Space In Super Demand Game Day

By Mickey Spagnola

            MIAMI – Space, that is always what seems to make such a big impression when attending one of these Super Bowls, and Super Bowl XLIV here at Sun Life Stadium certainly is no different.

            Unless you see for yourself, it’s hard to imagine all the space needed surrounding a stadium to successfully play host to a Super Bowl. Sure Cowboys Stadium likely will seat 100,000 people for next year’s Super Bowl XLV. But that is only part of the requirement. Those east and west end zone plazas certainly will help, but chances are all the auxiliary events taking place on game day, along with just operations equipment, will likely take up all the space surrounding Cowboys Stadium, including those parking lots immediately adjacent to the stadium.

            First figure, as North Texas transportation director Michael Morris pointed out Saturday, there must be a 300-foot security perimeter around the stadium. That’s 300 feet – the length of a football field, which possibly could shut down the roads running east and west to the north and south of Cowboys Stadium.

            Take Sunday for instance. When up on the 200-level ramps of Sun Life Stadium, for nearly as far as you can see, there are events taking place outside the stadium, including the NFL Tailgate with the Daughtry Band playing on a huge stage. There are corporate tents, security tents, a tent for a media work room, and these are just a few.

            If you really strain your eyes, you can about see where they have started parking cars in the lots, and even that is going to be a unique experience for those attending Super Bowl XLV. The NFL takes over the parking lots and sets the parking prices. Morris said the NFL will sell parking passes on their site as part of the Click and Park program, encouraging fans driving to the Super Bowl to buys these passes in advance.

            Those buying reserved parking in advance pay $63.50 and receive a parking pass, so on game day there is no delay exchanging money while entering the lots. For those unprepared and having to pay cash on game day, those passes increase to $75. Moriss also said the NFL will reserve as many parking spots as they sell, and then whatever is leftover becomes cash parking.

            But I am glad to report that unlike four years ago when we took the NFL media buses to the stadium, our bus driver this time followed instructions and used the assigned route given him. We got here with little delay, unlike last year when our driver took the wrong exit and drove us right into the regular game-day traffic. So a good start to the day.

            Sunny and 62 here nearly two hours before kickoff. The wind, though is blowing 10 mph and gusting to 18 mph. The gusts could cause the quarterbacks and kicks problems.

            Not sure what the outdoor temperature will be next Feb. 6 when Super Bowl XLV comes to North Texas, but can assure you the temperature at Cowboys Stadium will be 72 and there will be no wind.

            Hmmm, the NFL still is giving serious consideration for endorsing a Super Bowl at the new Giants and Jets Stadium, which will have no retractable roof. See where the temp right now in East Rutherford, N.J., is 33 degrees with tonight’s low expected to be 19.

            All this sure says something for playing a championship game indoors.