IRVING, Texas — Ready for an outdoor Super Bowl in cold, possibly snowy weather? Thinking that new overtime rule adopted for playoff games should be used in the regular season too? NFL owners will discuss those things and more today.
The 2014 Super Bowl site definitely will be picked. It’s widely expected to go to the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands stadium that will become home to the Jets and Giants this season, although Miami and Tampa, Fla., also are bidding.
The new stadium for the New York City area would seem like a natural site for the NFL’s marquee event, especially with league headquarters in Manhattan. Plus, the league has rewarded cities for building expensive new stadiums by giving them a Super Bowl.
But there’s a fundamental problem: The Meadowlands doesn’t have a roof and temperatures are usually in the 20s during early February in East Rutherford, N.J. There’s even a league rule aimed at ensuring good weather, either by playing in a warm climate or by having a roof; the fact it was waived for this bid shows what a shoo-in it might be.
“I don’t see how it’s not played here,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “We’ve got the best city in the world. I think that’s indisputable. We’ve got arguably one of the top stadiums.”
As for overtime, when owners last met, in March, they voted to change the sudden-death rule so that if a team losing the coin toss immediately gives up a field goal, they still get a chance to score and either tie it or win — but only in the playoffs. There’s a sentiment that if the rule is good enough for the postseason, it should be done in the regular season.
“It is on the agenda for a ‘possible vote’ after consultation with the clubs,” Falcons president Rich McKay said.
Owners also will talk about the proposed sale of the Rams.
Illinois businessman Shahid Khan reached agreement with owners Chip Rosenbloom and his sister, Lucia Rodriguez on Feb. 11 to buy the team for an estimated $750 million. Last month, billionaire Stan Kroenke — who already owned 40 percent of the team — exercised his right to match the offer and purchase the remaining 60 percent of the club.
Beyond the financial issues, there’s also a problem because Kroenke owns the Nuggets and the Avalanche, and NFL rules prohibit owners from also owning clubs in the NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball.
Commissioner Roger Goodell also is likely to address a Supreme Court ruling against the league in its quest for antitrust protection. Justices said the league must be considered 32 separate teams — not one big business — when selling branded items like jerseys and caps.
