Xtra Large Headache

Pure Chaos...

For those who have never attended or covered a Super Bowl, those are the only fitting words that come to mind for those of us who have been there.

Having covered SuperBowl XXXIV in 2000 here in Atlanta (Brother Nelson has been to XXVIII, XXXIII and XXXIV), it is the most bizarre, crazy, rollercoaster ride of a week that you could ever imagine.

Welcome All and None...

The first thing that you have to understand about the “Super Bowl,” the Championship Game of Championship games, is that is not for the general public to attend.

Sure, the NFL would love your money if you can find a way to get a ticket, but those tickets are not available to very many people. The only shot you’ve got, a ticket broker, and if you do that, you are going to be paying a lot of money.

You see the game is mostly for Corporate Sponsors and for VIP’s. Why else do you think that you see shots of various assorted celebrities from the network covering the game. Unless you are a volunteer, an Event Staff person or a vendor, good luck getting in.

Media Circus...

Yeah, it is a Circus, so to speak. But it is mostly due to the fact that every so-called TV Network, alleged Newspaper, magazine and/or radio station feels compelled to say they covered the game.

Most of them, they don’t even see the field on Game Day. Sure, they are right there with MTV and the Weather Channel and Entertainment Tonight on Media Day, but when it comes down to game time, they are in a room somewhere away from it all, watching on TV.

Speaking of “Media Day,” it is the only thing that it could accurately be described as a gigantic “ClusterF*ck”. You may, if you are lucky, get to talk to the player that you are there for, but more than likely, you’ll get the guy least crowded. Why you ask? Because like I said before, every “National” media outlet will be there…they will be there with what will seem like a small army of people, armed with Fishpole mics, long, extended camera lenses and probably a ladder, for the camera people to get any kind of shot.

What is truly sad is that most of the media there…do stories on the other media there. Why is this? I really don’t know. Do any of you care that we have a camera and reporter at a game? Or for that matter, do you really want to see what the slovenly, poorly dressed writer/radio host looks like when he’s covering the “Big Story?”

Me, when I covered SuperBowl XXXIV, the best I could do was a “Concourse Pass.” That meant I could roam the concourse level of the Georgia Dome with my reporter, but couldn’t go into the stands or stand somewhere and actually watch the game. Believe it or not, there were curtains at the top of each stairway leading into the stands that effectively blocked any clear view of the field.

But Everyone Watches...

Every year, this is the most watched Event on Television. To be totally honest with you, that is the best place to see it - on Television. On TV, you at least get to see the ads, which most of the time are better than the game. But here is a suggestion, watch the game without the volume on. Do you really want to listen to the announcers anyway? Or for that matter, do you really want to subject yourself to possibly the most annoying thing about pro football today - THE PRE-GAME SHOW? After all, coverage starts right at noon and continues - and continues - throughout the day.

For you and me, to come down to a “Super Bowl” means that you’ll be standing in ungodly long lines, watching the rich and famous go into parties, events and the game that you want to see. If that is for you, then great - have fun, and enjoy yourself. Make sure you bring your checkbook.

--Phil Cantor

“The time has come, my song is over, thought I’d something more to say” Time (Pink Floyd)