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Super Bowl

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File:Superbowl Trophy Crop.jpg
The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

In professional American football, the Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL). The game is played on Super Bowl Sunday. Over the years, the Super Bowl has become the most-watched American television broadcast. The football game and its associated festivities are now considered to be a de facto American national holiday. Many popular singers and musicians have performed during the event’s pre-game and halftime ceremonies. Over 200+ million people watch the Super Bowl from around the world.

The Super Bowl was first played on January 15, 1967, as part of an agreement between the NFL and a rival league, the American Football League (AFL). It was agreed that the two leagues’ champion teams would play in an annual AFL–NFL World Championship Game. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather than the year in which it is held. Super Bowl I was played in 1967 to determine the championship of the regular season played in 1966, and Super Bowl XLIV will be played in 2010 to determine the champion of the 2009 regular season.

After the two leagues merged in 1970, the Super Bowl became the NFL Championship Game; the game was then played between the champions of the NFL’s two conferences — the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

Television broadcast rights for the Super Bowl are held exclusively each year by only one major television network. This annual broadcast is famous for having the most expensive commercial advertising airtime. As a result, watching and judging the broadcast’s commercials has become a significiant aspect of the event..

Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest U.S. food consumption day, after Thanksgiving Day.[1]

The Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the league's most popular teams, have won the Super Bowl more times than anyone else at six, and have a 6-1 record overall. The Dallas Cowboys, also a highly-popular team, have appeared in more Super Bowls (eight) more than any other team with a 5-3 record. The two teams have met a record three times in the Super Bowl, with the Steelers leading with a 2-1 record.

Origin

The Super Bowl was created as part of the merger agreement between the National Football League (NFL) and its competitive rival, the American Football League (AFL). After its inception in 1920, the NFL fended off several rival leagues before the AFL began play in 1960. The intense competitive war for players and fans led to serious merger talks between the two leagues in 1966, culminating in a merger agreement announcement on June 8, 1966. One of the conditions of the AFL–NFL merger was that the winners of each league's championship game would meet in a contest to determine the "world champion of football". According to NFL Films President Steve Sabol, then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle wanted to call the game "The Big One".[2] During the discussions to iron out the details, AFC founder and Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt had jokingly referred to the proposed inter league championship as the "Super Bowl". Hunt thought of the name after seeing his children playing with a toy called a Super Ball;[3] the small, round ball is now on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The name was consistent with postseason college football games which had long been known as "bowl games." The "bowl" term originated from the Rose Bowl Game, which was in turn named for the bowl-shaped stadium in which it is played. Hunt only meant his suggested name to be a stopgap until a better one could be found. Nevertheless, the name "Super Bowl" became permanent.

After the NFL's Green Bay Packers convincingly won the first two Super Bowls, some team owners feared for the future of the merger. At the time, many doubted the competitiveness of AFL teams compared with NFL counterparts. That perception all changed with the AFL's New York Jets' defeat of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in Miami. One year later, the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs defeated the NFL's Minnesota Vikings 23-7 and won Super Bowl IV in New Orleans, the last World Championship game played between the champions of the two leagues, as the league merger finally took place later that year.

The game is played annually on a Sunday as the final game of the NFL Playoffs. Originally the game took place in early to mid-January following a 14-game regular season and playoffs. Over the years the date of the Super Bowl has progressed from the second Sunday in January, to the third, then the fourth Sunday in January; the game is now played on the first Sunday in February, given the current 17-week (16 games and one bye week) regular season and three rounds of playoffs. This progression of the date of the Super Bowl has been caused by the following: the expansion of the NFL regular season in 1978 from 14 games to 16, the expansion of the pre-Super Bowl playoffs from two rounds to three (also in 1978), the addition of the regular season bye-week in the 1990s, and the decision prior to the 2003 season to start the regular season the week after Labor Day, moving the start of the season to a week later than it had been (in 1997, for example, the regular season started on Sunday, August 31). Former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle is often considered the mastermind of both the merger and the Super Bowl. His leadership guided the two competitors into the merger agreement and cemented the preeminence of the Super Bowl.

