[Dilbert San Diego]

Off topic but:

1. Why is this Super Bowl 50 instead of Super Bowl L using Roman numerals??

2. Why has the NFL all season marketed this as the “Golden” Super Bowl, implying that this is the 50th anniversary of the NFL, when the NFL was actually founded in 1920? Why does the NFL not talk much about football history before the Super Bowl era? Can you imagine if baseball didn’t talk about Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner and Walter Johnson and Cy Young, because they played before the 1960s???

[Resolute Conservative]

#1 because majority of NFL viewers are not smart enough to get Roman numerals.

#2 There were no blacks playing gladiator ball for big $$$ back then. Men played for pennies and hurt most of the time.

[ilgipper]

For #1, branding. They made a big deal of the 50th bowl and not that many people know L is 50. Also, the connotation of L as Lame or Loser may have played role. I belive they return to LI next year.

For #2, interesting question. I believe it’s that the full NFL product came after the merger. As a fan of a pre-merger team, a lot of important history is left behind. The juggernaut of professional football happened in the Super Bowl era...really starting probably at Superbowl III when it became a true national phenomenon. Superbowl I was somewhat of an afterthought as the teams were more focused on winning their own league championship, especially on the Packers’ side. Once the merger took hold and the AFL team won their first, I think it changed everything in the sport. I was not alive, but from learning about the history of the Super Bowl era, that’s my sense. They had a more complete product and a wider audience once the merger took hold and both leagues looked like legit contenders.

[needmorePaine]

1. Why is this Super Bowl 50 instead of Super Bowl L using Roman numerals??

I believe they have addressed this and said that they didn't like the "visual appeal" of the L, which is understandable. They are going back to Roman numerals next year with Super Bowl LI. The "L" by itself does look awkward, and they want to focus on the 50.

2. Why has the NFL all season marketed this as the “Golden” Super Bowl, implying that this is the 50th anniversary of the NFL, when the NFL was actually founded in 1920? Why does the NFL not talk much about football history before the Super Bowl era? Can you imagine if baseball didn’t talk about Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner and Walter Johnson and Cy Young, because they played before the 1960s???

I don't think they are implying 50 years of the NFL. I think they are just focusing on the 50th Super Bowl.

[glennaro]

If it was called Super Bowl L, it would confuse fans when next year’s isn’t Super Bowl M.

[Bender2]

Re: 1. Why is this Super Bowl 50 instead of Super Bowl L using Roman numerals??
2. Why has the NFL all season marketed this as the “Golden” Super Bowl, implying that this is the 50th anniversary of the NFL, when the NFL was actually founded in 1920? Why does the NFL not talk much about football history before the Super Bowl era? Can you imagine if baseball didn’t talk about Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner and Walter Johnson and Cy Young, because they played before the 1960s???

Well, Dilbert, #1 if the NFL doesn't want... a big "L" any where the Super Bowl as it may be taken as meaning "LOSER!"

#2 while the Super Bowl does turns 50 this year, that does not mean the NFL does not honor it history before 1967.

And if you think otherwise about this thread... just ask big'ol_freeper--

As he is always posting ad nauseam this... when ever his Packers are in the conversation!

[discostu]

Graphic arts department complained that “L” was too hard to work with in making a logo. The numerals will be back for LI as that’s more graphically balance.

The NFL has been ignoring the pre-Superbowl era for a long time. It’s not a league that’s built around its own history. And in many ways that’s good. Look at the recent silliness in HOF voting for baseball, that dedicated cadres that says “well Ruth didn’t go in unanimous so nobody does”, baseball’s need to maintain “traditions” holds it back, and hurts its audience.

[al_c]

1. Why is this Super Bowl 50 instead of Super Bowl L using Roman numerals??

Because it would seem smaller than Super Bowl XL?