THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation have submitted a bid to host the 2013 Super Bowl.

Foundation president Jay Cicero says the bid submitted Friday afternoon deals with technical aspects of hosting the game, such as the availability of hotel rooms and convention facilities.

New Orleans has hosted nine Super Bowls, but none since 2002.

The bid marks the city's first attempt to bring back the NFL's championship game since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

The state and the Saints are negotiating to extend the team's Louisiana Superdome lease through 2025. Saints officials are optimistic the new lease will be in place by the time the NFL votes in May on where to award the 2013 Super Bowl.