The winning team gets the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named for the coach of the Green Bay Packers, who won the first two Super Bowl games and 3 of the 5 preceding NFL championships (1961, 1962, 1965). Following his death in September 1970, the trophy was named the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and was first awarded as such to the Baltimore Colts at Super Bowl V in Miami. Super Bowl III was the first to be numbered. Super Bowls I and II were not known as such until the game's third year and were named "The AFL-NFL World Championship Game" when they were played.

Game history

See also: List of Super Bowl champions

1966–1967: Packers' early success

The Green Bay FAGGETS won the first two Super Bowls, defeating the Kansas City Dick Suckers and the Oakland Fudge Packers. The Packers were led by quarterback Bart Starr, who was named MVP for both games. These two championships, along with the Packers' NFL championships in 1961, 1962, and 1965 have led many people to consider the Packers to be the "Team of the 1960s." [citation needed] Green Bay, Wisconsin is often referred to as "Title Town";[4] by its own residents due to the five championships the Packers won in the 1960s and its twelve championships since the team began playing in 1919, the most of any NFL franchise.[citation needed]

1968–1980 AFL/AFC dominance

Super Bowl III featured one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history as the New York Jets, behind the guarantee of Joe Namath, defeated the 18-point favorite Baltimore Colts 16–7. Namath, the MVP of the game, and Matt Snell, 121 yards on 30 carries with a touchdown, led the Jets to victory. The win helped solidify the AFL as a legitimate contender with the NFL.

The 1970s were dominated by the AFC, with an outright majority of the Super Bowls won by just two teams, the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning a combined six championships in the decade. Miami won Super Bowls VII and VIII, the former completing the NFL's only perfect season. Pittsburgh won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) behind the coaching of Chuck Noll and play of Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, and Franco Harris—each receiving at least one MVP award—and their "Steel Curtain" defense led by "Mean" Joe Greene.

The only NFC franchise to win a Super Bowl during the decade was the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas appeared in five Super Bowls—the only time that one team has represented its conference for half the Super Bowls in a given decade—and won Super Bowls VI and XII.

1981-1996: The NFC's Winning Streak

NFC teams won fifteen of sixteen Super Bowls in this stretch, including thirteen in a row from 1984 to 1996.

The 49ers lead the NFC domination of the 1980s

The most successful franchise of the 1980s was the San Francisco 49ers, who won four Super Bowls in the decade (XVI, XIX, XXIII, and XXIV). The 49ers were led by coach Bill Walsh and quarterback Joe Montana. They were known for using the precision accurate, fast-paced west coast offense. The 1980s also included the 1985 Chicago Bears who finished the season 18–1 (a feat accomplished the prior year by the 49ers), and two championships for the Joe Gibbs-coached Washington Redskins. The Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders were the only AFC franchise to win a Super Bowl in the 1980s, winning Super Bowls XV and XVIII.

The Cowboys dominate the early 1990s

The Dallas Cowboys became the dominant team in the NFL in the early 1990s. After championships by division rivals New York and Washington to start the decade, the Cowboys won three of the next four Super Bowls. The Cowboys were led by Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, the first two of whom won MVP awards. The early 1990s also featured the Buffalo Bills appearing in four consecutive Super Bowls, although they lost all of them. The 49ers became the first team to win five championships with their win in Super Bowl XXIX and they continued a string of 16 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins into the 90s, appearing in four NFC championship games in the decade with Steve Young winning two MVP awards. The Cowboys also won their fifth title ( Super Bowl XXX ) in the decade and appeared in four NFC championship games as well, winning with both a balanced offense and dominant defense. The 49ers and the Cowboys faced each other in three consecutive NFC championships. As both teams began to fizzle late into the decade, another NFC powerhouse, the Green Bay Packers, led by three time MVP quarterback Brett Favre, emerged, winning Super Bowl XXXI following the 1996 season, appearing in three NFC championship games in the decade, losing to the Cowboys in 1995, defeating the Panthers in 1996, and defeating the 49ers in 1997.

1997–Present: The AFC rises again

In Super Bowl XXXII, quarterback John Elway led the Denver Broncos to an upset victory over the defending champion Packers, snapping the NFC's 13-game winning streak, and beginning a streak in which the AFC would win nine of the next twelve Super Bowls. The Broncos would go on to win Super Bowl XXXIII the next year, over the Atlanta Falcons, in Elway's final game before retiring. After an NFC win by the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, the AFC continued its winning ways, with wins by the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.

