When the NFL awarded the 2014 Super Bowl to the New York City area in May 2010, it knew full well that it was the first time it was placing the marquee game outdoors in a cold-weather climate.
New York topped Tampa and Miami for the honor to the elation of New York Giants and New York Jets contingents, USA Today reported at the time. The game will be played on Feb. 2, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside of New York City.
Some players are not fans of the idea to have a cold-weather Super Bowl. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco made waves earlier this week when he called it "retarded."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are not among the nay-sayers. “We made this decision consciously, obviously not knowing what the weather would be, but football is meant to be played in the elements,” Goodell said last month.
It's expected to be a tourism boon for New Jersey and New York City as the region could see an estimated $550 million in tourism.
Bloomberg struck a similar chord, saying, "Some probably gulped and said, ‘You want to do it outside?' and we said, ‘Yes, we do. That's football, it's meant to be played outdoors."
New York City is planning a week of events leading up to the Super Bowl including a fan festival, the city has revealed.
Jets owner Woody Johnson was instrumental in rallying support for the location, as The New York Times reported after the decision was made:
“Why not,” Johnson said after the vote. “We play every other game in cold weather, rain and snow. Would I want to do it every year? Probably not. But 2014 sounds good.”
You can see a countdown to the 2014 Super Bowl, as well as more information about it, at http://nynjsuperbowl.com.
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