Neal Augenstein, Tech Editor
As a non-watcher of most Super Bowls since Joe Namath predicted beating the Baltimore Colts (ask your parents), I’m looking forward to a few hours of relatively empty supermarkets, Targets and Costco during the big game.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Dave Dildine, Traffic Reporter
I’ll be watching the Semifinals of the Aussie Open. (I’m that guy.) Too much hype for me.
(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
AP Photo/Vincent Thian
Debra Feinstein, Midday Anchor
I hate to admit this in public, but I’m not all that interested in the big game. So every year at my friend’s Super Bowl party, my girlfriend kindly stocks me up with great wine and lots of reading material that I enjoy, but rarely have time to delve into. OK, by reading material I mean “People” magazine and the like. Shhh! But I LOVE my stack o’ rags and I look forward to my yearly fix!
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mike Jakaitis, Morning Drive Editor
I look forward to the end of the two weeks of BS leading up to the game. Just get me to kickoff!
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Lori Lundin, Anchor/Reporter
I only watch for the halftime show and the commercials. Don’t care about football at all!
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
Mitchell Miller, News Director
A relatively new aspect of the Super Bowl I’m looking forward to is what people Tweet during the game. If it’s possible, the game is even bigger, now that conversations extend across the country — not just the living room.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Rachel Nania, Living Editor (and noted soccer fan)
THE END OF THE (American) FOOTBALL SEASON.
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
AP Photo/Adam Hunger
Megan O’Rourke, Traffic Reporter
I’m looking forward to the empty grocery store and not having to wait in line while the rest of town is glued to the TV!
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Dimitri Sotis, Evening Anchor
All the funny commercials in the world can’t make up for a lopsided game. Please, football gods … make it close.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
George Wallace, Sports Reporter
First and foremost I am really concerned to see whether Tom Brady gets over his cold that has made headlines this week!
Will the Deflategate be a major distraction for the Patriots? Personally, I think this is when they do their best work — when they are angry! Will the Seahawks benefit from being “somewhat” under the radar?
This is big for the Pats (Brady/Belichick) because they can solidify themselves as all-time greats with a win.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
WASHINGTON — The Super Bowl is far more than a football game, and has been for years now. It is arguably the formative televised American cultural event, bringing together fans and non-fans alike. It has spawned entire cottage industries and dominates the headlines for two weeks leading into the game.
Since 2005, Super Bowl viewership has risen every year except one (dipped from 111.3 million viewers in 2012 to 108.4 in 2013 before setting a new high of 111.5 last year), rising nearly 30 percent over the past 10 years.
Meanwhile, after cracking $2 million per 30-second ad in 1999, the cost of a Super Bowl spot will leap from $4 to $4.5 million this year. NBC — which took over the broadcast this year — announced it had filled its spots on Wednesday, just four days before the game. While that was much later than FOX, which filled its slots roughly two months before the 2014 game, it shows that advertisers are still willing to pay outrageous rates to be part of the biggest TV event of the year.
As such, the Super Bowl offers something for everyone. Some of you are probably wondering whether the Patriots will use five defensive linemen to slow Seattle’s vaunted rushing attack, while others are more focused on whether you should be frying or smoking your wings. We asked the WTOP newsroom what they are most looking forward to on Sunday, and the wide range of answers should come as no surprise.
