Sports Business Expert Unsure Super Bowl Will Return to Minnesota

One sports business expert isn't too sure Minnesota will be hosting the Super Bowl again any time soon.

ESPN's Darren Rovell thinks the weather could force this to be the last Super Bowl to come to the state.

Rovell tweeted Friday, saying, "This will be the last Super Bowl for Minnesota. Too much money at stake on Friday and Saturday for cold to keep corporate money away. League can't afford to do it with sponsors needing to activate effectively."

In Minneapolis, temperatures have been in the single digits, wind chills have been below zero and the city received a measurable amount of snow Saturday. Temperatures for game day are expected to be in the single digits.

Rovell questioned whether the winter wonderland is a good fit for the corporate dominated game.

"It's much more challenging, nothing to do with Minnesota, but much more challenging to have winter, colder cities in the rotation," Rovell said. "Many companies didn't show up here, or they decided to send fewer people."

Rovell said he was in Minnesota this week to experience all of the indoor events and outdoor festivities. Overall, he said he had a great experience.

Rovell stresses weather related problems have hurt other host cities, and he believes the weather does have an impact on corporate sponsors.

"As the business gets bigger and bigger, it becomes harder to have cities where it's harder for sponsors to say they're not going to come because they need a return on their investment," Rovell said.

Rovell applauded the city of Minneapolis and the Super Bowl Host Committee, saying it is the best Super Bowl city in terms of getting around town. The reporter also pointed out how nice Minnesotans are.

"I think the Minnesota Nice mentality is true. Everyone is smiling," Rovell said. "Everything that was in this city's control, as far as I'm concerned, was under control and ran well."

Whether the Bold North gets the big game in the future is still to be decided.

(snip)

The Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee issued a statement responding to Rovell's tweet.

"Apparently that reporter hasn't left his hotel room. Super Bowl visitors are arriving by the tens of thousands today at Super Bowl LIVE on Nicollet Mall and having a great time. We are so glad that Minnesotans and visitors from across the globe are enjoying the Bold North. Minnesota is shining bright on the world's largest stage," the statement read.

http://kstp.com/business/espn-darren-rovell-minnesota-super-bowl-return-/4771503/

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Oh well, as long as we paid for a multi million dollars edifice..