Why watch the Super Bowl?
On February 9, 2025, Super Bowl 59 was played in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. I was one of the 120 million people who tuned in to the game, but I did so begrudgingly, plagued by memories of boring games filled to the brim with capitalism and nauseating light shows. I can’t believe that in another 365 days, I have to subject myself to this again. The Super Bowl should not be the most watched sporting event in the world, and it is the poorest example of American sports.
According to Marca, 34 Super Bowls have been decided by double-digit point margins or more. This year’s game was no different. The Philadelphia Eagles won 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs, a margin of 18 points. Only 14 games have been won by four points or less. That means more than half of these games have been absolute snooze fests and downright laughers. 120 million people should not be taking time out of their precious February Sundays to watch yet another Super Bowl blowout.
While many football fans are consumers of this vapid event, some are ad-fans. According to Kantar, 22% of Super Bowl 50’s total broadcast time was devoted to advertisements, much to the chagrin of 9-year-old me. Even this year, I could not tell you one ad that I remember a week later. If the Super Bowl is supposed to showcase the grit, toughness and candor of these elite American athletes, why am I spending close to an hour watching advertisements for Snickers, Doritos and Old Spice? I want to watch these multi-hundred pound men tackle each other over a small leather ball, not find out what kind of laundry detergent Shaq uses.
Yet another type of Super Bowl fan is the music fan. Now, this is my favorite of the three. They don’t care about the teams or the advertisements, only the coveted halftime show. Now while I do love the Rihanna Super Bowl 57 Halftime Show and Kendrick Lamar’s performance as much as the next person, why do we need to have a musical performance halfway through the game to keep us watching? I want to be interested in the game, not just incentivized to watch it by Kendrick Lamar or Katy Perry’s halftime performance.
Now the question is, Catie, do you like any major US sports championship? I would answer yes. Both the NBA Finals and World Series are great examples of American sports and should get the 120 million viewers that the Stupid Bowl gets. The three things these championships share are the reason why they are markedly superior to the Super Bowl: series format, home venues, and a smaller proportion of blowouts as compared to the Super Bowl. First, both championships have a series format. To win either championship, a team must win 4 games out of 7 games possible. The Super Bowl is a one-game championship. This means whichever team is most ready and healthy is most likely going to win. Winning is not a test of grit and character like the NBA Finals and World Series, but instead sort of a fluke. According to USA Today, 9 out of the 74 total NBA Finals have been sweeps (one team won the necessary 4 games in a row), and according to ESPN, 21 out of the 120 World Series have been sweeps. These numbers are nowhere near the more than 50% of blowouts in the Super Bowl, so statistically both of these championships are more competitive than the NFL’s championship game. Finally, both of the “better” championships are hosted at the home sites of the two teams. This really displays the heart and soul of that team’s fans, not just the ones who can afford to buy the game ticket, plane ticket and hotel room for the Super Bowl, which is played at a host site. Opposing players do not face the wrath of the rival team’s fans, and the home-field advantage is removed.
Given these concrete facts about the overall suckiness of the Super Bowl, I hope you will reconsider your dedication to this event that I dub the Stupid Bowl, and consider tuning into real displays of American sports.
Why not watch the Super Bowl?
Every year, without fail, someone (In this case Catie Orr) calls the Super Bowl “stupid.” They say it’s just a bunch of people obsessing over a game that doesn’t really matter, but that view completely misses the bigger picture. The Super Bowl isn’t just about football, it’s a cultural event that brings people together, creates unforgettable moments and showcases some of the best entertainment in the world. Dismissing it as “stupid” ignores how much it means to millions of people.
First of all, the Super Bowl is one of the rare events that brings people together, regardless of their background or knowledge of sports. Even if you don’t care about the game itself, chances are you’ll still watch the halftime show, the commercials or just join a Super Bowl party for the food and company. In a time when people seem more divided than ever, having something that unites people, even for one day, is valuable. Compared to other American sports championships like the World Series and the NBA Finals, the Super Bowl is just one game. The NBA Finals and World Series are both best of 7 showdowns. So each game in a best of 7 series matters significantly less than one winner takes all game for the championship.
Then there’s the level of talent on display. The players competing in the Super Bowl are the best of the best, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s the ultimate test of skill, strategy and mental toughness. Even if someone isn’t a football fan, it’s hard to deny the excitement of watching two elite teams battle for a championship. The game often produces legendary moments like Malcolm Butler’s game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX or the Patriots’ historic comeback against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. These aren’t just random plays, they’re examples of determination, preparation, and skill at the highest level.
Beyond the game itself, the Super Bowl is a showcase of entertainment. Every year, the halftime show features some of the biggest artists in the world, from Michael Jackson and Beyoncé to Rihanna and The Weeknd. Even the commercials, which companies spend millions of dollars to produce, become a huge part of the experience. Where else do people actually look forward to watching ads?
Lastly, the Super Bowl has a massive economic impact. It generates billions of dollars in revenue, creates jobs and boosts tourism in the host city. Calling it “stupid” ignores how much it contributes to local economies and businesses.
At the end of the day, the Super Bowl is more than just a game. It’s a tradition, a spectacle and a shared experience. It might not be for everyone, but dismissing it as pointless misses the fact that, for many, it’s one of the most exciting days of the year.
