The super Super Bowl
It’s that time of year again. On February 4, 2007, the entire nation will clear their schedules and postpone all their plans. America will be preoccupied with the most popular sporting event of the year: the Super Bowl. What other sporting event can create such a social impact? Truth is, the Super Bowl is the only sporting event that can take America and sweep her off her feet.
The popularity of the Super Bowl is uncontested. It is by far the most watched television program of the year. On average, around 80 to 90 million people watch the game and around 130 million tune in during some part of the game.
Guess how much companies pay for a commercial spot in the Super Bowl. If you said $ 1 million, then you are close. In fact, an average 30 second Super Bowl commercial costs around $ 1.8 to $ 2 million. The gives the perfect chance for advertisers to run their ads, many of them reaching legendary status as they are replayed as the best Super Bowl ads.
Not only does the Super Bowl give companies publicity, but it also gives its halftime performers a good amount also. Who can forget the Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction in Super Bowl XXXVIII? According to TiVo, that incident was TV’s most rewound moment of all-time.
Vegas, evidently along with Janet Jackson, is elated every year come Super Bowl time. The Super Bowl is the most wagered sporting event of the year. Millions of dollars will trade hands, and this year projections show a record-breaking amount of money will be wagered. After it is all said and done, some will profit while others helplessly regret their wagers (Indianapolis is currently the favorite by 6.5 points).
All the extras aside, the Super Bowl itself is the championship game in football that is played by the two remaining teams in the playoffs. This year in Super Bowl XLI, the Chicago Bears, along with its horrendous quarterback Rex Grossman, will face the Indianapolis Colts on February 4.
Whoever wins will claim glory, fame, and a piece of football history. Losers go home, forever forgotten. Remember who the New England Patriots played in Super Bowl XXXVI just five years ago? Neither do I, but like me, you probably do remember Tom Brady’s touchdown pass and Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal.
Fact is, America’s heart has been captured by the Super Bowl ever since 1967 when Super Bowl I became a part of American history. And it doesn’t look like this is going to change anytime soon. So when February 4 comes along, sit down, grab some popcorn, and let yourself become part of American tradition.
—Ranny Ma