(January 29, 2009) NBC, in detailing its Super Bowl coverage Wednesday, gave teams more incentive: The victor will get its trophy presented by NBC's Dan Patrick.

Patrick, noting he covered 17 Super Bowls at ESPN "from the outside looking in," will also help open the pregame show from the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room — NBC will also have an opener from the Arizona Cardinals locker room — and suggests he might get a career springboard. Says Patrick, noting ex-ESPN running-mate Keith Olbermann, who's also part of NBC's cast Sunday: "We've been talking to (NBC Sports head) Dick Ebersol about a reality show where Keith and I live together." (Imagine the hijinks: Who gets the remote!)

NBC's pregame plan sounds familiar. Mix in offbeat football (it has a feature on Super Bowl Gatorade-dumping on coaches), get in network plugs (Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and Tina Fey will pop up) and don't forget the mandatory cooking segment (in this case Tom Colicchio from Top Chef on NBC-owned Bravo). And don't forget the Iron Law: Don't offend anybody!

The marketing genius behind the NFL is managing to convert extreme violence into family fun. Which leads, as Ebersol suggests, to the Super Bowl being a "communal experience." Albeit a pricey commune: Ebersol says NBC has sold all but two of its 30-second television ads — with each selling for at least $2.5 million.

Super Bowls let networks give their stars star turns. Today host Matt Lauer will interview President Obama, Bob Costas will talk with halftime performer Bruce Springsteen and Today weatherman Al Roker will host a Super Suite for celeb drop bys.

Ebersol hints at surprises — "there might even be a governor from Alaska" — and jokes he'd like to add to his 21-person on-air crew. Says Olbermann: "No. 22, Rod Blagojevich — he's always available." (Olbermann to would-be counterprogrammers: "Effort breeds results, and we're going to win on Sunday.")

Costas will host the pregame from Raymond James Stadium's trademark pirate ship. Think eye patch and parrot on Costas' shoulder — if we're lucky.