New York City may be the staging area for the 2014 Super Bowl, as the Jets and Giants yesterday submitted their leading joint bid to host the game. With most reports putting New York’s offer ahead of the competition from Tampa and South Florida, Super Bowl XLVIII would be the first outdoor cold weather championship.
“Sports fans … are not intimidated by weather,” said Mark Lamping, CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium Company.
The league had to waive its usual Super Bowl requirement of mild temperatures or a covered stadium to accept the New York bid.
“It’s the biggest game in the world, so why not have it on the biggest stage in the world?” Giants president John Mara said.
To overcome the fear of winter, the bid promises handwarmers and heated seat cushions for the 82,500 fans who can fill the seats. The bid covered myriad other logistical details like getting people from the Big Apple out to the Meadowlands, the thousands of restaurants and hotels to feed and house fans, how wide the seats will be and where they would rehearse the half-time show.
Jets owner Woody Johnson cited studies estimating the game could bring $550 million to the area.
The plans mention Super Bowl parties at Ellis Island or the American Museum of Natural History. Team owners vote May 25 to select the location of the 2014 Super Bowl.
