We’re about to head off to Indianapolis to join the media throng that’s covering Super Bowl 46 in just a few hours; ultimately, the trip will be fun, but the destination is less than desirable. Awarding Super Bowls to cold weather cities is one of the few wrong moves the otherwise brilliant marketers that run the NFL have made in the nearly 50-year history of this massive event.

When’s the last time you’ve heard a friend or family member say “I can’t wait to book that summer trip to Indy.” That’s right, you haven’t, and probably never will. Even though Indianapolis has hosted multiple Final Fours and the Indianapolis 500 is run there every year, it just has a small-time feel to it. The world’s biggest sporting event deserves a larger stage.

I’ve said it before, and will say it again…the Super Bowl should be rotated amongst the following cities, no exceptions: Miami, Tampa, San Diego, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, whenever they get a franchise. No threat of ice storms, snow, frigid temperatures, or gross conditions at game time if the games are always in these venues.

NFL fans that are spending thousands of dollars on tickets, hotel, travel, etc., would have a much more enjoyable experience during their Super Bowl trip if they didn’t have to pack their North Face jacket and gloves to brave the elements in February.

We’ve traveled to several Super Bowls since we started doing the Junkies show…..here’s a quick recap of some of the weather-related disasters:

Atlanta, Super Bowl 34 – Ice storm paralyzes the city, we’re lucky to catch a flight out in the midst of a driving snowstorm.

Detroit, Super Bowl 40 – No real weather issues here, but you’re depressed by the urban blight that is Detroit, Michigan.

Dallas, Super Bowl 45 – Dallas is overwhelmed by the elements, completely unprepared for the freak snowstorm that blindsided the city.

Take the elements out of the equation, and host the Super Bowl in actual tourist destinations. And don’t try to sell me the excuse that Dallas, Indy, and New York aren’t getting preferential treatment; Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Cleveland all have relatively new, modern stadiums, and they don’t get a sniff when it comes to hosting a Super Bowl.
It’s not about fairness; it’s about placating powerful owners like Jerry Jones, and hosting the Super Bowl in New York, the league’s backyard.

Do the right thing, Commissioner Goodell. Improve your signature event by limiting the number of cities that host the Super Bowl. Everybody wins, and I can shoot 107 on a silly Scottsdale golf course in the process.