The ‘Super Bowl’ is the annual playoff championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966, replacing the NFL Championship Game. Beginning in 2022, the game is played on the second Sunday in February. Winning teams are awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named after the eponymous coach who won the first two Super Bowls. Due to the NFL restricting use of its “Super Bowl” trademark, it is frequently referred to as the “big game” or other generic terms by non-sponsoring corporations. The day the game is played is often referred to as Super Bowl Sunday / Super Sunday.
Super Bowl fans are likely unaware of the risk exposures of the event and those extending far beyond the venue’s gates. Planning of an event the size and scope of a Super Bowl begins years in advance. The types of insurance policies typically needed for a Super Bowl-type of event are spread among multiple insurance carriers and include the following:
- General Liability and Excess (limits may exceed $100 million)
- Property Insurance
- Media Liability
- Event Cancellation Insurance
- Weather Insurance
In addition to the above insurance policies, there are Super Bowl exposures that require risk management controls:
- The event itself, including field, stands, and surrounding parking lots for the normal exposures of slip/trip/fall, crowd management, and security
- Preparation for potential terrorist attacks, including prevention and response
- Halftime show with all the people on stage and fireworks
- Pre-game airplane flyover
- Adverse weather that prevents participant and ticket-holder arrivals and departures, including postponement and cancellation contingency plans.
- Surrounding activities such as pep rallies, parties, entertainment events, etc.
- Collapse and other liability resulting from temporary event structures such as stages, bleachers, platforms, tents etc.
Can you imagine the risk associated with major global events that will take place in 2022?
