Cost For Attending the Super Bowl Just Got That Much More Prohibitive

Even if you find ways to negotiate the potential massive outlay that is attending the Super Bowl, like crashing at a friend’s place in Miami or somehow getting a deal on tickets, companies are going to find a way to fleece you.

It's no big surprise that the airlines want to get in on the act. Four major carriers -- American, Delta, Northwest and United -- will tack on a $50 surcharge for all passengers flying out of the three southern Florida airports on February 8, the day after the Super Bowl.

American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith told CNBC.com that the airline filed for surcharge in mid-October.

"Whether it's called a surcharge or a fair change, it comes down to the same thing — good old supply and demand," he said.

Let’s run that quote through the Babelfish corporatespeak translator:

“Hey sheeple, we’re just gonna go ahead and take you for as much as we possibly can. And we got government approval to do so. Tough toenails.”

Now, if you happen to have a hook-up on cheap accommodations, you could probably wait another day and fly out on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the majority of people traveling to Miami won’t have that luxury and will have to absorb the extra hit rather than get soaked on another night at a hotel.

Experts say this could lead to a trend of airlines pulling this stunt around big sporting events, which is yet another compelling reason why people might just opt to stay home and watch their nice, big flatscreen.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.