NFL Rumors: Super Bowl could move to Texas; California set to lose millions due to COVID rules
The Super Bowl is scheduled to come to California this year, though Texas is now peeping in to invite the lot if the party cannot get started on the West Coast. Super Bowl LVI, at the conclusion of the 2021 NFL season, is supposed to take place on the 13th of February 2022.
The venue selected for the 52nd iteration of the Super Bowl is in Inglewood, California, at the magnificent SoFi Stadium, home to both the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers.
But there is a possibility that as COVID ramps up, stricter rules in California (as compared to Texas) could prompt a relocation of the game.
THIS JUST IN: California's indoor mask mandate was set to expire on Jan. 15. It has just been extended to Feb. 15.
Super Bowl LVI is scheduled to take place Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium but the NFL is looking at possible alternate venues, including AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
NFL Rumors: Difference in COVID rules and situation in California and Texas being taken into account for hosting Super Bowl
Because of the strictness of COVID rules in California, Texas has already benefited from a traditional Californian Bowl game being moved to the state of Texas last year.
In 2021, the Rose Bowl between Alabama and Notre Dame was not held in Pasadena due to prevailing restrictions and was instead moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Rose Bowl game has been played in Pasadena, CA every year except two.
The 1942 Rose Bowl was moved to Durham, NC due to fears of Japan attacks on the West Coast.
Due to California COVID restrictions, The 2021 Rose Bowl was played at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on January 3rd. https://t.co/uGY5XOEAZD
The NFL, according to sources, is exploring a similar move for this year's Super Bowl should restrictions on fan attendance mean a lower possibility of football on the biggest football day of the year.
At the moment, current rules in California dictate that a person must either be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID report should they wish to attend a public event. Mask mandates for indoor events have further been extended until the 15th of February, two days after the Super Bowl.
Dr. Mark Ghaly extended California’s indoor mask mandate — which was set to run through Jan. 15 — through at least Feb. 15, citing a surge in COVID cases that has pushed the state’s test positivity rate to a whopping 21.3% bit.ly/3pZUSiz
In such an event, it might alienate fans who are unvaccinated and might not wish to take a test. Texas, specifically AT&T Stadium, could stand to benefit in such a scenario as it has taken a firm stance against vaccine mandates and mask mandates.
If this were to happen, it would be a loss to the California economy and a huge boost to Texas. For instance, the economic impact of the 2020 Super Bowl stood at approximately 572 million USD.
"Gov. Greg Abbott bars mandates for vaccinations and masks in Texas." by BY DAVE MONTGOMERY via NYT New York Times ift.tt/3jcFKcW
Perhaps sensing economic losses, California has moved to tamp down on such speculation. The executive secretary to the Governor of the state put out a tweet saying that they hope to see one of the California teams in the Super Bowl and that it will be held in Los Angeles.
Looking forward to the @RamsNFL or @49ers being in the SuperBowl here in CA - thank @NFL for the partnership with @CAgovernor @LACountyBOS @LACity twitter.com/jeremybwhite/s…
It must also be noted that the NFL has so far let games go on at SoFi Stadium despite vaccines and testing mandates being in place throughout the season. California team representatives are also meeting with the NFL to ensure that the Super Bowl can go proceed in the state.
Super Bowl LVI will be held at SoFi Stadium. Officials from the NFL, Rams, Chargers and city, including the Rams' Kevin Demoff, Chargers' A.G. Spanos, SoFi Stadium's Jason Gannon and the NFL's Katie Keenan will meet Thursday, January 13 at SoFi Stadium and also address the media.
The NFL would also see this as its top priority after building SoFi stadium and allowing two franchises to relocate there. Furthermore, rescheduling at the last moment causes a logistical and marketing nightmare, in terms of actual COVID positivity rates (Texas at 34.67% far outstrips California at 21.3%).
Jan. 5, 2022
Texas reports 39,943 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Texas, since the pandemic began, to 4,018,044. Today, @TexasDSHS says the statewide positivity rate stands at 34.67%. #khou11
The NFL might choose to move forward with California in that instance as stricter requirements might still be a better option than risking becoming a COVID hotspot in the near future in Texas if positivity rates track current trends.