Getty ImagesRoger Goodell says the NFL is ready for another Ice Bowl.
A year from now, when the Super Bowl is played in New Jersey, it will mark the first time that the game has been played outdoors in a cold climate. But Goodell said at a New York City press conference today that bad weather won’t be a problem.
“We’re going to embrace the weather, embrace New York and New Jersey,” Goodell said, via the New York Daily News. “We are also prepared for all alternatives, and that includes the weather, and the potential for snow and ice.”
The NFL was faced with a string of logistical problems when an ice storm shut down roads in Dallas during Super Bowl week two years ago, although the game itself was played indoors. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said his city will be well prepared for the weather during all the pre-Super Bowl activities, and he endorsed football being played in the elements.
“That’s football, it’s meant to be played outdoors,” Bloomberg said.
Vince Lombardi would agree. But as much as Goodell is saying he’ll embrace the snow and ice, he’s probably hoping that New York has a warm spell a year from now.
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Goodell is setting a very dangerous precedent. All 32 cities deserve a shot at hosting the SB now, in my opinion, as long as they can accommodate the hotel requirements. Say goodbye to your paid vacation, NFL beat writers! Remember when you whined about Jacksonville? Can’t wait til the AFC & NFC North are in regular rotation!! Maybe all the phonies and fat-cats will stay home and fans of the actual participating teams can get their hands on more tickets.
So Pasadena and New Orleans will be vacant, while a football game will be played in New York?
Anything that makes money.
cant wait to legally bet on the overall super bowl winner in the pre-season at a Jersey racetrack and sit in the stands and root for my winning bet!
Another reason why this guys has to go. The more important game of the year cannot be decided by weather. I hope it snows 12 feet that week!!!
This is SO dumb, it almost ranks up there with Bud Selig awarding the All-Star game winner home field advantage in the world series.
Goodell should get ready for “snow and ice” for this years SB. I’m sure he will get a very “chilly” reception from some Saints fans when traveling around New Orleans.
The first outdoor Superbowl will be the last outdoor Superbowl.
And to think the NFL owners are paying this guy millions to make decisions like this. Even my 2 year old knows NOBODY wants to play or watch football in person in 20 degree temperatures.
obviously, cold-weather outdoors….
Super Bowls in Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, and Green Bay next?
seanpbeck says:
Jan 24, 2013 3:41 PM
Goodell is setting a very dangerous precedent. All 32 cities deserve a shot at hosting the SB now, in my opinion, as long as they can accommodate the hotel requirements. Say goodbye to your paid vacation, NFL beat writers! Remember when you whined about Jacksonville? Can’t wait til the AFC & NFC North are in regular rotation!! Maybe all the phonies and fat-cats will stay home and fans of the actual participating teams can get their hands on more tickets.
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Nope. There is no “dangerous precedent” being sent. This is NYC and every other place is not.
All football games should be played outdoors, especially the Super Bowl.
I don’t like the idea of the Superbowl being played where the elements could potentially influence the outcome.
It’s the 2 best teams on a neutral field, in a neutral environment.
As someone has said, what is to stop all 31 NFL cities biding for the game now?
Where will you be sitting as you “embrace the snow and ice” Roger?
Wouldn’t a Super Bowl in Lambeau be great. Of all the crappy things Goodell has done so far, that could be a highlight of his tenure.
You better be ready to embrace it Goodell, if you’re going to grant the cold-northeast a superbowl than you’re not going to have a choice in the matter.
I understand the vintage aspect of a big-time football game played outdoors in the fierceness of the elements, there’s undoubtedly an allure to it. If you ask me though, for the sake of the fans at the stadium, the players on the field, and the overall entertainment factor of the game…superbowls would benefit more by taking place in warmer regions of our country. Fans love the way this game is turning towards offenses that “air it out,” and a high-scoring affair with players that aren’t frozen solid is exactly what the people want to see, not 2 teams handing the ball off every play while sludging through the mud to a 13-7 final score.
The New England Patriots are undefeated in the snow since 2001. Bring on the snow !
Who cares how cold it is at the Super Bowl. Nobody thinks football is an indoor sport, and 99.9% of fans watch it on TV. It could be 40 below and it would still be a sell-out.
