NFL Warns Outdated Stadium May Keep Big Events Out Of Miami

NFL Says Land Shark Stadium Needs Roof, Modern Skyboxes, High-Definition Lighting

February's Super Bowl will mark the 10th time South Florida has played host to the game, but NFL Senior VP/Events Frank Supovitz yesterday "warned that a dated stadium might keep future championships away from the region," according to Douglas Hanks of the MIAMI HERALD. Supovitz, addressing the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, said that along with a roof to "keep the rain out, Land Shark Stadium lacks the modern skyboxes, high-definition lighting and other amenities that can make a Super Bowl more lucrative." Supovitz: "You have to look at what the other cities are offering in terms of comfort. ... I'm not going to have anyone rained on in North Texas. They're not going to get rained on in Indianapolis." Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said the team is "working with the NFL to see what should be done." Dee said that the NFL's stadium concerns "also could be a worry for South Florida's spot on the four-year rotation for the college football championship." Dee said, "We only have one more BCS championship committed [in '13]." Dee noted Atlanta and Dallas both "want in" as BCS hosts. Meanwhile, Hanks notes "one flourish from South Florida's 2010 bid package -- the free use of a yacht for each of the NFL's 32 owners -- has been scrapped in favor of fishing trips for 200 inner-city youth from Broward and Miami-Dade" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/8).

TO DO LIST: In Ft. Worth, Ray Buck notes the NFC representative in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in '11 "was supposed to use" the Cowboys' indoor practice facility, which collapsed May 2 during a storm. That facility has yet to be replaced, and North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee President & CEO Bill Lively said, "That's a concern that the league and we have." Meanwhile, with Super Bowl XLV 485 days away, Lively said, "In terms of sponsorships and contracted financial commitments, we have raised about $14[M]. And we need $30[M]" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/8).