Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott invited the National Football League (NFL) on Thursday to host the Super Bowl in Texas in February, highlighting that his state is “100% open” in a shot at California’s pandemic restrictions.
“Texas is 100% OPEN. We would welcome the NFL & their fans to the Lone Star State,” Abbott tweeted alongside an article on the issue.
Texas is 100% OPEN. We would welcome the NFL & their fans to the Lone Star State. https://t.co/CUGXculgb4
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 7, 2022
The related Outkick article discussed growing reports that the NFL is actively considering alternative locations to host Super Bowl LVI on February 13 if it cannot be held in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
“The Cowboys and the league have reportedly had preliminary discussions about AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas serving as an emergency site to host the event, amid COVID-19 restrictions in California,” the report revealed.
Dallas ABC TV affiliate WVAA also confirmed the NFL has considered AT&T Stadium as a backup site:
A Dallas Cowboys front office source tells WFAA that the team and league have engaged in preliminary discussions about AT&T Stadium serving as an emergency site for the 2022 Super Bowl should possible COVID restrictions in California create problems with playing the game in Southern California.
The Cowboys source told us “the league did inquire about a date if [the] stadium is available. But that’s all I’ve ever heard. They could be just covering all options just in case.”
“We are working closely with the NFL to welcome the Super Bowl to L.A. County,” the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports. “And while we cannot provide certainty for the future, we do not anticipate capacity limits at sporting events.”
SoFi stadium holds 70,000 fans. The Bleacher Report noted it can be expanded up to 100,000 seats for large events like the Super Bowl.
NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy shared a statement that confirmed other locations have been discussed, though no changes have yet been made.
“We plan on playing Super Bowl LVI as scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13,” McCarthy said.
“As part of our standard contingency planning process that we conduct for all regular and postseason games, we have contacted several clubs to inquire about stadium availability in the event we cannot play the Super Bowl as scheduled due to weather-related issues or unforeseen circumstances.
“Our planning process for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles is ahead of schedule and we look forward to hosting the Super Bowl there to culminate another fantastic NFL season for our fans and clubs.”
Dr. Mark Ghaly, the secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, addressed the issue with reporters on Wednesday.
“I want to be clear, the Super Bowl is coming to Los Angeles,” he said.
A few questions after this, Ghaly said:
"I want to be clear, the Super Bowl is coming to Los Angeles."
He said state health officials look forward to working with those that will make it a safe and fun event.
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) January 5, 2022
If so, the Super Bowl will still exceed the capacity of last year’s Super Bowl that was limited to only 25,000 fans in Tampa, Florida.
Texas may serve as the best location if the Super Bowl does need to move. In addition to AT&T Stadium allowing about 100,000 fans, the venue has the experience of hosting a past game moved from California on short notice.
The 2021 Rose Bowl, traditionally held in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day, was moved to the stadium last year.