NFL Has Image Problem In Wake Of Super Bowl Ticket Fiasco
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's not just the displaced fans of the Dallas Super Bowl fiasco who are angry, local public relations experts say.
There is great sympathy for the victims and worry that what happened to some could happen to others in future Super Bowls.
And the failure of the National Football League to get on top of the situation quickly instead issuing piecemeal solutions is exacerbating the problem.
As football fans across America get angrier about one of the biggest botched Super Bowls in 45 years, the NFL has an image problem.
"Football is now America's past-time and to have a black eye on its biggest day on its biggest stage I think presents a real problem for the NFL," public relations expert Bob Oltmanns told KDKA Money Editor Jon Delano.
Oltmanns has provided PR advice to major companies in Pittsburgh, and he says the NFL looks miserly as each day it adds to what it will do for affected fans.
"In trying to scramble to make some sort of amends with the displaced fans at the Super Bowl, they are being penny wise and pound foolish," he said.
Steve Tanzilli directs Point Park University's sports art entertainment program and has his own sports marketing company.
His advice to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: "I think they need to come out with a formal apology. I think they need to fully explain to the public (a) first of all what happened, (b) ensure the public it will never happen again."
Tanzilli says fans need to know they can trust that buying a ticket to future Super Bowls really gets the seats promised.
"It's a very disconcerting problem and I think the NFL needs to clearly state to the public that this is never going to happen again and then make right to those they wronged in Dallas."
Oltmanns says the best way to do that is to give those displaced fans something that would make every football fan say "wow."
"Take these people who were displaced at the Super Bowl and blow them away with something so extraordinary that only the NFL can provide that it makes the rest of us think, 'Boy, I wish I had been the one screwed out of a Super Bowl ticket.'"
Oltmanns has two ideas for that "wow" solution.
First, season tickets for a year for the NFL team of your choice paid fully by the NFL.
Or, a full week all expenses paid trip to a Super Bowl of your choice with VIP treatment and behind-the-scenes access to the teams on Roger Goodell's gold card.
Wow.
