Las Vegas officially ‘on the clock’ for 2024 Super Bowl

PHOENIX — There was one more handoff left following the Kansas City Chiefs win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

“Las Vegas, you are now on the clock,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday.

The Arizona Host Committee handed over the Super Bowl reins to Las Vegas, officially starting the countdown to the 2024 edition taking place Feb. 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium.

“Las Vegas knows how to do big events,” Goodell said. “They really have done an extraordinary job of understanding how we want to represent the NFL in that community, but more importantly how we do it Las Vegas style.”

Gov. Joe Lombardo, who was on hand for the handoff, told the assembled media, “You’re going to be dazzled by the lights of the Las Vegas Strip. You’re going to be amazed at the world-class entertainment. You’re going to be impressed by the natural beauty of Nevada and you’re going to be impressed by an unforgettable Super Bowl experience at Allegiant Stadium.”

To commemorate the occasion, the Vegas Super Ball was unveiled Monday morning outside of the Phoenix Convention Center. The football weighs 1,200 pounds and is 13 feet long and 8 feet in diameter. It was created to symbolize Super Bowl LVIII, which is expected to be a larger than life event.

“We are very cognizant that we have one opportunity to get the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas right,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “We are going to work very hard and we have an exceptional team. We’ve been working to do this for 60 years, so we are excited about the opportunity and are excited about the team we have put together in Las Vegas to make this happen.”

The ball was constructed from carved blocks of foam, using a router machine, with the additional details sculpted by hand. After the ball’s shell was sculpted, it was hard-coated by spray-on polyurethane shell.

Following the drying of the hard coat, the texture of the pigskin was hand-painted.

Between those who took part in the drawings, router operations, sculpting, painting and metal work, 30 crew members were used to create the oversized football.

The massive football will travel back to Las Vegas on the back of a flatbed truck and make appearances throughout the valley leading up to the big game. It’s inaugural appearance will be at Allegiant Stadium Tuesday afternoon, where members of the Super Bowl Committee will be on hand to welcome the ball home.

A planned marquee takeover is also planned Tuesday evening, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., with the Super Bowl LVIII logo slated to be displayed up and down the Las Vegas Strip.

The first Super Bowl in the city’s history will be the fourth major NFL event held in Las Vegas since the NFL began play in the city in 2020. The city hosted the last two Pro Bowls and the 2022 NFL draft.

Fans attending the game are expected to generate an estimated total economic impact of more than $500 million based on previous Super Bowls, according to the Las Vegas Super Bowl Committee.

Committee member Jeremy Aguero, an economist, previously told the Review-Journal that the weekend revenue will likely top the $1 billion mark, when you add the money spent by fans who will be in the city to watch the game at various resorts and sports books.

“The Silver and Black has had a long history of … putting our hearts on the field for our incredible fans,” said Raiders President and Las Vegas Super Bowl Committee member Sandra Douglass Morgan. “I know Las Vegas will do the same as a first-time host city for Super Bowl LVIII.”

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.