Should Super Bowls be held in cold weather cities

[koopa]

???? Inspired by snow in Ohio. Coming down pretty good now.


I live 4 hours south of Detroit. Even though there are winter storm warnings around here, I say yes.

I'm feeling Detroit's enthusiasm for hosting the Super Bowl. Hope the bad weather doesn't cause gridlock. The media has been nothing but positive too.
Nothing but good news for the city. Now if they could have played the game outside instead of inside Ford Field ha ha.

 

[Tiggeroo]

football is a cold weather sport for most of us. Yep it should be. If you can't get there oh well. The tv cameras and things will be set up ahead of time.

 

[Planogirl]

I see nothing wrong with the game being played in a colder area. As long as the city makes sure that people can get to the game, it's a good choice.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I think from a business point of view it shows extreme hubris for the NFL to hold the Super Bowl in a cold weather city (nothing personal, Detroit). Sponsors, clients, guests, etc would prefer a more scenic location, I am sure. At this rate football won't be the new "national pastime" for long.

 

[pixiemomma]

Yes, it should.

 

[briannesmom]

Michigan weather update...
I am about 20 minutes from downtown and it just started snowing pretty heavily. Not the pretty fluffy snowflakes but the wet mushy stuff. We planned on going downtown this afternoon to go to the NFL Experience and the WinterBlast but I think DD and I will stay home. If DH wants to go out in this mush he is on his own.

 

[golfgal]

The thing is that most people that live in cold weather cities know how to drive in bad weather, they know to take their time, etc. Those coming from out of state, celebrities, etc. will have local drivers driving them to the game (bus, taxi, limo). Roads will be plowed to accommodate the extra traffic. I don't really see an issue with it. People will still show up at the stadium. When the Super Bowl was in MN many years ago it was during one of the coldest weeks in the winter, sub-zero temps, etc. People were still tailgating, having parties outside and all the seats in the Dome were filled.

 

[Pinnie]

Speaking as a native Detroiter, I am GLAD that this area has a chance to hold the Super Bowl, All Star Game, Ryder Cup and coming in a couple of years, The Final Four!

Football is played all over the country and those of us in this part of the country would like to be a part of all the celebration that goes into one of these events. My suburban city is hosting the media and last night I had the opportuntity to chat with a a couple of foreign jounalists at a local restaurant while waiting for a table. They were happy to be here and were surpised at how friendly everyone was and how much the city was doing for them.

Yes, we are under a winter storm warning right now, but it's WINTER in DETROIT. The stadium is under a roof and the city plans in place to get the snow removed by tomorrow.

It's been a pleasure to be called PITTSBURG WEST here! Good Luck Steelers!

pinnie

 

[OhMari]

When the Packers went to the Super Bowl in 1997 they played in New Orleans and it was a metro dome. So it didn't matter if it was warm or cold out. I remember Reggie White being upset that they lit fireworks off at half time and he said he had a really hard time breathing the second half. He couldn't believe they would let off smoke and fireworks at a inside stadium. It will be interesting to watch to see if Detroit lets anything spark or burn.

 

[rigs32]

Remember that colder cities can only host the Big Game if they have a dome. Sadly, it will never come to Buffalo as we insist on an open-air stadium. If we ever make the playoffs again, it's a stronger home field advantage if you're playing a southern team in bad weather.

 

[DisneyPhD]

This weeks weather has been far better then the last time Detroit hosted the supperbowl. I think the weather people blew it out of proprotion, we are also about 20 min north the city and the ground is slushy, but not snow coved. Heck it isn't even sticking in my back yard.

We breifly consdiered going down town, my BIL & SIL are going to. I thought it would be fun to see all they have going on. I think it has been good for Detroit, both well run and well planed (no help from the Major though! ). It is nice to see the city so alive. However we are all getting over colds and don't want to take the baby out. DH drove by the zoo (near our house) where they are shuttling people and it was nuts. However he had to pick someone up at the airport and that wasn't bad.

I must say when I heard about in coming 6 years ago my 1st response was "who would want to come to Detroit in Feb, I don't want to be in Detroit in Feb and I live here." I must admit though, from the news it seems like eveyrone is having fun.

Ford Feild really is a great place, and they do have a lot of new things (for the city, for the supperbowl.)

Why should warm weather places have all the fun? Even Fla can get chilly in the winter.

