The NFL has awarded Super Bowl LV to Tampa Bay after stadium construction delays in Los Angeles required the league to move back their opportunity by one year. The league’s owners voted unanimously for the move to Raymond James Stadium.
“From our standpoint, we felt this was an appropriate thing to do,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We were fortunate that Tampa had a very competitive presentation when they bid on the Super Bowl earlier (in 2016). So this was a solution the membership got on very quickly.”
Los Angeles will now host the 2022 game, but the Tampa Bay area will relish the chance to again welcome one of the most prestigious, and lucrative, sporting events in the world.
“The Tampa Bay area has enjoyed great success over the years hosting Super Bowls and we look forward to working with our local leaders in the coming months to meet the requirements for hosting Super Bowl LV in 2021,” said Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer in a statement.
The overwhelming success Tampa enjoyed hosting the 2017 College Football National Championship certainly did not hurt the city’s and the region’s effort to land this marquee event. Tampa Bay received numerous accolades for the way they pulled off a similar, though slightly smaller, football event.
Tampa Stadium hosted Super Bowls in 1984 and 1991, while Raymond James Stadium welcomed participants in 2001 and 2009. Hosting the game derives an economic impact of up to $800 million, according to P.J. Johnston, NFL spokesman for Super Bowl 50.
Whatever that amount turns out to be will be complimented by the entire world watching on television and seeing the many sights of Tampa Bay.