Super Bowl LIV helped Miami re-establish and grow its reputation as a big-event town for sportsGETTY IMAGES
Last night's Super Bowl LIV, which was "five years and more than a half-billion dollars in the making was a success" for Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, according to Adam Beasley of the MIAMI HERALD. South Florida was "only able to lure the Super Bowl back for a record 11th time because of hundreds of millions of private funds Ross dedicated to renovate Hard Rock Stadium," and the "building never looked better" than it did last night (MIAMI HERALD, 2/3). In Miami, Greg Cote writes this Super Bowl was "magical for Miami itself, which also won the night" as it hosted its record 11th big game. What Miami "does best is to keep replenishing and growing its reputation as a big-event town, especially in sports." Sunday's "spectacle surely joined the pantheon of the very biggest events ever staged in South Florida" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/3).
BIENVENIDO A MIAMI: Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross said of Super Bowl sites, "Miami and a few other cities should be the perennial hosts of the Super Bowl, and I think people love being here. It's great, and it's great for Miami most importantly with what it does for the area, the state and the economy" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/1). THE ATHLETIC's Chris Perkins notes Super Bowl LIV was a "break with recent tradition from the standpoint" that it was not played in a "newly opened stadium like the previous two Super Bowls." Instead, this year's game was held at a venue that "shows off Ross' renovation innovations" (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/2).
HUNGER GAMES: USA TODAY's Alan Gomez notes a burger at the game last night cost fans $16, while buckets of popcorn were "$15 a pop." The concessions prices are a "return to reality after fans were spoiled during last year's Super Bowl in Atlanta, which prides itself on offering the most affordable prices for concessions." A burger at Super Bowl LIII "cost just $5." One "bright spot" was that a 32-ounce soft drink "costs $15, but those come with free refills." Things got "even more pricey at the dozens of stands selling beer, wine and cocktails" (USA TODAY, 2/3). In Newark, Zack Rosenblatt writes prices for fans to get something to eat were "not quite as bad as you'd think." Rosenblatt: "It's not quite a Masters-level discount, but food prices look about the same as they would on a typical Sunday at MetLife Stadium or Lincoln Financial Field" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 2/3).
TOUGH COMMUTE: NBCSPORTS.com's Peter King writes the logistics of this year's Super Bowl were "challenging for the news media." King: "Far-flung hotels for the media, both in Miami Beach and near the Miami Airport, buses not serving all the media hotels, etc" (NBCSPORTS.com, 2/3).
CORPORATE TAKEOVER: In Miami, Taylor Dolven writes the "corporate nature of the Big Game is hard to understate." Everything from the "food stands to the fan areas has a sponsor." Branded "blimps and airplanes with banners rove overhead," and many attendees had their "employers to thank for the access" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/3).
