Giants' Super Bowl upset lifts layoff-worried N.Y.C.

The Giants winning a Super Bowl has not always met with official joy. In 1987, when the Giants defeated the Denver Broncos, Mayor Ed Koch decreed that they could not have a victory parade in New York because the team played in New Jersey.

Bloomberg, who has been seen recently wearing a Giants jacket, has no such qualms, and the parade is to be held Tuesday.

Some New Yorkers felt a Super Bowl win helped them cope with an otherwise dismal sports season. "We've had the steroids scandal, the Mets' collapse at the end of the year, the Yankees not doing very well, and the Knicks aren't worth watching," says Anthony Luis, an attorney and Upper East Side resident.

Bob Meder, another East Sider who works in the insurance industry, says it will help the psyche of the city. "Not only are there layoffs, but bonuses are not good this year either," he says.

While New York may not be a football town to the degree of Cleveland or Pittsburgh, the city recognized the implications of the Super Bowl: promotion.

Last Thursday, for example, the Westminster Kennel Club, 11 days before the dogs were to arrive at Madison Square Garden, brought in a "Giant" schnauzer named Chelsea and a "Boston" terrier named Veronica for a photo op, with football gear from both teams. Photographers yelled for the dogs to go "nose to nose."

At the same time the dogs were posing, the International Federation of Competitive Eating was hosting a "fried pork rind" eating contest at Hawaii Tropic Zone to determine how many "footballs" could be consumed. "We are trying to promote our half-time eating contest, which will be on Spike TV," said Richard Shea, president of the organization.

Even the mayor couldn't resist the opportunity to use the Super Bowl for promotional purposes. Last Thursday, he went to an Upper East Side bar, which features a big NY Giants helmet in its window. The bar happens to be named Brady's. While the TV cameras recorded it, Bloomberg temporarily renamed it "Manning's."

"[The city] came to us," said Dan Brady, the owner and a Giants fan. "But I think it will be good for business."

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