The Super Bowl: More than a Game

This Sunday the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are playing in Super Bowl 59. Here’s everything you need to know about the game that brings people from all walks of life together to experience something they might not always have enjoyed. 

Worldwide Impact

According to an NFL.com article, there were approximately 200 million viewers that watched Super Bowl 57 in 2022. That accounts for 60% of all people in the United States. Super Bowl LVII total viewing audience estimated at 200 million 

The big game is also now broadcast in over 180 countries and in multiple languages. This has led to several regular season games that have been played in London and Brazil. Teams will play games in Germany and Spain next season.

Music and Culture

The halftime show, known as the “biggest performance of the year,” draws in many non-NFL fans.” What used to be just marching bands has now turned into performances by the biggest names in music history, such as Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Prince. This year Kendrick Lamar will be performing. He has had an extremely successful year, as he recently won Grammy’s for Record and Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance for “Not Like Us.” The artist or group that performs is not paid any money. But they’re exposed to millions of people watching. After Rihanna’s performance in 2023, her music streams spiked 600%. 

What people really watch 

Another thing that draws in millions of people each year is the commercials. Companies know this is one of the most watched programs of the year and look to take full advantage of it. In 1967, a 30-second commercial cost around $40,000. For last year’s game, the cost was around $7 million. This year, it looks to be closer to $8 million for a commercial. Companies pay around $4 million for a spot in pre- and post-game commercials.

There has also been a big increase in the cultural and social influence that the Super Bowl brings. There are companies that pay for commercial spots to say something political or produce a social message. 

Economic Impact

The economic impact that the game brings is extremely substantial. The host city itself has generated around $1 billion in revenue throughout the week. Pulling off such a large-scale event requires thousands of people, creating thousands of jobs. So although a lot of the money will go straight back to the NFL, there are a lot of people who benefit financially. 

The amount of viewers doesn’t change drastically year-to-year because people come for more than just the game. And for this year’s game between the Eagles and Chiefs, there’s more to enjoy than just the game itself.

Ways to enjoy 

KWU Student Media spoke with Senior Beau Grant, who is not a fan of either team but will still find a way to enjoy the most out of the game. He hosts an hour on the KWU student radio where he talks about sports and sports betting.

He said, “Unfortunately, my favorite team isn’t in it, so I’ll just be hanging out with friends, and we’ll all hang out and watch. We’ll probably place some bets to make things a little more interesting. Overall, I’m hoping for a good game and an exciting Super Bowl. I love the Super Bowl, and honestly, it’s a holiday for me, and I’m looking forward to having some fun.”

So although he doesn’t have a dog in the fight, he, like millions of people all around the world, will take the time to enjoy a great tradition and celebrate Super Bowl 59.