"the message that seemed to come across---I could be wrong---was that football "was" the future of NO, that it was all the city had."
Then you weren't paying attention. The focus was on the Super Dome, which has hosted the Saints, SuperBowls, the NCAA Final Four, and countless other events.
N'Orlans is a tourist city, and they need these events to attract people back to the city. That is what they were trying to say.
Unfortunately, ESPN is a Sports network and the show was Monday Night FOOTBALL not Monday Night TOURIST ADS FOR NEW ORLEANS.
I agree with your comments. The game and the theme were pretty good in my opinion.
I agree. I didn't see any bias, and I was looking for it. Lots and logs of fans holding up "thank you" signs. Interviewees not asking for government handouts, but instead asking for the tourists to come back and revitalize the economy. Honestly, it made me want to go to New Orleans.