SURVEY SAYS: Cheering for the Chiefs or Betting on the Buccaneers

Last week, I asked NewsDash readers, “Which team do you want to win?” I also asked readers to share what they think about how the Super Bowl will be different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

More than six in 10 responding readers (60.9%) said they want the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. The rest were evenly split between wanting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win and not caring which team wins.

Asked what they think about how the Super Bowl will be different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the majority of readers who responded to the question noted that the huge reduction in fans at the stadium will make a big difference. While some said it will make no difference to them watching at home, others lamented the inability to attend Super Bowl parties. Some thought the quality of commercials will suffer, although one reader said: “I like how some companies aren’t doing ads this year and donating that money to help the COVID cause.” I agree with the reader who said: “I’ve heard the commercials will remind us that we’re in a pandemic. Really? How about a nice distraction?” If you need fodder for more betting, one reader predicted, “For the first time in Super Bowl history we will hear the words ‘pivot’ and ‘unprecedented’ repeatedly spoken by the broadcasters. They will use these words in ways that have nothing to do with any action on the field of play.”

Here are readers’ responses:

• No fans no fun
• I miss the fans
• Less fans in attendance. Fewer commercials by big brands.
• lower attendance and more but shorter commercials
• Smaller gatherings to watch it and more people watching from home
• It will be even more pathetic than usual.
• Without the actual crowds being there, I there will be some impact. It also doesn’t help KC that TB is playing at home.
• It will be interesting to see what the stadium looks like and the pre-events during the week.
• Fans in the stadium.
• Less people in the stands, but overall watching it on TV will be the same.
• Probably won’t be going to annual Super Bowl party – just watching at home.
• There will be no difference for me. Although I live in Florida, I would not have been in Tampa for any activities, or even the Super Bowl itself (even though I would be great to attend). Ticket prices are way out of my price range.
• More focus on the game itself and less on the peripheral activities
• Diminished fan enthusiasm. Fewer quality TV commercials.
• You gotta do what you gotta do. At least there’s still a game being played.
• Less fans attending
• I’ve heard the commercials will remind us that we’re in a pandemic – really? How about a nice distraction?
• Only the crowd at the stadium.
• Patrick Mahomes will keep 6 feet of social distance from any Bucs defender all night long. Go Chiefs!
• We won’t be hosting nor attending a Super Bowl party, which will likely manifest in text strings about which commercials were good and those that missed the mark.
• I don’t anticipate much difference. The commercials may not be as good since a lot of big sponsors are forgoing it this year. I expect a good football game and am excited for that!
• I think the NFL will go to great lengths to show their fans that absolutely nothing is wrong, no matter how bad things might be behind the scenes.
• I will miss my family gathering at my brother’s for good food, laughter and lots of ad watching (and a little football watching.)
• I like how some companies aren’t doing ads this year and donating that money to help the covid cause.
• Fewer attendees; More spending on commercials; Fewer cable/network/streaming viewership.
• less fans different commercials
• Not as much fanfare, not as much hype.
• For the first time in Super Bowl history we will hear the words “pivot” and “unprecedented” repeatedly spoken by the broadcasters. They will use these words in ways that have nothing to do with any action on the field of play.
• For me, no difference. I will still be watching from home.
• No Budweiser commercials; not sure I want to bother watching the SB without the Clydesdales.
• less fanfare
• No different because I will be watching it on TV.

Among readers who left general comments, many are excited about the game, but a couple said things have changed over the years to put them off. A couple are upset the Packers didn’t make it into the Super Bowl. Quite a few comments about the quarterbacks… Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who said: “Stop using Roman numerals!”

Verbatim

Hope there will be great commercials

Wish the Packers had gone for it on 4th and would perhaps be in the Super Bowl.

This form of entertainment is to football what “Auto-Tune” is to singing. The NFL has ruined the sport and many lives.

Hope the commercials are good and I’m always against any team Tom Brady is on.

Looking forward to it…it’s one of my favorite events every year!

Looking forward to having a few munchies and watching the game. I hope it’s a close game, to make it more interesting!

It’s exciting to see my home town team – the Chiefs – go to back to back Super Bowls!!!!!

Will be interested in whether the viewership is higher than average due to virus keeping people home or less than average without big parties and less promotional activity

Stop using Roman numerals!

This will be a great match up of quarterbacks and Patrick Mahomes will shine. Back to back Super Bowl wins!

I want both teams to end in a 0-0 tie, and the commercials will be a total snoozer. Maybe halftime will save the day.

I grew up playing and watching football. What the league has done to politicize it has ruined it for me and my friends. I have not watched an NFL game in several years. We won’t be watching this one either. Just leave politics out!

The following Monday should be a holiday!

I haven’t watched a Super Bowl in 20+ years, but I think I’ll watch this one.

Aaron Rodgers is my guy and I wish the Packers were playing, but I must begrudgingly admire Tom Brady for all he has accomplished and secretly think he deserves to win. (Don’t tell anyone.)

Please don’t let Tom Brady win…his head is so full of all those rings and that dumb smile….please….

As a Miami University (Ohio) graduate, I am rooting for Deland McCullough and the Kansas City Chiefs. I have some (Red)skin in the game. 🙂

It doesn’t sound like the commercials will be as good. I hope I’m wrong.

I chose Tampa Bay because the Bears aren’t in it and I’d rather live in Tampa Bay than KC.

Screw brady

Can’t wait for it.