Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Associated Press
IRVING, Texas
Ready for an outdoor Super Bowl in cold, possibly snowy weather? Thinking that new overtime rule adopted for playoff games should be used in the regular season, too?
NFL owners will discuss those things and more today.
The 2014 Super Bowl site definitely will be picked. It’s widely expected to go to the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands stadium that will become home to the Jets and Giants this season, although Miami and Tampa, Fla., also are bidding.
The new stadium for the New York City area would seem like a natural site for the NFL’s marquee event, especially with league headquarters in Manhattan.
Plus, the league has rewarded cities for building expensive new stadiums by giving them a Super Bowl.
But there’s a fundamental problem: the Meadowlands doesn’t have a roof and temperatures are usually in the 20s during early February in East Rutherford, N.J.
There’s even a league rule aimed at ensuring good weather, either by playing in a warm climate or by having a roof; the fact it was waived for this bid shows what a shoo-in it might be.
As for overtime, when owners last met, in March, they voted to change the sudden-death rule so that if a team losing the coin toss immediately gives up a field goal, they still get a chance to score and either tie it or win — but only in the playoffs.
There’s a sentiment that if the rule is good enough for the postseason, it should be done in the regular season.
“It is on the agenda for a ‘possible vote’ after consultation with the clubs,” said Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay, co-chairman of the competition committee.