The Super Bowl is big business on and off the field. We are all aware of how much advertisers spend to grab thirty or sixty seconds of your attention during the game but what about the cities that host the big game? They pull out their checkbooks too. Just like advertisers, they hope that investment returns big dividends with all the extra tourist and media attention that is focused on the host city.

New Orleans last hosted a Super Bowl in 2013 when the San Francisco 49ers played the Baltimore Ravens. You might remember that was the game where the lights went out. If you're wanting to see the "big game" in the Big Easy sometime soon, don't hold your breath.

Since the Super Bowl has already been awarded to cities through the year 2021 the best that New Orleans can hope for is a shot at the 2023 game. Through 2021, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles will host the Super Bowl and they all have new or upgraded facilities.

Jay Cicero with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation told the Louisiana Radio Network,

It really comes down to whether or not you have a new stadium. Or whether or not we can put together a business proposition that convinces the NFL to come back to New Orleans.

Why is it such a big deal to host the NFL Championship game? Money is the reason. If you ask economist with the NFL the average host city can expect a return of $700 million dollars. However, there does appear to be a little bit of voodoo in the math.

A report out of Houston suggests that the cities take for hosting the Super Bowl this year will be slightly less than $700 million. By slightly less, the speculation is a return of $100 million is more likely. This is after you take into account the $50 million the city spent to secure and host the event.

Cicero says the NFL outlook on host cities has changed over the years. It used to be a slam-dunk for New Orleans to host the game. After all, there are a lot of reasons why people want to come to New Orleans.

A fantastic downtown facility all within walking distance of the convention center, which is another big factor. The French Quarter. The CBD hotels. Everyone wants what New Orleans has but unfortunately that's not all it's about anymore.

NFL owners now want to show the communities they are holding hostage with huge stadium deals funded by taxpayers that the investment is worth it. Since there are so many new facilities in NFL cities the game will have to make the rounds before New Orleans will even be considered as a host city.

 

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