MIAMI, FLORIDA – During a press conference held on Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was asked to address concerns raised by the San Francisco 49ers about the quality of the practice field for Super Bowl week. The NFL had installed a grass field over the artificial surface at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
In response to the concerns, Goodell stated, “That work is being done every single day, we’ve had 23 experts out there. We’ve had the union out there. All of them think that’s a very playable surface. It’s softer than what they have practiced on, but that happens. It’s well within all of our testing standards. It is something that we think — all our experts, as well as neutral field inspectors — have all said, unanimously, that it’s a playable field.”
The NFL’s position, as articulated by Goodell, is clear: the field is deemed playable, and it is suitable for practice. However, the union’s thoughts on the matter are still being awaited.
The 49ers had expressed their concerns about the quality of the practice field, indicating that it may not be suitable for their needs during Super Bowl week. Goodell’s response emphasizes that the field has undergone extensive testing and has been deemed playable by numerous experts and inspectors.
The league’s stance suggests that the 49ers should set aside their complaints and focus on utilizing the practice field as it is. The issue serves as a reminder of the meticulous preparations and considerable attention to detail that encompass the lead-up to the Super Bowl. The quality of the practice field is just one of the many factors that play a role in ensuring a successful Super Bowl week for all participating teams.