Tailgating Banned at Super Bowl!!

Published 26 January 07 02:52 PM | scoutmom

Let me say right off the bat, no, I'm not going to the Super Bowl.  But, that doesn't lessen my outrage in the slightest.  Super Bowl officials have confirmed that tailgating is banned.  Not only that, you can't tailgate within a mile of the stadium.  And, hey, if you were thinking of driving your RV down to Miami, don't plan on parking it in the lot at Dolphin Stadium. 

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the "no tailgating" policy has been in place at the Super Bowl for several years, the result of tightened security after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  Because tailgaiting is permitted during regular- and post-season games for the Miami Dolphis, a team official had said on Tuesday that it would be allowed during the Super Bowl.  WRONG!!

Anyone caught committing the crime of grilling and/or consuming alcolhol within a one-mile radius of Dolphins Stadium "will be warned to get their things and leave," according to Detective Nelda Fonticella of the Miami-Dade Police. 

Oh, and by the way, there is only parking for 11,000 vehicles available at the stadium and the special permits purchased in advance cost $60 to $325 per vehicle.  And you can't take a cab or private shuttle to the stadium.  No private shuttle drop-offs or pickups at Dolphin Stadium will be allowed.  You can use the Park and Ride option to park in a remote lot and take a bus to the game.  Why, you ask, are there only 11,000 parking spaces?  Because they're using much of the parking lot for the 1-million-square foot "NFL Experience," an interactive football 'theme' park and party on Super Sunday open to ticket holders only, for a price of course.  "That's not tailgating; that's corporate sales," said Ray Bridges, a Colts fan with tickets to the game. 

When told there was no tailgating Mike Baum, a Bears season-ticket-holder who has a custom-made, blue and orange school bus he uses for tailgating at Soldier Field, said "It's football! It's what we do!  What am I supposed to do -- park in front of somebody's house and walk down the sidewalk with a tray of sandwiches?" 

Sure, Mike, as long as you're at least a mile away.

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Comments

# Sally said on January 27, 2007 11:11 AM:

Not surprised tailgating is banned, after all who benefits from that???  Not one single person, except, maybe the fans who support the teams all year long, the ones who spend hard earned money to buy the rv's, buy the foods, buy the team paraphernalia, oh yes and buy the tickets!!!  Oh well, I am content to watch from home.  I have too many "corporate America sales" affairs to attend as it is!! (hmm maybe I should leave the 'America' out)

Congratulation Scoutmom on your blog, nice work!!!

dat4255

# fleur_de_lis said on January 27, 2007 04:12 PM:

You think you've heard it all...

# fleur_de_lis said on January 28, 2007 03:19 PM:

Scoutmom--I like reading Dave Barry's columns and thought you might enjoy this one:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/columnists/dave_barry/

# scoutmom said on January 28, 2007 05:54 PM:

Ah, Miami...memories...

GREAT column!  Love Dave Barry

# Krupo said on January 30, 2007 11:01 PM:

Good to hear the corporate jerks ruin things for people yet again.