The Big Game Countdown Is On

As nearly 125,000 people descend upon Glendale AZ for the biggest sporting event in the world, Super Bowl XLII, all eyes will be on the University of Phoenix Stadium and its Global Spectrum staff. The facility was recently named the “Best Stadium in the NFL” in a Sports Business Journal reader’s poll and stadium employees plan to showcase its image as the NFL’s most unique multi-purpose facility.

“University of Phoenix Stadium is an amazing piece of architecture. I don’t think that any of the new stadiums coming online will approach the unique design utilized at University of Phoenix Stadium. Glendale should be very proud to have this stadium in their community,” said Frank Supovitz, Vice President of Events for the NFL.

The staff at University of Phoenix Stadium has been working for the last year and a half preparing for the game and the meetings and planning have picked up considerably in the last three months.

“This will obviously be the biggest event we have hosted so far. We feel we have a great plan in place and look forward to game day February 3rd,” said Peter C. Sullivan, General Manager. “As with any major event, it’s all in the details. Our team has been working with the NFL, the Arizona Host Committee, architects at HOK, the City of Glendale and our client, the Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority, to make sure the game goes off without a hitch. This is a huge opportunity for the building and our company and we are hopeful that this game will act as a catalyst in attracting other major events including the NCAA Final Four, WWE’s Wrestlemania, and future Super Bowls.”

It’s been twelve years since the game has been to the Valley of the Sun. Super Bowl XXX was held in 1996 at Arizona State University’s stadium in Tempe, AZ. A lot has changed since then as Phoenix has become the 5th largest city in the nation and a major tourist destination. The game has spurred incredible growth in the West Valley and will have an estimated economic impact of $400 million. Glendale has seen nine new hotels open around the facility and at least ten new restaurants and night spots are preparing to open in the city’s entertainment district adjacent to the stadium.

During the three weeks prior to the game the facility will undergo a total transformation. Inside the stadium TV live sets will be built and Super Bowl signage installed. The 14,000-space parking lot will become a sports-like park of its own with the construction of the 17th Annual NFL Experience, the ultimate football fan fest. It is pro football's interactive theme park offering participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids' clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football card show ever.

“It takes literally thousands of people of every imaginable specialty to stage the Super Bowl, from experts in logistics and transportation to technical production, hospitality, security, stadium operations, hotel management and meeting planning, and the list goes on and on,” said Frank Supovitz. “Many of these professionals work on the Super Bowl year after year, and some are added from the host community for specific functions.”

Everything at the Super Bowl is super-sized, including the media attention. Over 3,500 national and international media are expected to cover this year’s event compounding the logistics required to properly present the game. Not only will the press be covering the Super Bowl, but they will also be in town for the renowned FBR/Phoenix Open Golf Tournament. The tournament will take place in Scottsdale at the TPC Course during Super Bowl week and is the largest attended golf tournament in the country.

Adding to the preparations needed was the recent announcement that this year’s famous Super Bowl Half Time Show will feature one of rock and roll’s greatest bands, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Last year’s show was viewed by nearly 140 million viewers and necessitates the coordination of many entities.

One of the game’s many initiatives this year will be to increase efforts to “go green”. Global Spectrum staff, the NFL, and The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will work together to include recycled materials in the production of the event. Materials used during the game, such as lumber and bricks, will be donated to local charities. The NFL will use low emission vehicles, eco-friendly fluorescent lighting, and will plant thousands of trees in Arizona to offset greenhouse gas emissions.