April 27, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers first round draft picks Doug Martin and Mark Barron are introduced during a press conference at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The bad economy is affecting many people all over the world and football fans are no exception. This is apparent with the sad announcement that merchandising store Bucs and Bulls Heaven is closing down. The store, that sells merchandise for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has announced that due to fans cutting back and spending less money, they are having to close down. They are having a half price sale that will continue until everything is sold, when their impressive 16 years of business will come to a sad end.

As well as this, ticket sales for the Bucs have gone down in recent years, no doubt also a result of the bad economy. Fans just aren’t prepared to spend as much money on their team as before, with many choosing instead to watch their games from home where they can avoid high ticket prices and spend more time on other things like reading or playing on sites like OnlinePoker.com. It is getting harder for smaller, local businesses to compete with larger ones like Target or Walmart, so unfortunately many are finding it difficult to stay afloat.

However, Joshua Hall, an economics professor at the University of Tampa says that all hope is not lost. According to him, small businesses can use social media to their advantage, something that larger businesses find more difficult. They can tap into their target market and get in touch with potential customers, thus ensuring that they remain on the radar. There is more good news as well, as the owners of Bucs and Bulls have said that this is not the end for them. They have new ventures in mind and are planning on reinventing themselves in the sporting community. This is good news for Bucs fans and it will be interesting to see where their next move takes them.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE

The New England Patriots opened as a small favorite 3.5 point over the New York Giants with the Superbowl odds and that is likely to fluctuate in the two weeks leading up to game day as this looks to be an even matchup. It is so even that it may come down to a last second score as was the case four years ago when the Giants upset the Patriots on a touchdown in the final seconds to shatter the Patriots dreams of an undefeated 19-0 season.

A majority of the players from that game are gone but the makeup and style of the two teams makes for what looks to be an even matchup in the Superbowl. Just seven New England Patriots return from that 2007 Super Bowl team while 12 Giants are back this time around.

The big difference in this game is what has not changed and that is quarterback Eli Manning of the Giants and quarterback Tom Brady of the Patriots. In Manning’s case he has emerged as a quarterback that is no longer under question about his elite status, as was the case four years ago, and is now secure in his place as a respected leader, clutch performer, and picture passer.

For Brady the road grows ever closer to a first ballot Hall of Fame spot in Canton, Ohio. Brady is without question the best quarterback in the game, an efficient machine like winner that puts the Pats in position year after year.

The ownership contrast is quite interesting between the teams as Tim Mara heads the Giants group with the Mara family being in charge of the Giants for a third generation. The Mara’s are the ultimate old school ownership clan in that they are low key and let the product on the field speak for itself. With coach Tom Coughlin, as button down of a coach as there is, the Mara’s have the perfect company man leading the team on the gridiron.