The Patriots dominate the early 2000s

The Patriots became the dominant team of the early 2000s, winning the championship in three of the first five years of the decade. In Super Bowl XXXVI Super Bowl MVP quarterback Tom Brady led his team to a 20–17 upset victory over the Rams. The Patriots also went on to win Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX. After championships by AFC rivals Pittsburgh and Indianapolis in Super Bowls XL and XLI, respectively, the Patriots responded in 2007 an undefeated regular season - only the second in modern NFL history and the first with a sixteen game schedule - which included a road win over the defending champion Colts. Despite the regular season performance, the Patriots were beaten by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The Steelers won their second championship of the decade with a victory in Super Bowl XLIII.

File:Stamp-ctc-first-super-bowl.jpg
The first Super Bowl was played in 1967, as commemorated by this stamp issued in 1999 by the United States Postal Service featuring a ticket for that first game.

The following trends occur regarding Super Bowl games:

  • Teams winning the coin toss are 22–21 (.512) overall, but 3–10 (.231) in the last 13 years.
  • Teams scoring first are 28–15 (.651); 14–7 (.667) with a touchdown, 13–8 (.619) with a field goal and 1–0 with a safety.
  • Teams scoring 32+ points are 18–0; 30+ points, 21–1 (.955); 20+ points, 38–11 (.776); under 20 points, 5–32 (.135); under 14 points, 0–17.
  • Touchdowns have been scored in every game to date.
  • Field goals have been converted in 41 of 43 Super Bowls to date.
  • Teams leading after one quarter are 22–10 (.688). Eleven Super Bowls have been tied at the end of the first quarter.
  • Teams leading at halftime are 33–8 (.805). Two Super Bowls have been tied at halftime.
  • Teams leading after three quarters are 36–6 (.857). One Super Bowl has been tied at the end of the third quarter.
  • Teams shutout in the first half are 0–11; in the second half 1–7 (.125).
  • Teams with lower-numbered seeds are 14–12 (.538) and NFC teams have won 0 of 8 Super Bowls matching same-numbered seeds, which thus far have always been #1 vs. #1. Playoff seedings were first instituted in the 1975 season.
  • When the game matches two teams that played each other during the regular season, the regular season loser is 7–5 (.583), and 5–1 (.458) the last six times this has happened.
  • Twenty-three Super Bowls have seen both teams hold the lead at least once.
  • There has never been a Super Bowl overtime, although three games have been tied in the final minute.
  • There has never been a Super Bowl shutout; every Super Bowl participant to date has scored at least 3 points.
  • No Super Bowl has ever been scoreless at halftime.
  • Teams gaining a double-digit lead (10 points or more) during the game are 38–1 (.974). The lone team to lose was Denver in Super Bowl XXII. Four Super Bowls haven't had such a point difference.
  • No team or coach has ever won more than two consecutive Super Bowls.
  • No coach has ever won a Super Bowl with two different clubs. However, five coaches have taken two different clubs to the Super Bowl and four have won at least once with one of the teams: Don Shula with the Colts (0–1) and Dolphins (2–3), Bill Parcells with the Giants (2–0) and Patriots (0–1), Mike Holmgren with the Packers (1–1) and Seahawks (0–1), and Dick Vermeil with the Eagles (0–1) and Rams (1–0). Dan Reeves is the exception, having taken both the Broncos (3 times) and Falcons (once) to the Super Bowl, but losing every appearance with both teams. Reeves was, however, a two-time Super Bowl winner earlier in his career with the Dallas Cowboys, once as a player-coach (Super Bowl VI), and later as a full-time assistant coach in Super Bowl XII.

For other Super Bowl facts and records, see List of Super Bowl records.

Security

The Super Bowl has been designated a National Special Security Event by the United States Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security every year since Super Bowl XXXVI, which was the first Bowl played following the September 11 attacks. That means that the stadium and surrounding area face increased security measures, especially on gameday. Among other things, this means that the once-ubiquitous blimps (according to NFL Films' Steven Sabol, Super Bowl XXI had four of them) have been grounded.

