The NFL has been awarded a Safety Act Designation & Certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the highest level of protection granted by the program. If an incident is deemed by DHS to be an “act of terrorism,” the league now can use what is called the “government contractor defense” for all claims that may arise. This means that through January '24, the NFL itself is granted protection from having to pay claims that might be filed by victims against the league in the event of a terrorist attack at one of its events. The league is the official operator of the Super Bowl’s venue for a period of several days prior to, during and after the game. Neither individual clubs nor stadium owners or operators are included under the league’s coverage. However, the Atlanta Falcons Stadium Co., operators of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, last month received a Safety Act Developmental Testing & Evaluation Designation, which provides the club limited protection. That protection will expire on Feb. 28, 2021. The NFL in '08 became the first league to be awarded DHS protection. Fifteen NFL stadium operators have some level of DHS coverage.