 

[momof2inPA]

My dad went to the last Detroit Superbowl.

I wonder if the cold weather doesn't cause the hotels and restaurants to actually make MORE money, because the tailgaters can't stay outside drinking and eating before the game-- well, I'm sure Pittsburgher's will be outside tailgating, anyway. They're a tough bunch.

 

[tubaman]

I would love to see the Super Bowl outside and in cold weather. I think it would offer a good challenge to everyone.

 

[Doctor P]

I think from a business point of view it shows extreme hubris for the NFL to hold the Super Bowl in a cold weather city (nothing personal, Detroit). Sponsors, clients, guests, etc would prefer a more scenic location, I am sure. At this rate football won't be the new "national pastime" for long.

You've got to be kidding. Yes, the sponsors and clients are an essential part of the equation for the NFL, but I would suggest that they will go to the Super Bowl wherever it is and that they are in it more for the financial aspects of the advertising and the effects that the advertising has on their business than on the Super Bowl trip. Furthermore, the Super Bowl activities are such that the climate of the city makes very little difference for most attendees who are inside for most events (or can be) and are transported to and from the game. If holding the game in colder climates means that fewer sponsors, clients, and guest choose to use their comp tickets to the game from the NFL, then...good. There will be more tickets for football fans. I had a classmate in graduate school who got to go to the Super Bowl every year for free because her husband's company was an NFL advertiser. Both were football fans and I don't begrudge them the experience and appreciate their support of the NFL. On the other hand, I have a close friend who has been a season ticket holder for 17 years (with personal seat licenses for four seats) for an NFL franchise that has been to the Super Bowl four times in that time frame and he hasn't been able to even get a sniff of a ticket. Something seems wrong with that. I don't think they should hold the Super Bowl in a cold climate stadium every year, but as long as we have climate controlled stadia in Detroit, Minnesota, and Seattle, I think it is a great idea to rotate the big game through those wonderful cities (yes, even Detroit's downtown has come back enough to be classified as a wonderful city, IMHO, and the other two cities are mentioned are exceptional cities to visit).

 

[poohandwendy]

well, I'm sure Pittsburgher's will be outside tailgating, anyway. They're a tough bunch.

LOL, no doubt. I know dozens of people who are up there just for the tailgating...they are not afraid of ice, snow, cold...BRING IT ON!!!!

 

[poohandwendy]

I would love to see the Super Bowl outside and in cold weather. I think it would offer a good challenge to everyone.

Me too! Unfortunately, Pgh will never host a SB because we don't have a dome...

 

[momof2inPA]

If holding the game in colder climates means that fewer sponsors, clients, and guest choose to use their comp tickets to the game from the NFL, then...good. There will be more tickets for football fans. I had a classmate in graduate school who got to go to the Super Bowl every year for free because her husband's company was an NFL advertiser. Both were football fans and I don't begrudge them the experience and appreciate their support of the NFL. On the other hand, I have a close friend who has been a season ticket holder for 17 years (with personal seat licenses for four seats) for an NFL franchise that has been to the Super Bowl four times in that time frame and he hasn't been able to even get a sniff of a ticket. Something seems wrong with that.

I agree. They comp too many seats out to the sponsors. It's ridiculous. Let the fans from the represented cities enjoy the games and let the "suits" have parties from their offices.

 

[tubaman]

Didn't they hold it outside not to long ago?

 

[poohandwendy]

Didn't they hold it outside not to long ago?

I think some of the warmer states can host with an outdoor stadium.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't think they should hold the Super Bowl in a cold climate stadium every year, but as long as we have climate controlled stadia in Detroit, Minnesota, and Seattle, I think it is a great idea to rotate the big game through those wonderful cities (yes, even Detroit's downtown has come back enough to be classified as a wonderful city, IMHO, and the other two cities are mentioned are exceptional cities to visit).

Thank you for your support. (even though I tend to get down on the City myself, but then again I lived in Detroit for 5 years while going to grad school and worked in the City for 10 years.) I have seen the good the bad and the ugly. I agree though, it has been making some major improvments and comebacks. The supperbowl has done some great things for it.

We do have some great venues here, along with the Pistons and Redwings, (even if our baseball and football teams aren't up to par.)

How many other city's have the chance to host 3 national championship games in one year? (slim chance, but still could happen!)