Television coverage and ratings

For many years, the Super Bowl has had a very large television audience in the U.S., and it is often the most watched television program of the year. The game tends to have high Nielsen television ratings which usually come in around a 40 rating and 60 share (i.e., on average, 40 percent of all U.S. households, and 60 percent of all homes tuned into television during the game). This means that on average, 80 to 90 million Americans are tuned into the Super Bowl at any given moment. It is also estimated that 130-140 million tune into some part of the game.[5]

A frequently-misquoted[6][7] figure from NFL press releases has led to the common perception that the Super Bowl has an annual global audience of around one billion people. In fact, the NFL states one billion as the game's potential worldwide audience – i.e. the number of people able to watch the game.[8] Independent studies suggest that the average global viewership is just over 100 million, the vast majority of whom are U.S. viewers.[6]

The highest-rated game according to Nielsen was Super Bowl XVI in 1982, which was watched in 49.1 percent of households (73 share) or 40,020,000 households at the time. Ratings for that game, a San Francisco victory over Cincinnati, may have been boosted by a large blizzard that affecting much of the northeastern United States on game day, keeping even more people than normal at home in front of the TV. Super Bowl XVI still ranks #4 on Nielsen's list of top-rated programs of all time, and 3 other Super Bowls (XII, XVII, and XX) made the top 10.[9] Super Bowl XLIII in 2009 holds the record for total U.S. viewership, attracting an average audience of 98.7 million and ranking second only to the final episode of M*A*S*H in 1983. Although the proliferation of cable and satellite television has undercut broadcast ratings somewhat in recent years, the game is still sufficiently popular that a number of networks actually schedule original programming during the game, such as independently produced halftime entertainment, simply to take advantage of a large audience already in front of the television. Other networks air reruns or syndicated programming to avoid wasting a potentially highly rated new episode.

Following Apple Computer's 1984 commercial introducing the Macintosh computer, directed by Ridley Scott, the broadcast of the Super Bowl became the premier showcase for high concept or simply extravagantly expensive commercials. [citation needed] Famous commercial campaigns include the Budweiser "Bud Bowl" campaign, and the 1999 and 2000 dot-com ads. Prices have increased each year, with advertisers paying as much as $3 million for a 30-second spot during Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. A segment of the audience tunes in to the Super Bowl solely to watch the creative commercials [citation needed].

Super Bowl on TV

Network Number broadcast Years broadcast Future scheduled telecasts
ABC[*] 7 1985, 1988, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2006
CBS 16 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 2001, 2004, 2007 2010
FOX 5 1997, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008 2011
NBC 16 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2009 2012

^ *: Not currently broadcasting NFL.
The first Super Bowl was simultaneously broadcast by CBS and NBC, with each network using the same video feed but providing its own commentary teams. Super Bowls I–VI were blacked out in the television markets of the host cities, due to league restrictions then in place.

Lead-out programming

See also: List of Super Bowl lead-out programs

The network that airs the Super Bowl typically takes advantage of the large audience to air an episode of a hit series (Friends, Grey's Anatomy, Survivor, The Simpsons, Malcolm in the Middle, Criminal Minds, House, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The X-Files, Alias, The Office) or to premiere the pilot of a promising new series (Airwolf, The Wonder Years, Family Guy, Davis Rules, The Good Life, The A-Team, American Dad, and Homicide: Life on the Street) in the lead-out slot, immediately following the Super Bowl and the post-game coverage. Note: Fox bundled the Family Guy and American Dad premieres with an episode of The Simpsons. [1]

Entertainment

Cancel the Super Bowl? That's like canceling Christmas!

— —Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie as himself in the 1977 film Black Sunday.[10]

Early Super Bowls/NFL Championships featured a halftime show consisting of marching bands from local colleges or high schools. But as the popularity of the game increased, so did the potential of exposure. This has led to the trend of popular singers and musicians performing during its pre-game ceremonies, the halftime show, or even just singing the national anthem of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner".[11] For example, Super Bowl XLI in 2007 featured Cirque du Soleil, Romero Britto, and Louie Vega during the pre-game ceremonies; Billy Joel performed the Star Spangled Banner; and Prince played during the halftime show. Unlike regular season or playoff games, thirty minutes are allocated for the Super Bowl halftime.

