-2 6-4
In the hunt
Atlanta 8-5 2-3 5-4
Philadelphia 7-5-1 1-3 6-4
Washington 7-6 2-3 6-4
Chicago 7-6 3-2 5-5
New Orleans 7-6 2-3 4-5
Teams in bold clinched division
Division-by-division
SOUTH: The New Orleans victory over the Falcons means the loser of tonight’s Bucs-Panthers game will occupy second place by themselves. The winner tonight takes sole possession of first and moves within a game of the Giants for the No.  1 seed.
EAST: Philadelphia’s win means the Giants will lead by a game over the winner of tonight’s Bucs-Panthers game. The Cowboys actually moved up a spot in the wild-card race because they didn’t lose to an NFC team and the Falcons did.
NORTH: The Vikings maintained their one-game lead over the Bears in the division race with their win over the lowly Lions. The Vikings own the NFC’s No.  3 playoff seed over the Cardinals because of a better conference record; those two meet next week.
WEST: Arizona finally wrapped up the division championship but might need help to avoid the No.  4 seed and a playoff journey that could include the loser of tonight’s Bucs-Panthers game followed by the top-seeded Giants.

AFC
If the playoffs started today:
Team (Div.) All Div. Con.
1. Tennessee (S) 12-1 4-0 8-1
2. Pittsburgh (N) 10-3 4-0 8-1
3. Denver (W) 8-5 3-2 5-5
4. N.Y. Jets (E) 8-5 3-1 6-4
Wild card
5. Indianapolis 9-4 2-2 8-2
6. Baltimore 9-4 4-1 7-3
In the hunt
Miami 8-5 3-2 6-4
New England 8-5 3-2 5-5

Teams in bold clinched division
Division-by-division
EAST: The Jets fell into a three-way tie with their loss to the 49ers and wins by the Patriots and Dolphins. The Jets hold the tiebreaker because of its record in games among the three (2-1 versus the Pats’ 2-2 and the Dolphins’ 1-2). The Dolphins hold the tiebreaker over New England with a better record against common opponents (6-1 vs. 5-2).
NORTH: Pittsburgh’s come-from-behind win over the Cowboys kept it two games ahead of the pack for the No. 2 seed. The Ravens stayed a game behind.
SOUTH: Tennessee wrapped up the division, clinched a bye and maintained its trek toward the AFC’s No.  1 playoff seed. The Colts’ sixth consecutive win solidified their hold on the No.  5 seed.
WEST: Denver kept its big lead over the Chargers. The Broncos jumped ahead of the Jets for the No.  3 seed thanks to last week’s win over New York.
Times staff

Danica Patrick hopes to show off her edge during the Super Bowl

Set your Tivo now. Danica Patrick has filmed two new commercials for the Super Bowl she describes as "edgy." This one was so "edgy" that NBC censors wouldn't let it air in 2005. Prudes.

Patrick, an IndyCar driver, SI swimsuit model and the most-searched athlete on AOL in 2008, will again shill for GoDaddy.com in a first-half spot during Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1.

"We have two options and they're both absolutely … Go Daddy-esque," Go Daddy CEO and founder Bob Parsons said. "They are fun, edgy and slightly inappropriate; surely network censors will have a sense of humor, people could use a good laugh these days."

-- BRANT JAMES

NFL plans outreach events during Super Bowl week

The NFL Experience isn’t the only community-friendly event the league is sponsoring during Super Bowl week. Here are some other outreach initiatives the NFL has planned:

• One World Huddle, Jan. 26: Local students will gather to meet pen pals with whom they’ve exchanged letters, and mingle with NFL players.

• What Moves U School Visit, Jan. 27: The league’s NFL Play 60 youth fitness campaign will bring current and former players to local schools to help encourage healthy living.

• NFL Character Breakfast, Jan. 29: NFL players, Nickelodeon characters and the league’s online NFLRushZone will join in a special breakfast for 700 children grades K-8. Afterward, fifth- and sixth-graders will take part in fitness activities with the players.

• Youth Education Town Center Event, Jan. 29: The NFL’s YET program, targeting young people in at-risk neighborhoods, will award a $1 million gift to two YET centers in Mort Park and Jackson Heights in Tampa. NFL players, government officials and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be on hand.

The NFL hasn’t decided which local schools will be part of these events. Keep checking this blog for updates as they become available.

Are you (NFL) Experienced?

Tickets to the NFL Experience, the fan-friendliest part of any Super Bowl week, go on sale Wednesday at superbowl.com.

The 850,000-square-foot carnival of games, autograph sessions, giveaways and player appearances will run off and on from Jan. 24-Feb. 3 in a lot adjacent to Raymond James Stadium, NFL reps said Tuesday. Organizers expect more than 125,000 fans to attend.

Now in its 18th year, the NFL Experience has long been one of the best ways for families, especially locals, to get up close and personal with the hullaballoo of Super Bowl week without breaking the bank.

