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The state Senate Economic Growth Committee Monday approved legislation to urge the National Football League to select the new Meadowlands Stadium as host to Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.
The NFL recently waived its requirement that cities bidding to host a Super Bowl have either a 50-degree minimum outdoor temperature in early February or a climate-controlled indoor field to allow the Giants and Jets to bid on behalf of their open-air Meadowlands stadium.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently offered support to the Meadowlands' case, telling the New York Daily News, "... Playing in the elements is central to the way the game of football is played," and "being able to do that and celebrate the game of football in the No. 1 market could have tremendous benefits."
Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), who district includes the Meadowlands, is sponsor of the legislation. "Next year the Meadowlands will be home to the NFL's newest stadium in its biggest market. It would be crazy to not put the biggest football game of the year on the league's biggest and best stage."Sarlo said the state would benefit not only from the publicity surrounding the game, but also from the revenues brought in through ticket and concession sales and increased economic activity at hotels and restaurants.
Other cities expected to compete for the game are Miami, Glendale, Tampa and Houston. A final decision will come during the league's spring meetings in Dallas in late May.
Sarlo noted that the 1958 NFL championship game between the New York Giants and Baltimore Colts – often called "The Greatest Game Ever Played" – took place in Yankee Stadium on Dec. 28.
"It's time to show the NFL that real football and real fans are both at their best when the mercury drops and the elements themselves are crucial to the game," Sarlo said.
The measure (SR-35) is cosponsored by Senate Republican Leader Thomas Kean (R-Union). It was approved by a 6-0 vote and moves to the full Senate for consideration.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