One especially memorable performance came in 2002, when U2 performed. During their second song, "Where the Streets Have No Name" the band played under a large projection screen which scrolled through names of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 generated controversy, when Justin Timberlake removed a piece of Janet Jackson's top, exposing her right breast with a star-shaped ring around the nipple. Timberlake and Jackson have maintained that the incident was accidental, calling it a "wardrobe malfunction." The game was airing live on CBS, and MTV (at the time, a corporate sister company of CBS within Viacom) produced the halftime show. Immediately after that moment, the director cut to a very wide-angle shot and cut to a commercial break. However, video captures of the moment in detail circulated quickly on the Internet. The NFL, embarrassed by the incident, permanently banned MTV from doing another halftime show in any capacity. This also led to the FCC tightening controls on indecency and fining CBS and CBS-owned stations a total of US $550,000 for the incident. The fine was later reversed in July, 2008.

Initially, it was sort of a novelty and so it didn't quite feel right. But it was just like, this is the year. ... Bands of our generation, you can sort of be seen on a stage like this or, like, not seen. There's not a lot of middle places. It is a tremendous venue.

— —Bruce Springsteen explaining why he turned down several invitations to play at the Super Bowl before finally agreeing to appear in Super Bowl XLIII.[12]

Other halftime shows:

Except for Super Bowl XXXIX, the famous "I'm Going to Disney World/Disneyland" advertising campaign took place at every Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXI. Typically, Disney ran the ad several times during the game showing several players from both teams practicing the catch-phrase. The campaign had been restarted for Super Bowl XLI.

Venue

Looking toward Ford Field the night of Super Bowl XL.

Twenty-five out of forty-two Super Bowls have been played in one of three locations: New Orleans, Louisiana (nine times), the Greater Miami area (nine total), and the Greater Los Angeles area (seven total). These three "big" hosts are then followed by Tampa, Florida and San Diego, California: San Diego has hosted three games, while Tampa hosted its fourth on February 1, 2009.

Miami has been selected to host Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, Arlington, Texas in 2011, and Indianapolis in 2012. Although Hurricane Katrina badly damaged the Louisiana Superdome and the city of New Orleans, the stadium has since been renovated. Some city officials have put in a bid for the 2013 Super Bowl. The last time the Los Angeles area hosted the game was Super Bowl XXVII in 1993. The league's two teams vacated the city in 1995: the Raiders moved back to Oakland, California, and the Rams moved to St. Louis, Missouri. (No Super Bowl has ever been held in an area which lacks an NFL team; hence Los Angeles would be an unlikely choice as long as it lacks a team.)

No team has played the Super Bowl in their home stadium. The closest have been the San Francisco 49ers who played Super Bowl XIX in Stanford Stadium rather than Candlestick Park, and the Los Angeles Rams who played Super Bowl XIV in the Rose Bowl rather than the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The only other Super Bowl venue which wasn't the home stadium to an NFL team at the time was Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas: the Houston Oilers used to play there, but they moved to the Astrodome several years prior to Super Bowl VIII. The Orange Bowl was the only AFL stadium to host a Super Bowl, II and III. It is also the only stadium to host consecutive Super Bowls. Super Bowl IX was the last NFL game played at its venue: the New Orleans Saints' last season at Tulane Stadium was 1974, and the game was played there (and not at the newly built Louisiana Superdome) at the end of the season in early 1975. Tulane Stadium was the first of three Super Bowl venues to have been demolished: it was torn down in 1979. The others are Tampa Stadium (demolished in 1999) and the Miami Orange Bowl (demolished 2008).

Only three Super Bowls have been played in northern cities; two in the Detroit area (Super Bowl XVI at Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, and Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in Detroit), and one in Minneapolis (Super Bowl XXVI). However, all three were played inside domed stadiums. There has never been a Super Bowl scheduled to be played outside in cold temperatures. The northernmost Super Bowl ever played outdoors was Super Bowl XIX, hosted by Stanford Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Super Bowl XLVI will also be played in a northern city, Indianapolis, Indiana. The new Lucas Oil Stadium has a retractable roof, which presumably will not be retracted when the game is played in February 2012.

