ATLANTA - OCTOBER 2: A general view of Soldier Field during the game between the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers on October 2, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Could Chicago host a Super Bowl? The mayor of the city thinks so and he made his pitch to Roger Goodell.
While an outdoor Super Bowl played in Chicago may not seem like the best idea to all, it didn't stop Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel from making his pitch for the city.
Emanuel mentioned the idea of a future Super Bowl at Soldier Field to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during an informal meeting Thursday. Super Bowl hosting duties are usually limited to indoor stadiums and warm weather cities, but the NFL changed its policy to allow outdoor stadiums in cold cities to host. In 2014, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. will be the first outdoor cold weather stadium to host a Super Bowl.
Beyond its frigid February climate, Chicago still faces some obstacles. The NFL has a minimum seating guideline of 70,000 while Soldier Field currently has a capacity of 63,500. Goodell did say the capacity can be worked around and, "at the end of the day we'd have to look at the specifics that would be part of the bid."
The next available Super Bowl is Super Bowl L in 2016. New Orleans host's next year's big game in 2013, East Rutherford hosts in 2014 and Glendale, Arizona is the host city of the 2015 Super Bowl.
For more on Chicago sports, visit SB Nation Chicago.
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