17 Feb 9th–Feb 15th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | mon-THU: 9AM - 7PM fri: 9AM - 7PM sat: 9AM - 6PM sun: 10AM - 5PM 3330 w Van Buren St • Phoenix • 602-272-0034 (NE Corner of 35th Ave & Van Buren) *prices are subject Bunk-Bed-Frame 2pc sectional Box and mattress with mattress CHESTs Starting from 4pc bedroom set 5 drawer chest $309 $529 WESTSIDEFURNITURE.com VALLEY-WIDE DELIVERY AVAILAbLE CALL foR pRICIng T-$119 F-$139 Q-$169 K- $289 $639 Choice of fabrics Twin Mattress w/ 6” Foam $7995 $439 $139 $139 merrymaking. The total turnout depends on factors such as the desirability of a host city and the popularity of the teams playing in the big game, Evans said. Phoenix’s mild winter makes it an exceptionally desirable destination this time of year, while the Eagles and Chiefs stake claim to two of the nine largest fanbases in the NFL. How Many People Will Watch the Super Bowl? The Super Bowl’s ever-increasing view- ership figures are projected to reach more than 192 million people next weekend, according to data from the National Retail Federation. That’s a massive jump from just 99 million last year, according to the online gambling platform Betway. State Farm Stadium will welcome 73,000 fans to watch the action in person. What Economic Impact Will the Super Bowl Have on Arizona? The 2015 Super Bowl generated $719 million of economic activity across metro Phoenix, Evans said. But that year, Phoenix also hosted the Pro Bowl, an annual event featuring the NFL’s star players. This year, the Pro Bowl is in Las Vegas, which could lower the economic impact of the Super Bowl across the Valley. Evans expects around $600 million worth of economic activity, even with the Waste Management Phoenix Open — the most-attended stop on the PGA Tour — happening the same weekend. “The WM Phoenix Open happens every year,” Evans told Phoenix New Times. “It should not be positioned as a replacement for the Pro Bowl.” Other experts put the economic impact much higher. Danny Seiden, CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, predicted the hoopla could spark as much as $2 billion in economic activity. Evans admitted that “there is no ceiling” on the potential economic impact of the Super Bowl this year. How Many Jobs Will the Super Bowl Create in Phoenix? Hotels, bars, restaurants, and transpor- tation companies are hiring extra staff to meet the increase in demand while visitor attractions will dole out bonus bucks in wages for seven to 10 days surrounding the Super Bowl, according to Evans. But the Super Bowl will do more than boost short- term employment after an infusion of new dollars ripples across the Valley, he said. The 2015 Super Bowl generated 6,700 job years of employment in Arizona and this one is poised to do the same. “There’s no Pro Bowl in Arizona this year, but the boost to employment will still be significant,” Evans said. What Does It Cost to Host a Super Bowl? The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, cost the city a whopping $60 billion. Hosting a Super Bowl isn’t so expensive. In fact, Arizona isn’t expected to pay much money for the Super Bowl at all. “The biggest cost for hosting a Super Bowl is the stadium,” Evans said. “Arizona already has a stadium that meets the NFL’s needs. The NFL has probably insisted on some minor modifications and enhance- ments to the stadium and local infra- structure, but local taxpayers have avoided the billions of dollars needed to construct a new stadium,” he explained. Some Valley cities will incur extra costs for policing, emergency services, and security, but those costs will be offset by the massive injection of out-of-state dollars that will help local businesses and create revenue for state and local governments. How Many Times Has Arizona Hosted the Super Bowl? Arizona hosted its first Super Bowl in 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Since then, the big game has been played at State Farm Stadium three times — in 2008, 2015, and 2023. Most NFL venues — 16 of the 30 — have never hosted the Super Bowl. “This is the fourth time in 28 years the state has hosted the biggest event in U.S. sports,” Evans said. “When it comes to attracting major sports events, Arizona punches above its weight.” What Happened at the Last Super Bowl in Arizona? The 2015 Super Bowl in Arizona contained one of the most iconic Super Bowl Cha-Ching! from p 15 Confetti raining down on the Bucaneers in 2021. Patrick Smith/Getty Images >> p 18
