One reason the Super Bowl Advisory Committee was set to recommend a warm-weather venue for the iconic game is the fact that Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 will be held at MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Jets and Giants, and is likely to be the first Super Bowl played in cold weather. The Dolphins lost to San Francisco 38-16 in that game in what stands as their most recent Super Bowl appearance. The San Francisco area has been host to only one Super Bowl, that being Super Bowl XIX at Stanford Stadium in 1985. But in Super Bowl XLI, in which Indianapolis defeated Chicago 29-17, persistent rain showers spoiled the festivities. South Florida has hosted 10 Super Bowls and enjoyed ideal conditions for the first eight. The San Francisco site is actually in nearby Santa Clara, which is building a new stadium for the 49ers that will open in 2014. “I do think that had an impact,” Dee added.Īn earlier report in USA Today said the choice was between South Florida and New Orleans, as the owners preferred a warm-weather venue with a history of hosting Super Bowls.
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That began a round of lobbying at both the public and private level led by Dee to make those improvements, which would have included a canopy to cover fans from rain, lighting that would be up to standard for high-definition broadcasts, a new video board and sound system, and a reconfiguration of seating areas that would bring seats 18 feet closer to the field.Ī depressed economy over the past several years is considered the main reason those efforts have failed to gain momentum.īarreto said a letter sent to Goodell on behalf of “15 or 20” mayors of municipalities in Dade and Broward counties asking “to allow us to serve as hosts of the 50th game” may have been a plus in the process. New Orleans was awarded that game, and Goodell spoke at length afterward about how the Dolphins’ home stadium needed significant upgrades before it would receive serious consideration again. South Florida was last considered a serious contender to host a Super Bowl in 2009, when the selection process was held for the 2013 game at the meetings in Fort Lauderdale. Whether that’s changed I don’t know, but we’ll deal with it when it comes.” When we (made our application) 45 days ago, there was no talk about renovations, no talk about stadium improvements. “First we have to see if there are any preconditions from the NFL. “We’re going to reach out to the community leaders and political leaders,” he said. Rodney Barreto, executive director of the South Florida group, sounded as if he expects those specifics to come later, and he wants to be ready for them. “There was not a lot of elaboration after the announcement was made other than the meeting was adjourned,” he said. The city that loses out on the 2016 game will vie with Houston for the right to host the 2017 event.ĭee said that to this point at least, the league has put no parameters on minimum improvements that must be made for the bid to South Florida. “We’re going to have to put our best foot forward.”īoth the 20 Super Bowls will be awarded at the NFL spring meetings in May. “Obviously this is great news, a great opportunity for Miami and South Florida,” said Dolphins CEO Mike Dee, who represented the South Florida Super Bowl Organizing Committee at the meetings.
Two-and-a-half years after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said dramatic renovations to Sun Life Stadium were necessary before the area would again receive serious consideration to be a Super Bowl host, South Florida and San Francisco were named the finalists for the landmark game Tuesday at the NFL fall meetings in Chicago. Somewhat surprisingly, South Florida has emerged as one of the favorites to host the 50th Super Bowl in February 2016.
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