The Test

Just because NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has the cold-weather Super Bowl for which he advocated doesn't necessarily mean it's a one-shot deal with him. As commencement speaker for UMass-Lowell, where he accepted an honorary degree on behalf of his late father, New York senator Charles E. Goodell, the commish in as much called Super Bowl XLVIII in the new Meadowlands stadium a test case. The success of playing the 2014 game, he said, will determine if any other cold-weather, outdoor proposals will be accepted in the future.

Even if it's a rousing success, cold-weather fans shouldn't expect that future to be the immediate one. Bids are voted on four years in advance, so 2015, 2016, and 2017 will already have been awarded to either domed stadiums or warm-weather arenas before New York-New Jersey takes its swings.

EP