The NFL "is showing a more inclusive side" in advance of Super Bowl 50, as the league and event organizers today are set to announce that "for the first time, the NFL will expand its outreach on contracting opportunities for the 2016 event to businesses owned" by LGBT people, according to John Cote of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Super Bowl 50 will be played at Levi's Stadium, but "about 10 days of lead-up activities, including parties and the Super Bowl Village, will be in San Francisco, with its rich history of gay-rights activism." The NFL "already targets small businesses owned by minorities, women and disabled veterans in its effort to line up local vendors through its Business Connect program for the lead-up and production of the Super Bowl." Companies that participate in the program "don’t get preference in contract bids, but they learn about the procurement process for the Super Bowl and participate in networking events, including presentations from representatives of the NFL, its main contractors, Super Bowl 50 Host Committee staff and corporate sponsors." The available contracts "are expected to include event planning, promotion and all aspects of production, as well as transportation, security, staffing, janitorial, entertainment, hospitality, and food and beverage services" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/10).
