Update: A Seahawks spokesman said Tuesday that the club was “not pursuing hosting a Super Bowl at this time.” He said the story widely reported Monday was a version of a story seven months old that no longer was accurate.
A report Monday on nfl.com, citing a story from Seattle TV station KCPQ Ch. 13, said paperwork had been filed for the opportunity to be considered for a future game. But a KCPQ staffer said the story was from Super Bowl week in February that had not been updated, and the Fox network affiliate has generated no fresh news on the topic. He had no explanation for the renewed circulation. The story spread quickly on social media Monday. Numerous local media outlets reported the story, including Sportspress Northwest below:
The Seahawks, in conjunction with the Seattle Sports Commission, have submitted paperwork to the NFL to host a future Super Bowl, a formality that was expected after Indianapolis successfully hosted the Super Bowl in February.
Q13Fox TV first reported the news Monday afternoon. Owner Paul Allen had to make the initial expression of interest, and now the Super Bowl Advisory Committee will review the application. If it meets standards, the Seahawks and city, via the commission, will be invited to bid.
Host-city requirements are many, discussed here in a Feb. 3 Sportspress Northwest column and outlined in a huge briefing book provided by the NFL to prospective bidders. A window was opened for a potential Seattle bid when the committee waived the 70,000-seat stadium requirement for Indianapolis. Lucas Oil Stadium seats 68,000 indoors.
Additionally, New York and its new outdoor stadium was awarded the 2014 Super Bowl when the warm-weather minimum — average daily high temperatures of at least 50 degrees — was waived. Seattle averages 44 degrees the first week of February.
The 2015 Super Bowl will be in Glendale, AZ., and owners will vote this year on the site of the 2016 Super Bowl. Seahawks officials have estimated their first good shot would be for the 2018 game, which would require the creation of a host committee and a presentation in 2014.
Host expenses for a first-time city such as Indianapolis or Seattle could be up to $50 million, but the host committee typically funds the bid from private sources most likely to benefit from the worldwide attention the game draws to the city.
