As I sat at the e in Champions Square, I got excited about the biggest of the big NFL games returning to New Orleans and Louisiana.

This will be the 11th Super Bowl hosted in the one Louisiana city that can handle such an international event, bringing significant economic benefits to the city, the state and south Louisiana businesses.

Based on the success of this year's , New Orleans and Louisiana should expect 300,000 to 500,000 visitors spending between $500 million and $700 million. That means the city might double in size as people from across the nation spend money that will support the economy of the city — and the state.

Of course, that means potential visitors have to get excited and start putting down deposits to hold hotel rooms and other places to stay, book flights and make dinner reservations at their favorite New Orleans dining establishments. Most of that happens before anyone knows which teams will compete on the football field.

Though she clearly knows there are ongoing challenges that must be addressed — including but not limited to crime — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will no doubt do her part to support next year's Super Bowl, along with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the Super Bowl Host Committee.

It's my hope that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry will cool his anti-New Orleans, dangerous-city-riddled-with-crime rhetoric and start doing some Super Bowl cheerleading.

"I mean, the New Orleans Police Department is in shambles because of a federal consent decree and a federal judge," the governor said not long ago. "We have to wrestle that away from them, and even if she gave it to us today, it would take a decade to build that police department back up.”

That's not comforting to people in other parts of Louisiana and in other states.

At the recent news conference I attended, the governor said the city had to face up to its "challenges" and get ready.

"This is, for us, an opportunity to really turn a new chapter," he said. "The city has its challenges and I can tell you one thing: This state and this city is (sic) going to rise to whatever challenges we need to."

Not exactly comforting, nor inspiring enough for me to drop $700 or $800 a night on a hotel room, hundreds or more on a plane ticket and put aside money for a great New Orleans time with drinks, food and entertainment.

Landry came closer to being a Super Bowl cheerleader with another comment:

"The City of New Orleans is not just a hospitality city. It is a place where some of the greatest sports events in the world can actually happen. This gives us that opportunity."

There is so much at stake, and so much good that is possible, that New Orleans and Louisiana must make the most of this 11th locally hosted Super Bowl.

Fewer than 80,000 will watch the big game in the Caesars Superdome. That means more than 200,000 to 300,000 will likely be in the city to enjoy just being near the Super Bowl. 

That's a lot of people visiting the Crescent City, coming to enjoy the Super Bowl Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as well as lots of entertainment, food, music and sights elsewhere.

The reality is that much of the city's violent crime has dropped — a lot. That doesn't mean people shouldn't be cautious. But it likewise shouldn't stop them from coming here and enjoying themselves. 

Thousands of people paid $758 on the Saturday night before the Las Vegas Super Bowl — and $808 to stay Sunday night after the game. Our hotels can command higher rates — if people decide they can have a good, safe, fun time.

Generally, no one spends that kind of money to stay in a place where the governor says he has with

In the 11 months between now and the Super Bowl, we don't need to shy away from our challenges and concerns for those who live, work and play here before and after the Super Bowl crowds come and go. But Landry and others need to consider the mixed messages they have been sending to potential Super Bowl visitors.

We can use more positive teamwork, which Landry has promised, and more positive talk, which Landry might have to practice.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@theadvocate.com, or follow him on Twitter, @willsutton.

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