The NFL is Looking to Potentially Move Super Bowl from Los Angeles to Dallas Likely Due To Wuhan Virus Restrictions
Jose Nino
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According to a report by Ryan Glasspiegel of The New York Post, the NFL is looking at backup plans if Wuhan virus restrictions in the Los Angeles metropolitan area are not lifted. Such restrictions make the prospect of holding the Super Bowl, which is slated for February 13, 2021, less likely in the LA metro area.
According to WFAA, a Dallas Cowboys front-office source reported that the league has had “preliminary discussions” about moving the Super Bowl from SoFi Stadium to AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy informed WFAA that the backup plan has been explored, though he noted that this is not an extraordinary procedure.
“We plan on playing Super Bowl LVI as scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13,” McCarthy stated. “As part of our standard contingency planning process that we conduct for all regular and postseason games, we have contacted several clubs to inquire about stadium availability in the event we cannot play the Super Bowl as scheduled due to weather-related issues or unforeseen circumstances. Our planning process for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles is ahead of schedule and we look forward to hosting the Super Bowl there to culminate another fantastic NFL season for our fans and clubs.”
WFAA claimed that the City of Arlington “proactively” reached out to the NFL and offered to use AT&T Stadium to host the Super Bowl. AT&T Stadium was the site of the 2011 Super Bowl when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25.
Glasspiegel noted that the previous Rose Bowl was moved from Pasadena to AT&T Stadium.
Glasspiegel added “Los Angeles County does not have COVID-19 restrictions which would preclude the Super Bowl from being played in a full stadium.”
For example, on January 2, 2021, SoFi Stadium had over 70,000 fans in attendance for the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos game.
However, with the rising number of Omicron variant cases in the LA region, it remains to be seen if Los Angeles County and/or the state of California will turn to draconian restrictions
Although not as bold as Florida, Texas still remains one of the most open states in the nation.
In the worst case scenario, AT&T Stadium will be an easy fallback option for the NFL should California or LA County crack down on public venues to allegedly fight the new variant of the Wuhan virus.
However, recent reports show that the league is moving ahead with holding the Super Bowl in LA for the time being. Nevertheless, the ways state governments have responded to the Wuhan virus have shown that it’s possible many regular sporting events can be totally disrupted by drastic changes in public policy.
One of the beauties of the American federalist system is that when certain states pass insane policies other states can serve as a refuge through their sober policies that make it more amenable for economic and social activities to take place.
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