This will probably be the lowest rated Super Bowl in modern history.
Yes, two fairly small media markets and no East Coast teams involved...a network executive's nightmare! They are probably praying for a Carolina-Pittsburgh matchup.
I doubt it. The Superbowl has bery well established itself as an "event" in its own right. The vast majority of the audience are non-traditional football fan who don't even have a favorite team. Part of the point of media week is to give the media a chance to fake up some human interest story or other to give the non-football fans something to hook onto. It'll still get typically gigantic ratings.
"This will probably be the lowest rated Super Bowl in modern history."
Rolling Stones performing at Half Time and you still have the lowest rated Super Bowl? Even if I didn't live in Washington State I would be tuning in for that.