AS MANY AS FOUR SUPER BOWL EVENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE HELD IN VEGAS OVER THE NEXT 15 YEARS. FOLLOWING IS INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FIRST ONE.

SIN CITY, FOOTBALL ...AND MAYBE EVEN TAYLOR SWIFT?

In 1967, at an owner’s meeting discussing the first AFL-NFL pro football clash, it was Lamar Hunt, a founder of the American Football League and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs who suggested calling the game 'Super Bowl' (prompted by a popular toy at the time - the 'super ball').

57 years later, the Chiefs are back in the 'Big Game' playing the San Francisco 49ers in, of all places, Las Vegas. The NFL has since become a financial juggernaut - building a sub-par sport (with about 16 minutes of actual play) into a media behemoth capable of creating $6 billion in lost productivity due to 16 million Americans missing work the day after its championship game.

Following is only some of the impact of the .... 'Big Game' this year in Vegas.

THE NFL RULES
(a double entendre')

'Big Game' Advertising Guidelines:

In 1969, the National Football League (NFL) trademarked the term 'Super Bowl', meaning any commercial activity using those words is in violation of the phrase. Even the current $13 million per television minute does not purchase the right to use those two words. In addition to 'Super Bowl', the phrases 'Super Sunday' and 'Gameday' are protected, as are the more generic phrases 'Back to Football' and '1st and GOAL'. Journalists are allowed to use NFL marks and terms.

THE COST TO LAS VEGAS

In an unanimous vote, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has made a $40 million commitment to host Super Bowl LVIII*

The NFL suggested a $61 million budget. Las Vegas and Clark County will spend around $55 million for preparations with around $6 million in contingency funds available (only cost overruns are paid by the NFL). Vegas will sell corporate sponsorships to raise funding with only 750 game tickets available to help secure the total. This year, NBC sold all of its Super Bowl ad inventory and realized a record $6.5 million for its 30-second spots.

The budget:

$20.8 million will be spent on direct operating costs: Staff, sponsorship, promotional materials, public safety, advertising, marketing media, public relations, hospitality, offices, professional services and insurance.
$39.2 million is allocated for 'related costs': Stadium, hotels, meeting spaces, parking, transportation, events, tickets, volunteers, permits, practice facilities, technology and accreditation

$17 million will be reimbursed to the NFL.

The NFL also does not pay to use the Super Bowl stadium and controls and receives 100% of the revenue from all ticket sales, including suites.

THE BENEFIT

Over 300,000 visitors, 150,000 additional, are expected to spend $215 million on food, drinks, hotels and game-related items.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority suggests the total impact could reach $500 million with approximately $70 million in local and state tax revenue.

THE DOWN-SIDE

The Chinese New Year, which starts on the Saturday before the 'Big Game', often bring bring to town 'extremely high rollers' from Asia. Those visitors may be replaced by visitors who likely will spend less on gambling and other high-end activities.

THE COST TO VISITORS

Tickets for the first Super Bowl (the term wasn't copyrighted yet) were priced at $12, $10 and $6 (adjusted for inflation $109, $90, and $55).

In the years since, the average price for a ticket has escalated dramatically - this year averaging $10,408, with box seats upwards of

$1 million.

TRAVEL AND LODGING

Over 100,000 people will fly to Las Vegas commercially with more than 1,000 private aircraft expected at Las Vegas airports for the weekend.

Although some rooms are available (Vegas boasts over 150,000 of them) at reasonable rates, persons able (or willing) to match the $6,000 a ticket cost can do so at Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Mandalay Bay, Venetian and Waldorf Astoria - all of which are offering standard rooms at more than $1,200 per night.

THE BIG GAME SHOW

Super Bowl Halftime Show performers are not paid but nonetheless the halftime show has come a long way since the University of Arizona and Grambling State marching bands performed that first year. The NFL does cover production costs such as stage, lighting, and sound equipment.

And the halftime show in 2024 is being headlined by Usher, not Taylor Swift (although it's likely she will get more air time than Usher).