Super Bowl 2022 at SoFi Stadium — Courtesy: AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File
A Florida high schooler’s petition to move the NFL’s biggest event—the Super Bowl—from Sunday to Saturday is gaining major attention.
Frank Ruggeri, 18, of Palm Bay, Florida, says the game should be held on Saturdays to allow young fans to stay up late and give other fans enough time to recover from any Super Bowl festivities. Other fans responded to the petition by suggesting that a Monday holiday should be attached if the game remains on Sunday.
Ruggeri claims there are advantages for the NFL, too.
“It will get more money and get more visitors to the game. NFL will get more television views because most government jobs have Sunday off. It will let more children enjoy their beloved game on TV or at the venue. Most of the football playoff games are on Saturday anyway,” Ruggeri claims in the petition.
So far, the petition to formally change “Super Bowl 56 to Saturday” has garnered over 83,000 signatures.
“It’s really, really important to me is because 17.2 million people miss work,” Ruggeri told NewsNation’s “Morning in America,” where he discussed bucking the longstanding tradition. “That’s $44 billion less of productivity.”
“Commissioner Goodell, there would be more viewership. The people will be watching. Bigger party. And I think the economic impact would be easier to have it on a Saturday,” Ruggeri added.
“I believe it’s a change that would benefit everyone,” one person said.
Another added: “Either move it to Saturday or make the Monday after a federal holiday.”
A third person stated that it just makes “sense” to switch the Sunday tradition.
Another person said the least possible thing the NFL could do is “make kickoff time earlier.” In recent years, the game has usually started sometime after 6 p.m. ET.
Ruggeri started the petition two years ago but has been persistent in getting it out there.
“Still seeking change,” he wrote in an update two years ago. “Still want the Super Bowl to Saturday,” he added in another.
It remains to be seen if the big event will be changed.
Super Bowl LVI is scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 13.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.