Welcome to my house
NFL
Super Bowl memories,” Higgins said.
All those venues must have security, which requires a massive commitment of state and local law enforcement working with the FBI and Homeland Security to ensure public safety. Human trafficking was not a big concern around this game a decade ago. It is now.
Super Bowl XLIII, the last to be hosted by Tampa Bay, was dubbed “the Recession Bowl“as it occurred at the height of an economic downturn and the mortgage crisis. Many parties were canceled. There also were 200 fewer journalists covering the game from the previous year. Tickets with a face value of $500 sold for an average of $2,500 on the secondary market, representing a 40 percent drop from the previous Super Bowl. All three automakers declined to purchase television ads, which cost $3 million for a 30-second spot. For Super Bowl LIV, that same commercial cost $5 million to $5.6 million.
Raymond James Stadium, built in 1998, has undergone some dramatic changes as well. There's been $160 million in renovations, most of it paid for by the Glazer family which owns the Bucs. Everything from new video scoreboards, sound system, refurbished club and sky suites, chair backs, retrofitted concession areas and a new team store.
By the time the game is played, the stadium will have new LED lights for the playing field.
“We would never have gotten this Super Bowl if it wasn't for those enhancements,” Bucs COO Brian Ford said.
Tampa Bay has been fortunate with the game itself. Who can forget Bills Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood and his wide-left miss to make the Giants winners in Super Bowl XXV? Or Trent Dilfer's return as the quarterback of the Ravens, who demolished the Giants? Or Santonio Holmes' toetapping touchdown catch on a pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 35 seconds left to make the Steelers 27-23 winners over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII?
“The game is still played on 100-yard field on white lines,” Brooks said. “I can't affect that outcome one way or another anymore. But we can make sure all the details are buttoned up for the two teams playing in it so that we are not being a distraction in terms of our lack of preparation.”