MARTA, Atlanta's public transport agency, will deploy hundreds of additional employees for the gameATLANTA SUPER BOWL
Super Bowl LIII could be the first major sporting event in more than two decades held during a government shutdown, although federal officials said that those "attending the game or the events surrounding it shouldn’t worry," according to Perez & Armour of USA TODAY. FBI Public Affairs Specialist Kevin Rowson said, "Nothing has been curtailed. We are fully operational." The Feb. 3 game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a "SEAR 1 event, the federal government’s second-highest security classification," meaning it requires "federal support and equipment, as well as cooperation and coordination between federal, state and local authorities." Rowson said that "more than 1,500 public safety personnel are involved in Super Bowl security." However, it is "not clear how many of those are federal agents and officials." The Secret Service, FBI, TSA, ICE and Customs & Border Protection are "among the federal agencies charged with working with local law enforcement and private security to secure the Super Bowl and many of the surrounding events." The Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2, 1996, was the "last major sporting event held during a shutdown" (USA TODAY, 1/22).
GET THIS PARTY STARTED: NFL VP/Event Operations & Production Jon Barker said a crowd of "probably about 8,000" is expected for Super Bowl Opening Night this coming Monday at State Farm Arena. In Atlanta, Tim Tucker noted fans in attendance will be "given radios on which they can listen to player interviews taking place at individual podiums." Former NFLers will be "available for autographs in the concourses." Falcons "cheerleaders and mascots will be there," and one fan will "win two tickets to Super Bowl LIII." Barker said, "We are taking steps to make this a fan experience rather than just a press conference. ... There’s going to be a lot going on in that building." Barker said that the crowd is "expected to consist largely of Atlanta area residents" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 1/22).
GETTING IN AND OUT: In Atlanta, David Wickert notes tens of thousands of people will "take transit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Feb. 3 game." There is "reason to wonder" whether MARTA, Atlanta's public transport agency, "can pull it off." A year ago, when the stadium hosted the CFP National Championship, "hundreds of passengers were stranded at Five Points Station long after the game ended because trains couldn’t depart." MARTA later admitted it was "short-staffed and unprepared to handle the crowds." The agency, which has "performed well at more recent events," will "expand service and deploy hundreds of additional employees during the big game and the 10 days of events surrounding it" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 1/22).