For all those who say weather shouldn’t be a factor, should the SB only be in domed stadiums then? Miami had rain one year, is that ok? The only weather elements that would be bad for the Super Bowl is Fog or lightning. Snow is a part of the game in the north, it has helped create memorable moments and auras. Would Lambeau be the same if it never snowed? I for one think every stadium should get a chance as long as the city has the infrastructure to handle it. Chicago, NY, New England, Philly, Seattle, Denver are all cities that can handle the Super Bowl as well as most of the cities that get it now and would be better suited than Jax. The NE corridor of the US has some of the densest (yes you can use this word either way) populations in the Country it is time to reward them, and not just NY/NJ
allnflfan says:
Jan 24, 2013 3:51 PM
The first outdoor Superbowl will be the last outdoor Superbowl.
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Just curious, how many super bowls have you watched?
I totally agree that football should be played in the elements. real football players play in the cold, and real football fans sit and watch it in the cold. can’t wait for NY superbowl!
That’s easy for Roger to say. He’ll be sitting in a nice warm luxury box with blankets, unlimited hot drinks, and arrives in a limo. Then again, since 95% of the tickets go to corporate sponsors, other owners, so-called VIPs, celebrities, and politicians maybe they’ll stay home instead of sitting in the cold and snow.
I really hope NJ gets the mother of all snow/ ice storms just so it blows up in Roger’s face.
People really think this means some flyover states will get a Super Bowl? Lol.
allnflfan:
You actually think that next year’s game will be the first “outdoor” Super Bowl? Watch football much?
This is the time of year when the “casuals” crawl out of the woodwork…
ampats says: Jan 24, 2013 4:02 PM
The New England Patriots are undefeated in the snow since 2001. Bring on the snow !
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Playing in the cold weather really helped them last week – didn’t it?
Not going to be too famous fannies sitting in the stands that CBS can use as a cross promotion. Just Bill from Buffalo finally getting a chance to go to a SuperBlow on the cheap.
Why would you not want weather to influence the outcome? That’s one awesome part of the game! How many HS’s play in a Dome? No team should be exempt or coddled to play in good weather or dome.
Football is a game that should be played in the elements. With your socks pulled up. And no touching.
SeanPBeck got it right:
A) if cold weather doesn’t matter than as long as you can provide lodging for an adequate number of fans, than all 32 teams stadiums should be in consideration. Attractions/entertainment should play no part in considerations, because after all, its supposed to be about the 2 teams and the game. Not which city can provide more distractions and/or ways to get in trouble for the players (see: soliciting an undercover cop for prostitution the night before the Superbowl; Atlanta)
B) maybe this way it truly will become about the fans and the teams and the game itself. I know it sounds terrible to go to a Superbowl in Cleveland, but maybe the celebrities and corporations would all begin to shy away from attending in turn leaving ticket demand only to true fans of both teams, hopefully driving ticket prices down and making ths once-in-a-lifetime event more obtainable for the “common man”. Making the game less of an event to be seen attending and more of a fan based event.
Pipe dreams
So will the Packers!!!
Not to mention, that is one of the worst stadiums in the league. Whoever designed it should give the money back. Terrible parking, terrible ingress/egress, terrible sightlines, horrible bathrooms, mediocre concessions, limited mass transit, etc. Did I mention this is one of the worst stadiums in the league…
The NFL could hold the Super Bowl in Antarctica and people would still pay $3000 per ticket to get in, and another billion would watch.
Oh, boo hoo… It’s snowing outside! It’s cold! This isn’t week 2, THIS IS THE DAMN SUPERBOWL. Where the best play the best and prove they’re the best. Don’t tell me to wuss out over the weather.
fsf7 says: Jan 24, 2013 4:17 PM
ampats says: Jan 24, 2013 4:02 PM
The New England Patriots are undefeated in the snow since 2001. Bring on the snow !
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Playing in the cold weather really helped them last week – didn’t it?
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What is it about the word “snow” that you don’t understand?
Just a stupid decision…
horrible idea, only reason NY got it is cause its a big city, the game wont be the same, keep it in dome stadiums or warm cities, bring it back to indianapolis, SB week is a blast!! all should partake in it
Anyone see a marquee game that got ruined by torrential rain and/or snow? Yup, at least that is a potential for the biggest game of the year now…
Awesome.
its NYC…they pack it in for new years…why not for the superbowl!! its just cold temps snow and wind…get over it…get some gloves…and some drinks
I guess the point about weather is that a team may have an advantage over another in cold weather. I don’t think dome teams have an advantage over outdoor teams playing in a neutral dome. The heat e.g. In Tampa, isn’t a factor in February.
