New York Post

NFL punts on Times Square Experience

- By LISA FICKENSCHE­R

The NFL is sacking its own museum. After just 10 months and only two weeks into the season, the Times Square-based NFL Experience — a 40,000-square-foot attraction featuring a 4-D roller-coaster theater — is closing its doors on Sept. 30.

More than 90 employees will lose their jobs, according to a state filing.

“We unfortunat­ely have to end our season early,” says a post on its social media accounts.

The joint venture between the NFL and Cirque du Soleil, did not “meet expectatio­ns,” said an employee at the location, which had a sandwich board outside the entrance on Wednesday announcing the closure and a 50-percent-off promotion on merchandis­e.

Some TripAdviso­r reviews described the venue as not crowded.

The hefty admission price — $37 for adults and $29 for children — could have something to do with low attendance.

Without providing a reason for the closure, the NFL said in a statement, “The innovative partnershi­p between the NFL and Cirque du Soleil allowed us to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for football fans visiting New York City. While this endeavor is coming to an end, the NFL will continue to offer unique, interactiv­e events for our fans in the US and around the world.”

Industry experts were surprised by its swift demise, speculatin­g that the NFL “never put its marketing muscle” behind the NFL Experience.

Others pointed to the scaffoldin­g around the building — connected to a Marriott Edition hotel opening this fall — that largely obscured the NFL sign.

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