Among this year’s higlights:

• A slate of interactive games, including punt, pass and sprint contests, and a kids’ zone for children ages 3-10.

• Player and coach appearances and autograph sessions. No athletes have been annouced, but organizers expect the Bucs’ Warrick Dunn to be on hand (unless, of course, the Bucs are in the Super Bowl).

• A 30,000-square-foot football card and memorbilia show sponsored by Donruss.

• A mini-studio where you can film your own Coors Light “press conference” commercial and take it home with you.

• A “Kids Day” on Jan. 28, open to 2,000 contest-winning kids (see schedule, below). They’re trying to line up a special performer — Camp Rock star Demi Lovato is their top choice — but no contracts have been signed just yet.

• The return of “NFLX After Dark,” a Thursday-night party geared toward young adults that proved popular at last year’s game in Arizona.

If you're local, you might want to hit the first two days of the Experience, Jan. 24 and 25, before all the out-of-town crowds start pouring into Tampa.

Tickets are $18.50 for adults, $12.50 for children 12 and under. Tickets to NFLX After Dark are $10, as are parking permits. To purchase a ticket, visit superbowl.com or call (866) TIX-4NFL (849-4635). You must buy for a specific date and time slot. You can also purchase tickets at the gate. (Bank of America customers can receive a 20 percent discount on tickets purchased through Ticketmaster starting Jan. 1.)

Here’s the full schedule:

Saturday, Jan. 24: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 25: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 27: Closed, but the on-site Super Bowl store will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 28: Kids Day, open to select local kids, from 11 a.m. Details of how children can be selected have not yet been announced; keep watching this blog for updates.

Thursday, Jan. 29: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; NFLX After Dark runs 9 p.m. to midnight.

Friday, Jan. 30: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 31: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 1: 11 a.m. to kickoff; open only to Super Bowl ticketholders.

Monday, Feb. 2 and Tuesday, Feb. 3: On-site Super Bowl store will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Check out a video preview of the NFL Experiece below:

(Photo: AP, 2005. Video courtesy of the NFL.)

How the Super Bowl contenders stack up

Division winners earn the top four seeds in each conference, and two teams get wild-card berths. The contenders with division and conference records:

NFC
If the playoffs started today:
Team (Div.) All Div. Con.
1. NY Giants (E) 11-1 4-0 8-0
2. Tampa Bay (S) 9-3 3-1 8-2
3.  Arizona (W) 7-5 4-0 5-4
4. Chicago-x (N) 6-5 3-1 5-4
Wild card
5. Carolina 9-3 2-2 6-3
6. Atlanta 8-4 2-2 5-3
In the hunt
Dallas 8-4 2-2 6-4
Washington 7-5 2-3 6-4
x-not including late Sunday result

Division-by-division
SOUTH: Tampa Bay’s win kept it tied with Carolina for the division lead (Bucs currently hold the tiebreaker) heading into next week’s MNF showdown. The Bucs remain the NFC’s No. 2 seed. Atlanta moves into the last wild-card spot because of a better conference winning percentage than Dallas.
EAST: The Giants maintained their two-game lead as the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over the Redskins. New York remained undefeated in the division (4-0) and conference (8-0). Dallas’ 34-9 win Thursday over Seattle moved it ahead of Washington in the wild-card race.
NORTH: Green Bay’s loss to the Panthers, for now, knocks it out of the playoff picture. Sunday night’s Bears-Vikings winner takes over the division lead and jumps past Arizona into the No.  3 seed based on a better conference record.
WEST: Arizona’s lead in the division is so big that even Thursday’s 48-20 loss to the Eagles, its second straight defeat, doesn’t jeopardize its playoff position.

AFC
If the playoffs started today:
Team (Div.) All Div. Con.
1. Tennessee (S) 11-1 4-0 7-1
2. Pittsburgh (N) 9-3 4-0 8-1
3. N.Y. Jets (E) 8-4 3-1 6-4
4. Denver (W) 7-5 2-2 4-5
Wild card
5. Indianapolis 8-4 2-2 7-2
6. Baltimore 8-4 4-1 7-3
In the hunt
New England 7-5 3-2 5-5
Miami 7-5 2-2 5-4

Division-by-division
EAST: The Jets’ loss to the Broncos could have been costly. But because New England lost to the Steelers, New York retained a game lead in the division and the No.  3 playoff seed. Miami climbed back into the picture with its win over the Rams. The Patriots lead Miami on division record.
NORTH: Baltimore remained a game behind Pittsburgh as both teams won. The Colts remained ahead of the Ravens in the playoff seedings because of their win over Baltimore.
SOUTH: Tennessee’s rout of the lowly Lions on Thanksgiving strengthened its position as the AFC’s top seed. The Colts struggled against the Browns but maintained their hold on the No.  5 seed because of head-to-head over Baltimore.
WEST: Denver increased its lead over the disappointing Chargers to three games with four to play and sits just one game behind the Jets for the No.  3 seed (and the possibility of avoiding top seed Tennessee in the second round).
Times staff