The Fifth floor of Tiffany & Co. is a state — and really a world away — from Metlife Stadium, but early on Saturday morning it welcomed some of the NFL’s most important, if less recognizable faces.
“Tiffany’s is the happy place,” says Suzanne Johnson, wife of Jets owner Woody Johnson who along with the Giants’ Mara and Tisch families are playing host to the team owners’ wives at the Big Apple landmark.
“Growing up we all watched ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ and it’s the most iconic jewelry store,” says Johnson in a cashmere Donna Karan ensemble.
While football fans have been sharpening their elbows to edge their way into buzzy parties — like the star-studded Maxim soiree — in hopes of catching a glimpse of a Victoria’s Secret model or an NFL quarterback, the team owners have an even more exclusive itinerary.
There was the owner’s dinner at the Mandarin Oriental on Thursday night emceed by Jimmy Fallon. Lorne Michaels, Mayor de Blasio, and former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue also attended the Jean-George Vongerichten-catered affair. Singer Janelle Monae performed at The Roseland Ballroom and Friday night’s dinner was at the Museum of Natural History, where John Mayer entertained.
The day before the big game, slim and prim NFL first ladies, many with Southern accents, are sipping bellinis and mimosas, sniffing the rarefied Fifth Avenue air and savoring a moment of unity between the 32 clubs.
“There always is an undercurrent of competition, no matter what anybody tells you. We’re friends for 364 days a year but not the day we’re playing,” says Johnson adding “You can’t hate the people. These are your partners but there’s always that undercurrent of, darn ‘I want to beat them.’ Anyone who tells you anything else is lying.”
One woman who clearly agrees is Ann Mara, the outspoken matriarch of the Mara clan (grandmother of actresses Rooney and Kate).
Though her beloved Giants aren’t playing, she’s not shy about her Sunday allegiance.
“I have to root for Peyton Manning. He’s a member of the family,” says Mara who is crowing about the successful Super Bowl week.
“Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves so much. Every owner has come up to me and said, ‘boy what a great job you people are doing.’ That’s rare,” she says.
The one interloper is Katie Couric. Clad in a sleeveless black dress, she is leading a Q&A for the ladies while they dine on lobster frittata squares and smoked salmon tea sandwiches. Each woman will take home a Tiffany leather wristlet as a party favor.
“I wish they stretched all of these events to Super Bowl month,” says Couric who attended Friday’s Mary J. Blige concert and Howard Stern’s birthday bash.
Since the families are scattered across the country, this is a rare moment for them to be in the same room.
Normally, the wives correspond with each other on their Yammer, which is a secret online forum open only to them.
“It’s just for the women, so we can do more of this and share what we’re doing our respective clubs,” explains Johnson, who is also a league ambassador for their apparel line.
Or commiserate on the trials of being an owner’s wife.
“You know what’s really hard? Your husband works his butt off. It’s a huge part of the family. For some families it’s their entire business. So you just can’t let this blow into the wind. And you’re juggling your husband.
You’re juggling his schedule and your family. You’re juggling traveling to these games on a weekly basis,” says Johnson.
An upbeat Charlotte Jones Anderson, the daughter of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is chatting with Tanya Snyder, who is married to Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. They’re both wearing almost identical Alaia dresses.
“It’s hard to top ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s absolutely my favorite movie of all time,” says Jones. Minutes later she can think of something to better than this dainty soiree—seeing her Cowboys play for this year’s Lombardi Trophy.
“You know there’s some sadness for many of us. Most of us, I should say, who aren’t actually playing. I think we’d rather be working than having breakfast. It’s extremely frustrating. This is my happy face for the party. The real face I had to leave behind,” she adds.
And if you’re Denver owner, Pat Bowlen’s wife Annabel Bowlen, the posh festivities are interrupted by looming game day jitters.
“We’ve really enjoyed ourselves this week, but it’s hard to not to be nervous,” says Bowlen, a petite former figure skater. She is flanked by her 24-year-old daughter Brittany who is now working for the NFL in New York City. “I just have to support my husband and say some prayers.”
And though many of them have support roles within their organizations, one woman will gladly tell you who is really holds the reigns.
“My son [Giants’ co-owner John Mara] tells me that I have to behave. I tell people, ‘I’m his boss.’.” quips Ann Mara.