As for the rain- like in Miami a few years back affects- both teams. There aren’t any teams I can think of who consistently play in heavy rain. So I don’t think any team has an advantage in the rain.
It comes down to wanting to see the best team win. For me that means any potential advantage has to be eliminated.
goodell says “bad weather wont be a problem”
someone was killed in dallas in that freak storm days before the superbowl just 2 seasons ago from ice falling off the stadium.
but i guess loss of human life isnt a problem for ol Goodell.
He’s gearing up to announce that Super Bowl 50 will be at Lambeau.
I love the idea. Weather, no matter how bad, will not “decide” the winner. Both teams have to play in the same environment, the playing field is equal. I always found it strange that more props arent given to a 10-6 team who wins 5 games in the snow compared to a 10-6 team who plays in a dome and doesnt see snow all season. If anything, I feel domes should be off limits for the Big Game. Football and the environment go together like peas and carrots.
Good ole Goodell and his hypocrisy!
He moaned and cried like a baby about the ONE time it rained during a Super Bowl half time here…to the point of basically removing Miami from the usual 5 year rotation that he basically stated that IF Sun Life Stadium in Miami does not get a partial roof, they will no longer participate for hosting Super Bowls….but yet, he is willing to “embrace the elements” in the North, but not in the South.
Its about damn time! Indoor football is for the arena leagues
Hopefully a dome team and a warm city team make it! Want to see a 3-0 game!
“We’re going to embrace the weather, embrace New York and New Jersey.”
And yet when Miami had rain for the first time in 10 Super Bowls, they wagged their finger and continue threatening to take all future games elsewhere unless the Dolphins add a canopy to the stadium.
Worst commissioner in the history of sports.
Goodell doesn’t really car about the weather. The reason he had a problem with the rain in Miami was to create leverage to threaten the city of Miami with the revenue loss that comes with no longer hosting the Super Bowl and forcing their hand to fund upgrades for the stadium’s owner: one of the only thirty-two people whom Roger Goodell really cares about.
Pfft, player safety? Not if it hurts a single owner’s pocket!
kaferwerks says:
Jan 24, 2013 4:56 PM
goodell says “bad weather wont be a problem”
someone was killed in dallas in that freak storm days before the superbowl just 2 seasons ago from ice falling off the stadium.
but i guess loss of human life isnt a problem for ol Goodell.
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It is terrible that someone died, however the difference is that Texas is not an area prepared for snow as it is such a rare occurrence. Meanwhile, in the dead of winter NY expects the snow. Would never be an issue in NY/NJ.
1. The game is built to be played in the Snow, rain, and mud. The playoff games are sometimes played in those conditions. Why shouldn’t the Super Bowl be played in those conditions.
2. It is about time we see a football game that is not played in a dome, or in Florida.
Oh, one other thing, at least New Jersey would be able to handle snow/ice unlike DALLAS. Sure, it rarely Snows in Dallas, but the city should have been prepared just in case.
Bloomberg and Goodell are both horse’s rear ends
The NFL should start the season in October. That would push the Super Bowl into March which would open up more northern cities to host.
Seriously. It would be so easy to move the start of the season. Not for next year but for the future. It would also mean fewer important games are played during the holidays.
I hope it’s -10 degrees with a wind chill of -60 degrees. The world would feel bad for the freezing players and coaches and we won’t have to deal with such stupidity again. Then Goodell can deal with more lawsuits due to unnecessary frostbite. Goodell has lost my respect with his asinine logic over the last couple years. The Superbowl in New Jersey takes the idiocy cake-
Proof positive that money talks, and that the game itself is secondary.
Really?
Goodell is a moron.. If it was really meant to be played in the snow he should be advocating Febuary Outdoor Football from Pop Warner to the High Schools and the colleges. Yeah that went over really wel.
I don’t totally hate the idea, but I do totally hate NYC and everything about it.
Another brilliant move by that idiot Goodell. Here’s hoping for a blizzard on game day.
Another idiot move by the great dissolver of the NFL
Just so everybody knows, Goodell doesn’t make decisions, the owners do.
Goodell speaks on behalf of the owners, he’s the messenger.
This really is a slippery slope, how are they going to explain to cities like Buffalo and Cincinnati that they won’t be hosting a Super Bowl?
What makes them think they will be prepared in NY when they weren’t even prepared in Dallas?