On March 5, 2006, Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, a "cold weather" city, was awarded the rights to host Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. However, the game was contingent on the successful passage of two sales taxes in Jackson County, Missouri on April 4, 2006. The first tax would have funded improvements to Arrowhead, home of the Chiefs and neighboring Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals Major League Baseball team. The second tax would have allowed the construction of a "rolling roof" between the two stadiums.[13] However, the second tax failed to pass. With increased opposition by local business leaders and politicians, Kansas City eventually withdrew its request to host the game by May 25, 2006.[14] Before that, Super Bowl XLIV, scheduled for January 2010, was withdrawn from New York City's proposed West Side Stadium, also to have been a retractable roof facility, because the city, state, and proposed tenants New York Jets could not agree on funding. The game was then awarded to Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Selection process

The location of the Super Bowl is chosen by the NFL well in advance, usually three to five years before the game. Cities place bids to host a Super Bowl. Candidate cities are evaluated in terms of stadium renovation and ability to host a Super Bowl.[15] Then the NFL owners meet to make a selection on the site. The sites for the next three Super Bowls have been determined, up to Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. On October 16, 2007, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suggested that a future Super Bowl might be played in London, probably at Wembley Stadium.[16] The game has never been played in a region which lacks an NFL franchise. (Seven Super Bowls have been played in Los Angeles, but none since the Los Angeles Raiders and Los Angeles Rams both relocated elsewhere in 1995.)

Home team designation

The designated "home team" alternates between the NFC team in odd-numbered games (the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009), and the AFC team in even-numbered games (the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in February 2008).[17][18] This alternation was initiated with the first Super Bowl, when the Green Bay Packers of the NFL were the designated home team.

Since Super Bowl XIII in January 1979, the home team is given the choice of jerseys, colored or white. Formerly, the designated home team was specified to wear their colored jerseys; this resulted in Dallas donning their less familiar blue jerseys for Super Bowl V.

While most of the home teams in the Super Bowl have chosen to wear their colored jerseys, there have been four exceptions; the Cowboys twice (XIII & XXVII), the Washington Redskins (XVII), and the Pittsburgh Steelers (XL). The Cowboys (since 1965) and Redskins (since the arrival of coach Joe Gibbs in 1981) have traditionally worn white jerseys at home. Meanwhile, the Steelers, who have always worn their black jerseys at home since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, opted for the white jerseys after winning three consecutive playoff games on the road, wearing white. The Steelers' decision was contrasted with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The Patriots had worn white jerseys at home during the 1985 season, but after winning road playoff games against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins wearing red jerseys, New England opted to wear red for the Super Bowl as the designated home team. Generally the "home team" holds its practices the week before the game at the host team's practice facility and the "away team" practices at a nearby college or other practice facility in the area.[citation needed] For example, for Super Bowl XLII, the "home" New England Patriots practiced at the Arizona Cardinals practice facility, and the "visiting" New York Giants practiced at nearby Arizona State University. [citation needed] However, whenever the Super Bowl has been held in New Orleans, the NFC team has practiced at the facilities of the New Orleans Saints, an NFC team, regardless of whether the NFC team has been the designated home or visiting team. The AFC team has generally practiced at Tulane University for those same games.

Stadiums to host the Super Bowl

Name Location # hosted Years hosted
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, California 2 1967, 1973
Miami Orange Bowl Miami, Florida 5 1968, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1979
Tulane Stadium New Orleans, Louisiana 3 1970, 1972, 1975
Rice Stadium Houston, Texas 1 1974
Rose Bowl Pasadena, California 5 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1993
Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, Louisiana 6 1978, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1997, 2002
Pontiac Silverdome Pontiac, Michigan 1 1982
Tampa Stadium Tampa, Florida 2 1984, 1991
Jack Murphy/Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, California 3 1988, 1998, 2003
Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphin Stadium/Landshark Stadium Miami Gardens, Florida 4 1989, 1995, 1999, 2007
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, Minnesota 1 1992
Georgia Dome Atlanta, Georgia 2 1994, 2000
Sun Devil Stadium Phoenix-Tempe, Arizona 1 1996
Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Florida 2 2001, 2009
Reliant Stadium Houston, Texas 1 2004
ALLTEL/Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Jacksonville, Florida 1 2005
Ford Field Detroit, Michigan 1 2006
University of Phoenix Stadium Phoenix-Glendale, Arizona 1 2008
Stanford Stadium Palo Alto, California 1 1985

italics indicate a now-demolished stadium

Future Super Bowl host stadiums

2010 - Landshark Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida (5)

2011 - Dallas Cowboys New Stadium, Arlington, Texas (1)

2012 - Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana (1)

The city of New Orleans has submitted a bid to host Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 at the Louisiana Superdome.[19] If successful, it will be the first time that New Orleans would host the Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 and after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The NFL will vote on the city for the game in May 2009.[19] New Orleans will compete with Miami, Florida, Glendale, Arizona and possibly Tampa, Florida[20] to host the game.

