Could Cold Weather Affect Super Bowl?

This year's Super Bowl will be a first.  The game will be played in an open-air stadium in a cold-weather city.  New York is not the first northern city to host the game, but it is the first to do it in an open-air venue.  Twice Detroit has hosted the Super Bowl, but the Pontiac Silverdome and Ford Field are indoor facilities.  Making matters worse is the "Polar Vortex" which has made this winter especially cold.  It is very likely we could see the first Super Bowl played in the snow.

Normally, the biggest football game of the year and one of the most-watched sporting events worldwide is played in the balmy breezes of Miami, San Diego and Tampa; the hot deserts of Phoenix and LA; or the safety of domes in New Orleans and Atlanta.  Instead, Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson might have to battle elements as well as secondaries to complete passes.  Some experts think that Seattle holds an advantage in bad weather with their commitment to defense and running the ball.  However, I can guarantee that even the Seahawks would probably prefer weather in Florida or California over what we could see in New York.

The weather presents other problems for the NFL.  Ticket prices could fall as patrons will not want to brave the snow to watch a game, though it should still sell out with no problem. How will pregame activities in New York be affected?  What about the half-time show with Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers?  Pepsi spent a lot of money for a show that may be hindered.

New York is one of the great host cities in the world.  There is no doubt that they will roll out the red carpet and put their all into this event.  But, while the temperatures may seem warm to the Cheeseheads in Green Bay, most will wonder if they can trade places with the Pro Bowl and play in Hawaii.