Super Bowl 50 work crews are "busy transforming" Levi's Stadium into a "big bash for wealthy fans and VIPs that’s a combination of sporting event, lavish party and entertainment extravaganza," according to Michael Cabanatuan of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The changes "begin with the parking lots," where the main one outside the Great America amusement park "will be covered with a collection of massive tents allowing game-goers to engage in pre- and post-game wining, dining and celebration." Inside the stadium, most of the 49ers logos, colors and stadium decor "have been covered up with the now-familiar Super Bowl 50 logos and colors." Levi’s Stadium’s two big plazas "have been covered with a collection of temporary three-story structures that will house international broadcasters." Elsewhere around the stadium, new camera booths and an auxiliary press area "have been installed below the scoreboards." Next to the scoreboards new seating "has been wedged into place" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27).
THE
NIÑO: In Sacramento, Matt Barrows reports mild weather is "not expected to last in an El Niño-drenched winter, which means all the painting for Super Bowl 50 -- from end zones to midfield logos to the hash marks -- has to be done during a break in the precipitation this week." Sprawling metal-framed structures close to the height of the stadium itself are "going up in the main parking lot." According to the NFL the structures "will host 'a variety of hospitality elements,' ... which will give fans plenty of entertainment options -- as well as keep them dry -- but will push parking to more remote areas." NFL Field Dir Ed Mangan’s challenge "will be to keep the field looking good over the next week and a half, when plenty of precipitation -- rain is forecast to return Friday night -- and a lot of foot traffic are expected." Rehearsals for the pregame and halftime entertainment "will begin this weekend, meaning stage equipment will be dragged on and off the field." More rehearsals "will be held next Wednesday through Friday" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 1/27).
STREET ART: ESPN THE MAGAZINE's Bryan Curtis writes a "giant, golden" Super Bowl No. 50 placed in S.F. is an "outré piece of street art." This piece -- one of 10 placed around the city -- "measures 6 feet high," and is "made of aluminum and steel." Printed on the front of the digits "are photos of the 49 previous Super Bowl rings." The league "went to Tiffany & Co. and asked: Could the jeweler make a golden 50?" The "resulting bauble, cast in bronze and plated in 18-karat gold, weighs close to 70 pounds." The league "chose the color gold not just because 50 is the golden anniversary but because the game is being played in the Golden State." NFL officials thought that a 50th Super Bowl also "called for the creation of some kind of curio -- a real anniversary present." The league "considered making a one-time-only gold Lombardi Trophy but decided that would make the other 49 Lombardis seem less precious." Curtis asked, "What if the NFL created a golden 50 that was presented alongside the Lombardi Trophy? That would both preserve tradition and head off any hurt feelings." That is when the league "turned to Tiffany & Co." (ESPN THE MAGAZINE, 2/8 issue).
GET TO THE CHOPPER! In S.F., Hannah Albarazi noted if there is "significant impact on ground transportation on Super Bowl Sunday, helicopter transportation may be the only means to get the NFL teams to and from Levi’s Stadium." In recent months, "federal, state and local K-9 teams have conducted helicopter training" at Coast Guard Air Station S.F. in preparation for the big game. Meanwhile, FAA officials also said that "due to the high volume of air traffic anticipated during the Super Bowl activities, a ramp reservation is required for arrivals and departures at 15 airports in the Bay Area" between 6:00am PT on Feb. 4 and 6:00pm on Feb. 8 (SANFRANCISCO.CBSLOCAL.com, 1/26).
TEMPERED EXPECTATIONS: In S.F., Rachel Swan in a front-page piece notes Oakland’s visitors bureau "expects thousands of celebrants to visit the city, which is hosting five NFL-sanctioned events" around Super Bowl 50. But tourism officials "predict a modest economic impact for Oakland from the estimated 1 million visitors." Visit Oakland President & CEO Alison Best said, "It’s an opportunity for us to have our name out there" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27).
