Social media sites such as Twitter were filled with commentary while Super Bowl XLVII play was suspended due to a power outage at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Horrow Sports Ventures Exec Dir Brian Finkel wrote, “Well, that blackout was good for people who took the under on 111 million viewers.” ESPN.com’s Mark Kreidler posted, “So far, CBS's coverage of stadium blackout > any of the pre-game shows. #HatePreGame.” The official Twitter feed for Pro Football Talk asked, “Does the guy who caused the blackout get MVP votes?” Time Magazine’s Sean Gregory wrote, “folks, this was seriously the best blackout ever.” Former NFLer Damien Woody: “If 49ers win, the blackout def will get more coverage.” NFL.com’s Jeff Darlington tweeted, “If this indeed turns into an epic finish, as I think it will, I'd like to be the first to suggest this name: The Blackout Bowl. @NFL #SB47.” ESPN Radio’s Bonnie Bernstein: “Good news is, MetLife already had its Blackout Gate. Nov, 2010. NYG-Cowboys. May be cold next year but there will be light.” N.Y Daily News columnist Bob Raissman wrote, “Next year Vegas will have a prop bet on a Meadowlands blackout.” N.Y. Times’ Michael Schmidt tweeted, “the worst part about the blackout is having to hear more from shannon sharpe.” Actor Jeff Daniels wrote, “This Blackout is when the CBS On Air Talent earns their money. #Newsroom.” Fox Sports Radio’s Ben Maller: “Commissioner Roger Goodell has expanded the NFL's archaic blackout rule to the entire United States for the Super Bowl.” The Globe & Mail’s Kevin Paul Dupont wrote, “NHL lockout. NFL blackout. Over to you, MLB." The Charlotte Observer’s Jim Utter posted, “I think I saw Manti Te'o girlfriend in the blackout ... skyping.” Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban tweeted, “The next time the lights go out at a super bowl will they do a flashback and show the highlights of this blackout?” NPR’s Scott Simon: “I wonder how many children will be conceived during the Great Super Bowl blackout?”
MONEY TALKS: The impact on Super Bowl advertising stood out during the delay. Digiday Editor-in-Chief Brian Morrissey wrote, “Confirmed: quick thinking agency behind that Oreo blackout tweet? @360i.” TV Guide’s Michael Schneider tweeted, “CBS ad sales kicking itself that it didn't sell a blackout sponsorship.” CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" Exec Producer Justin Stangel: “Maybe evil voodoo Stevie Wonder has something to do with the blackout #SB47.” SI’s Jon Wertheim wrote, “A Super Bowl blackout is a hell of an ad premise...”
