Sport Super Bowl
23 experts examine the 49ers’ alleged turf problem
Status: 06.02.2024 | Reading time: 2 minutes
The San Francisco 49ers practice at the University of Las Vegas practice facility before the Super Bowl
Quelle: AP/Tony Avelar
Before the Super Bowl, the teams strive for perfect preparation. The San Francisco 49ers are now complaining about the grass at their training facility. The NFL then sends out a huge delegation of experts. Then the league boss speaks out.
If the San Francisco 49ers lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday (Monday, 12:30 a.m. live on RTL/DAZN), the team from California will already have an excuse ready. As “ESPN” and “CBS” report, among others, the 49ers’ training facility in Las Vegas is in a catastrophic condition. Coach Kyle Shanahan’s team trains before the final on the University of Las Vegas field, which was relocated especially for Super Bowl week.
Apparently a serious mistake was made. The natural turf is said to have simply been laid over the original artificial turf so that the university team can then use the usual surface again. That’s why the training field is said to be far too soft, the 49ers are said to have complained to the NFL. As “NBC” reports, the league prescribes a hardness level of 70 to 80. San Francisco’s training field should only have a hardness level of around 50.
Roger Goodell, head of the NFL, said at his annual press conference: “We had 23 experts on duty who looked at the field. The players union was out. They are all convinced that it is a very good surface to play on.” Goodell added to the 49ers: “Yes, the grass is softer than the one they usually train on. It’s simply how it is. The turf fully meets our standards.” The neutral field inspectors unanimously confirmed that it was a “good playable” field.
also read
The soft surface still causes dissatisfaction among the team from San Francisco. “We have to deal with what we get,” coach Shanahan said tightly at Media Day. Nevertheless, the 49ers are said to have complained to the NFL several times. The organization fears a competitive advantage for the Chiefs. The reigning champions complete their sessions at the Las Vegas Raiders training center. Here too, a fresh lawn was laid, which is apparently more resistant to wear and tear.