The NFL is reportedly considering moving the annual Super Bowl game out of Los Angeles, possibly due to California’s strict coronavirus regulations.
Super Bowl LVI is scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Feb. 13. As of right now, the NFL said it still plans to play the game there. But a report this week revealed the NFL has been quietly contacting other venues, including the AT&T Stadium in Texas, about hosting the game.
A Dallas Cowboys source said “the league did inquire about a date if [the] stadium is available. But that’s all I’ve ever heard. They could be just covering all options just in case.”
Although the report mentioned California’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases as the motivating factor, others have pointed out that California’s restrictions could be part of the reason as well.
For example, California health officials have already made it clear that all fans who attend the Super Bowl game in Los Angeles will have to wear fitted masks the entire time.
He noted masking will be in place, and urged everyone to wear will fitting masks. Says it’s important for health officials and the NFL to work together on covid prevention strategies for the event.
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) January 5, 2022
In Texas, where AT&T Stadium is located, there is no mask mandate.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy insisted that any conversations the league has had about moving the game are common practice.
“As part of our standard contingency planning process that we conduct for all regular and postseason games,” he said, “we have contacted several clubs to inquire about stadium availability in the event we cannot play the Super Bowl as scheduled due to weather-related issues or unforeseen circumstances.”