Tampa Bay is also in the running to host Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.[21]

London, England is reportedly bidding to host a Super Bowl in the near future at Wembley Stadium,[22] but commissioner Roger Goodell has denied such negotiations due to enormous outcry from NFL fans.[23] A source told FOXSports.com to expect the NFL to consider playing February 2017's Super Bowl LI in London, as Super Bowls XLIV through XLVII are booked for stadiums in the United States.[24]

Super Bowl L is planned possibly for Los Angeles to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the first game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum even if the city does not have an NFL franchise.[21][24] If Los Angeles were to host the game, it may be held at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, or new stadium such as the proposed Los Angeles Stadium in the City of Industry.[25] The NFL has not had an NFL franchise in the city since the 1995 NFL season and has not played a Super Bowl in the city since 1993.

Cities/Regions to host Super Bowl

Name # hosted Years hosted
Miami Area 9 1968, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1979, 1989, 1995, 1999, 2007
New Orleans 9 1970, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1997, 2002
Greater Los Angeles Area 7 1967, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1993
Tampa 4 1984, 1991, 2001, 2009
San Diego 3 1988, 1998, 2003
Houston 2 1974, 2004
Detroit Area 2 1982, 2006
Atlanta 2 1994, 2000
Phoenix area 2 1996, 2008
Minneapolis 1 1992
Jacksonville 1 2005
San Francisco Bay Area 1 1985

Future Super Bowl host cities/regions

2010 - Miami (10)

2011 - Arlington (Dallas-Ft.Worth Metro) (1)

2012 - Indianapolis (1)

NFL trademark issues

The NFL is vigilant on stopping what it says is unauthorized commercial use of its trademarked terms "NFL," "Super Bowl," or "Super Sunday"; as a result, many events and promotions timed to the game but not sanctioned by the NFL are forced to refer to it with colloquialisms such as "The Big Game," or other generic descriptions.[26]

The NFL claims that the use of the phrase "Super Bowl" implies an NFL affiliation, and on this basis the league asserts broad rights to restrict how the game may be shown publicly; for example, the league says Super Bowl showings are prohibited in churches or at other events that "promote a message"; and venues that do not regularly show sporting events cannot show the Super Bowl on any television screen larger than 55 inches.[27] Some critics say the NFL is exaggerating its ownership rights by stating that "any use is prohibited", as this contradicts the broad doctrine of fair use in the United States.[27]

In 2008, legislation was proposed by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) "to provide an exemption from exclusive rights in copyright for certain nonprofit organizations to display live football games, and "for other purposes."[28]

In 2006, the NFL made an attempt to trademark "The Big Game" as well. However, it withdrew the application in 2007 due to growing commercial opposition to the move, mostly from fans of both Stanford and Cal who compete in The Big Game which concludes their Pac-10 season.[29]

