Quickly throwing up a post on this, because I'm sure most have heard already, but the New York/New Jersey group
won the bid for the Super Bowl and so in 2014, they will be playing outdoors at the New Meadowlands Stadium. I have expressed to many friends that I am highly in favor of this move. After 16 weeks of playing in weather (plus a few rounds of playoffs) I always found it odd that the game that counted the most would be one where the National Football League would try to control the weather the most. I understood it from a financial perspective: no chance of snow delays for planes, sponsors get to do presentations outside, and, most importantly, there's the perception that there's more offense in cleaner weather.
Well I say throw it all out. There is no "slippery slope" of all games being moved to cold-weather areas (Bob Kraft already said this was a unique situation after 9/11 and the economic downturn in New York) and even if there was, why would that be so bad? The one time that New Orleans didn't host the Super Bowl, they made it--but imagine if they got to play that game in the Superdome? Why shouldn't every team that has a nice enough stadium get that chance?
And people tell me: "Andrew, but what if it snows?" Truthfully, I think it would be the highest rated Super Bowl ever. Who wouldn't turn in to see that game? And people who paid all that money for the seats will show up regardless as they do for every other game of the season. I think it'll make the game more genuine instead of one that the NFL tries to tweak. And imagine if the Jets or Giants make the playoffs in 2014 with a chance to make that Super Bowl? Imagine the pressure they'll have that year especially to do so. Amazing. I think it's a great idea and I'm excited it's coming. Honestly (and I'm not trying to sound biased since I'm from the area), I can't think of one good reason NOT to have approved it. Kudos to the NFL for doing something cool and smart.
And on this occasion, I figured it was a good time
to link to a great Super Bowl memory. Giants fans, turn up your speakers!
Picture from the New York Giants
Posts
I agree 100%. I understand the financial reasons for not wanting a cold weather Super Bowl, but in reality half the teams play regular season and playoff games with the chance of horrible weather. Why should the Super Bowl be any different?
ReplyDeleteWho didn't enjoy watching the Giants Packers playoff game a few years ago?
Actually Parch, what financial reasons for not wanting a cold weather Super Bowl? I haven't really heard anything about that. The game will sell out, even if there's a blizzard and the temperature is 0 degrees. The in-game entertainment will be unchanged, aside from the wardrobe selection. The parties will still be as crazy in NYC, tourism will still be strong (as Deadspin points out here: http://deadspin.com/5548252/tampa-bawww-scribes-cry-foul-over-northeast-super-bowl) and people will still tune in on TV all across the country and around the world. In fact, ratings could be higher than usual for a truly wintry Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, couldn't this make more money than most Super Bowls usually make?
I think most people's concern is the weather, as if playing an important football game in cold conditions is a bad thing. It happens a lot, actually, as recently as the Giants beating the Packers in a subzero Lambeau Field in the NFC Championship Game three years ago. People generally like when that happens, too. Honestly, I just don't understand why people are objecting. Hundreds of games are played in lousy conditions, everything from 90 degrees in Miami in Aug/Sept to 0 degrees in Chicago and Green Bay in January. So why should the SB be any different?
I think people are just jealous of the awesome New Giants Stadiu.
I am support and really excited about this decision but there is one thing people seem to miss about why this might be unfair. There has never been a super bowl in cold weather. Let's say it snows and a team like last year's New Orleans makes the game and plays a run/d-fense kind of team like Pittsburgh. No matter the result, Pittsburgh has the advantage. And if New Orleans lost, they would have a gripe given the fact this will be the only Super Bowl out of 50 outside!
ReplyDeleteI know, the chances of these two elements occuring in 2014 is somewhat unlikely, but the risk is still there. And if it happens, it's totally unfair....
Paul, while I see your point, it's not totally correct/I don't agree with it. They used to play the title game outdoors all the time. And if it was in the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field, a warm weather team may have had a disadvantage, but they would have to deal with that. It's not any different than the Super Bowl a few years back with the torrential rain.
ReplyDeleteWhy would it be unfair? The Giants are used to playing in a dome so is it unfair if they have to play there? Instead of giving it to Arizona, Florida and New Orleans over and over, let's sprinkle in a few other venues. And if weather gets involved, so be it. It's the National Football League, for goodness sake! When did football fans become weather pansies? They now play hockey games outside on New Years Day in a game that counts and football should be doing the same.
I'm talking the Super Bowl, not the NFL Championship. Super Bowl I was played at the LA Colesium, II & III in the Orange bowl. The SB has been in Northern Cities a few times, all Domes. I imagine the main reason for this is to not have the weather impact the championship. The NFL also lets home fields decide who gets there so in order for a team to win a champtionship, they might have to play a cold weather game to get there.
ReplyDeleteThe 2008 Cardinals are a great example. Their style of play is geared toward warm weather/domes. The Giants were the #1 seed in the playoffs that year. If the Giants advanced (like they should have) then the Cards would play in the Meadowlands for the NFC Champ. If they win in this scenario in 2014, then they advance to the Super Bowl in cold weather to play the Steelers. This scenario would be totally unfair, no one can deny that. This is because in any other year, the Cards could play in warm weather inside.
I support the idea, I'm just playing devil's adovcate here and amazed that no one in the media brings this up.