There was a lot of controversy over the New York/New Jersey area getting a Super Bowl, but after Super Bowl XLVIII, New York Giants co-owner John Mara--who was responsible for helping to bring the Super Bowl to MetLife Stadium--said he believed the area deserves to have another one in the future.
Mara appeared on ESPN radio and said that he believed the big game has a better chance at returning to the New York and New Jersey area than it does of being played in a different cold-weather outdoor stadium in the future.
The weather remained pleasant for the NFL as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII, and when asked if he thought the area should get another big game, Mara said he believes it should.
"Based on everything that's happened so far, yes. If we can be assured that we'd get the same cooperation from all the different government entities that were involved, which has been tremendous so far, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't consider doing it again," Mara said on The Ian O'Connor Show, according to ESPN.
He added: "I think that when the NFL owners that are here, when they leave MetLife Stadium tonight after this game, I'm pretty confident that most of them will say to themselves that it was a great idea to have this event in this area, New York and New Jersey, and why not come back here again. It's good for the league."
Mara also said he believed that other areas with cold-weather climates should also get a chance to host the game.
"I think it will open up some people's eyes as to why not at least consider other areas and I think we will do that," Mara told the program. "But let's face it, there is only one area like this one with the number of attractions and venues and all that New York and New Jersey have to offer. But I certainly think it does open the door a little bit for other venues."
Mara praised officials from both the Giants and Jets as well as the governments from both states for the success of the game, which was aided by an unusually mild February climate for game day.
"The people I've spoken to from both teams said they've had a great week so far," Mara said per ESPN. "Both teams enjoyed their respective practice facilities that they worked out in; I know Seattle had nothing but compliments for their week at our facility, and that's something you always worry about, too."
He added: "You want to make them as comfortable as possible. You want to give them everything they have at home so there are no competitive issues. It all seems to have come together well. ... We could not be any happier with the way things have worked out so far."
Mara also addressed the allegations that Eli Manning and the Giants sold game-worn jerseys that weren't authentic, but the owner denied any truth to the lawsuit brought against them.
"It's a frivolous suit," Mara said via ESPN, "and unfortunately it's the cost of doing business in this day and age, that people sue you and you have to defend yourselves. And unfortunately the filing of the lawsuit always brings a lot more attention than the ultimate dismissal of the lawsuit."
With the Super Bowl being a success at MetLife Stadium, it could possibly open the door to future games in cold-weather climates.
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