Q: How was the decision made to play Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey and in a stadium that is not in a covered venue? Has any other Super Bowl been played in the North? — Kathy McDonough, Peachtree Corners
A: The NFL generally doesn't award Super Bowls to cold-weather cities, specifically ones that don't have a domed stadium, but it allowed New York/New Jersey and its new stadium to bid for Super Bowl XLVIII. Its theme was labeled "Make Some History" and played up the NFL's connection to the cold by including clips of famous games played in the snow and freezing temperatures. In May 2010, the NFL's 32 team owners, after four rounds of voting, selected New York/New Jersey over Tampa, which has hosted four Super Bowls, and South Florida, which has hosted 10. No Super Bowl has been played in a cold-weather city without a domed stadium. Detroit has hosted two Super Bowls, and Minneapolis and Indianapolis each have hosted one. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week that the league "will be prepared for the weather factor" for Super Bowl XLVIII, which is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2014, and added that the weather will "have an impact on future decisions for open-air, cold-weather sites." It was 39 degrees for Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans in 1972, the record low for a Super Bowl. MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, N.J., was completed in 2010 at a cost $1.6 billion and is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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