New Orleans Will Host 2013 Super Bowl

The NFL gave New Orleans a little post-Katrina love today, announcing that the city will host the Super Bowl in 2013, the Times-Picayune reports. "From every perspective, this shows that our city is on the rise, viable and thriving," said Saints owner Tom Benson. "Maybe we don't need to talk about New Orleans being on the way back anymore. New Orleans is back, and today is proof."

The move follows a deal between the state and the Saints that will keep the team in the city through 2025 and provide renovations to the Superdome. "There's no doubt that the spirit of our people who persevered through four storms in just over three years played a critical role in securing the Super Bowl," said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. (More New Orleans stories.)