San Diego INS nabs 69 in sweep of workers

San Diego — Nearly 70 foreign-born security guards and drivers working at or around the Super Bowl were arrested by immigration agents in a three-month operation designed to ensure the safety of fans, authorities said Friday.

As part of Operation Game Day, the Immigration and Naturalization Service arrested 45 security guards and 24 cab drivers. Of those, 34 had criminal convictions.

Those detained on immigration violations could be deported. Six face prosecution on federal criminal charges.

The probe targeted workers operating in and around Qualcomm Stadium who have access to restricted areas.

“In the aftermath of 9-11, our priority is to examine areas that pose the highest security threat and take appropriate action,” said Adele J. Fasano, director of the INS’ San Diego district.

There was no indication any of the workers had terrorist ties, she said.

For Vegas oddsmakers, big game is big business

Las Vegas — Deep inside The Mirage hotel-casino, far from the stadiums, Robert Walker scanned the 38 TVs in his office during the NFL’s conference championship games last weekend.

As a sports book director, Walker was looking for clues to help him figure out the betting line for Sunday’s Super Bowl — which team should be favored and by how many points.

He and a handful of the most powerful oddsmakers in Las Vegas determine who loses and who cashes winning tickets. The favorite must win by more than the point spread for a bettor to collect, while the underdog bettor is given the points.

By Thursday night, more than a million dollars had streamed into Walker’s sports book.

Last year, $71 million was bet on the Super Bowl in Nevada, the only state with legal sports betting. In 1998, sports books took in a record $77.2 million on the game.

That includes dozens of exotic propositions or side bets that range from who will score the first touchdown to which team will take the first timeout.

Barber brothers causing double takes

San Diego — One of the 3,000 or so journalists at the Super Bowl asked Ronde Barber a question on a lot of minds.

“How do I know you’re not Tiki?” the reporter said, concerned perhaps that the Barber brothers — identical twins and NFL standouts — might be playing a little hide-and-seek in the biggest week of the pro football season.

“You don’t know,” Ronde said. “Nobody knows but us, and we’re keeping it that way. But you know what? He can’t do what I can.”

That’s because Tiki is a running back with the New York Giants, while Ronde plays cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Different football responsibilities and talents.

Everything else, though, is just about the same.

“We have certain characteristics,” Ronde said. “The ones who know us don’t have trouble telling us apart.”

Cold weather hurting New York’s bid for game

San Diego — Despite sub-freezing temperatures back home, the New York City Sports Commission continues to talk up the idea of holding the Super Bowl in the Big Apple.

The last time it was above freezing in New York was Jan. 13, nearly two weeks ago. Temperatures have been in the low single digits most days with wind chills making it feel even colder.

There is no dome at Giants Stadium, where a potential Super Bowl would be played.

One prominent New Yorker has lined up in the commission’s corner, endorsing the idea of playing a game there. And he could have major influence on a final decision.

“You just have to change your mindset,” commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Friday. “You have to approach it like somebody would approach going to the Winter Olympics.”