See also

References

  1. ^ "USDA Offers Food Safety Advice for Your Super Bowl Party". U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  2. ^ "'The Big One' back again". The Herald Democrat. 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2007-02-07. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Text "last Southerland" ignored (help)
  3. ^ Rex W. Huppke (2007-01-30). "Legends of the Bowl" (html). Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2007-01-31. Lamar Hunt, who died in December, coined the term Super Bowl in the late 1960s after watching his kids play with a Super Ball, the bouncy creation of iconic toy manufacturer Wham-O.
  4. ^ ""Titletown"". Retrieved 2009-01-31.; Jack Yuenger first coined Green Bay "Titletown" after the team's 1961 NFL championship, a 37-0 triumph over the New York Giants.
  5. ^ Associated Press (2006-02-07). "Super Bowl 2nd-most watched show ever". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  6. ^ a b Rushin, Steve (2006-02-06). "A Billion People Can Be Wrong". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  7. ^ Super Bowl XL to Attract Close to 1 Billion Viewers Worldwide, Voice of America, February 3, 2006
  8. ^ Super Bowl XLI broadcast in 232 countries, NFL press release, February 3, 2007
  9. ^ "Television's Top-Rated Programs". Nielsen Media Research. 2000-04-30. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  10. ^ Dan Boone (2009-01-31). "Super Sad, Super Bowl: Playboy Bash Canned, Bunnies Blue". Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  11. ^ Super Bowl - Entertainment
  12. ^ Jenna, Fryer (2009-01-30). "Bruce Springsteen's Super Bowl Promise: "12-Minute Party" At Halftime". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
  13. ^ "Chiefs sign new lease with Jackson County, team awaits April vote". Kansas City Chiefs. 2006-01-24. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  14. ^ Associated Press (2006-05-25). "No rolling roof, no Super Bowl at Arrowhead". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  15. ^ "N.Y./N.J. Super Bowl in 2008 may not come to pass". USAToday. 2003-09-23. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
  16. ^ ESPN - Goodell says NFL to look into playing Super Bowl in London - NFL, Associated Press, ESPN, 2007-10-15, accessed 2009-01-26
  17. ^ "Which jerseys will Bears wear in Super Bowl?". 2007-01-22. Retrieved 2008-04-12. The Bears will be designated as the home team ... in Super Bowl XLI in Miami. The home team alternates every Super Bowl with the NFC representative serving as the home team in odd-numbered years and the away team in even-numbered years.
  18. ^ "XLII facts about Super Bowl XLII". 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2008-04-12. The AFC is the home team in this year's Super Bowl [Super Bowl XLII].
  19. ^ a b Associated Press (2009-03-27). "New Orleans submits big for 2013 Super Bowl". ESPN.com. Retrieved 3009-03-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/127440
  21. ^ a b "L.A. could host Super Bowl in 2016; Tampa in 2014?". NFL.com. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  22. ^ "NFL in talks on London Super Bowl". BBC Sports. 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  23. ^ ESPN News (2009-05-03). "Report: London eyes Super Bowl". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  24. ^ a b Marvez, Alex (2009-05-04). "All signs point to Favre returning". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  25. ^ Farmer, Sam (2008-11-09). "Team or no team, Los Angeles has a shot at 2016 Super Bowl". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  26. ^ Gardner, Eriq (2007-01-29). "Super Bowl, Super Trademarks: Protecting the NFL's IP". The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
  27. ^ a b Alter, Alexandra (2008-02-02). "God vs. Gridiron". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  28. ^ "Church Super Bowl Victory: Senators Hatch & Specter Score Touchdown with NFL Policy". Copyright Queen Blog. 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  29. ^ NFL sidelines its pursuit of Big Game trademark

Further reading

  • 2006 NFL Record and Fact Book. Time Inc. Home Entertainment. ISBN 1-933405-32-5.
  • Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. Harper Collins. ISBN 1-933405-32-5.
  • The Sporting News Complete Super Bowl Book 1995. ISBN 0-89204-523-X.
  • The Super Bowl: An Official Retrospective with DVD. Ballantine Books. 2005. ISBN 0-345-48719-2.
  • MacCambridge, Michael (2004). America's Game. Random House. ISBN 0-375-50454-0.
  • Chris Jones (February 2, 2005). "NFL tightens restrictions on Super Bowl advertisements". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  • John Branch (February 4, 2006). "Build It and They Will Come". The New York Times.
  • Super Bowl play-by-plays from USA Today. Last accessed September 28, 2005.
  • All-Time Super Bowl Odds from The Sports Network. Last accessed October 16, 2005.
  • 100 Greatest Super Bowl Moments by Kevin Jackson, Jeff Merron, and David Schoenfield; espn.com. Last accessed October 31, 2005.
  • Various Authors - "SI's 25 Lost Treasures" - Sports Illustrated, July 11, 2005 p.114.
  • "The Super Bowl I-VII." Lost Treasures of NFL Films. ESPN2. January 26, 2001.
  • "MTV's Super Bowl Uncensored". MTV. January 27, 2001.
  • "Talk Shows." CBS: 50 Years from Television City. CBS. April 27, 2002.
  • Dee, Tommy (January 2007). ""Super Bowl Halftime Jinx"". Maxim Magazine Online. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
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