I wonder if Manny Ramirez was there?


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Plenty of skin at trifecta of Super parties
By Darren Rovell
ESPN.com
SAN DIEGO -- Super Bowl Saturdays usually prove that fabric is out, skin is in and silicon reigns.

All three fashion statements were realized at the trifecta of Super Bowl parties -- one hosted by agents Leigh Steinberg and Jeff Moorad, the other two thrown by Playboy and Maxim.

Steinberg and Moorad's 17th annual Super Bowl party at the San Diego Zoo kicked off the day of festivities.

"The party gives us the ability to meld big entertainment business with big sports business," Steinberg said. "Our athletes can meet people from various walks of life and explore endorsement opportunities and perhaps a second career."

? I come to the Super Bowl because of the parties, not because of the Super Bowl. Most parties I go to are about an 8 or 9, but this is probably the only 10. ?
? John Rocker, former Braves reliever

Newly signed clients such as University of Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey roamed the meet-and-greet party, as did porcupines, parrots and cheetahs.

Late Saturday night, it was time to move onto the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park for the Playboy party. The building was a Spanish colonial, perfect for the theme "Casa de Playboy," which came complete with fried churros with whipped cream and a mariachi band.

Guests were so focused on the Playmates parading around that they very few recognized Super Bowl XXXVI MVP Tom Brady. Want proof that fame is fleeting? Brady not only didn't make the stars-showing-up fact sheet -- which included Rodney Peete and Evan Marriott (Joe Millionaire) -- but he got carded when he ordered a drink.

Plenty of people knew who Hugh Hefner was. One of the party highlights was Hef, who will celebrate his 77th birthday in April, dancing with eight Playmates. It's not only about the money. Hefner seemed to be whispering something substantive in their ears.

Former Atlanta Braves reliever John Rocker got more double takes than Brady did. Rocker said he loves the Super Bowl party scene.

"I come to the Super Bowl because of the parties, not because of the Super Bowl," the reliever said. "Most parties I go to are about an 8 or 9, but this is probably the only 10."

While many snapped pictures of Hefner, spectators buying the ticket to the party were informed they had automatically signed away their immediate marketing rights to the Playboy publishing company. A notice in one of the rooms noted that "Your Visit May Be Recorded and Used."

The other coveted party of the night was Maxim's "Maximville," which took place simultaneously at a warehouse building called the Wonderbread Factory.

In the middle of the main room, a girl in a bathing suit was sitting in a 10-foot-tall champagne glass *****d with water and bubbles. Along the building's perimeter, the simple foods -- hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream sandwiches -- were available for the taking.

Some 30 women were hired by the men's magazine to dress as 1960s waitresses on roller skates and cheerleaders.

Auditions took place in Los Angeles and San Diego in early December, and the girls were called last week to say that they made it. Twenty-two-year-old Devon Collier was one who made the final cut. The recent journalism grad from San Diego State, who was dressed as a cheerleader, said the break could help her aspiring modeling career.

Athletes who showed up, like Los Angeles Lakers guard Robert Horry, were happy they attended the party.

"This is the only time we've been off like this, so I had a chance to come," Horry said. "Our schedule has worked out perfectly. This year, I had the chance to see the World Series, the Fiesta Bowl and now the Super Bowl."

Darren Rovell, who covers sports business for ESPN.com, can be reached at [email protected].