Super Bowl 2024: 49ers - Chiefs pregame updates | 8 February summary news
Super Bowl 2024: live build-up!
Where's Usher?
They've lost our Halftime Show headline act! What will we do?
Getting their skates on and finding him before Sunday is the plan. Will they do it? "Yeah!"
The climax to the NFL season is massive. Utterly gigantic! Humongous!! Well, at least the Super Bowl is in the United States.
But on a global scale, how does it compare to, say, the pinnacle of European's version of football, aka soccer, the final of UEFA's Champions League?
We decided to take a look and the results were rather interesting...
Strike a Patrick pose
Despite the neat line created in this selfie, I'd like to think it came about from the Chiefs' quarterback just shouting "smile guys!"
We're all so used to this these moments nowadays.
Chiefs in the desert
If you were choosing where not to do your daily work, especially if it was a physically exerting one, I'm guessing that the desert would probably be pretty high up the list.
Some folks don't have the luxury of choice!
Check out this aesthetically pleasing piece reflecting back on the winners of the last decade of Super Bowls.
Clark Hunt, son of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt is an American businessman, and best known for being the primary owner, Chairman, and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the grandson of oil tycoon H.L. Hunt, who is believed to have inspired the fictional J.R. Ewing character in American TV series Dallas.
Find out more about the billions behind the Chiefs.
DeBartolo comes from a family that is famous for its real estate development. Her brother, Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., was the previous owner of the 49ers football team and a controversial figure who was removed from his position by then-President Trump five years ago. After graduating, Marie Denise joined the family business, The DeBartolo Corporation, and quickly became its executive vice president.
In 1994, following her father’s death, she was appointed company co-chairman and ultimately oversaw the sale of all 78 DeBartolo malls, which were the foundation of their family business. Since 1999, DeBartolo has been heading the San Francisco 49ers team, which she later passed on to her son Jed York in 2007.
Read more about an ownership model that hasn't pleased many of the loyal fans.
Super Bowl billionaire owners
When it comes to financing these elite teams, there's got to be some serious wealth behind it, right? Let's take a look at the money behind these two franchises, one of whom will be lifting Super Bowl 2024 in a couple of days.
First up, the 'home' team, the 49ers...
The last time the Chiefs and 49ers met
The last time the two NFL powerhouses faced one another was in October 2022 as a packed house at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara watched the Chiefs overcome with a 44-23 win. A dominant showing from the visitors in the second half with Patrick Mahomes supplying key passes was instrumental in seeing the Chiefs secure a comfortable victory.
Usher / ETIENNE LAURENT / EFE
Breaking down the Super Bowl half-time show
The Super Bowl halftime show typically lasts around 13 minutes. Indeed, that was something that Rihanna commented on in the past when she considered the daunting nature of squeezing 17 years of music into a show that fans in Arizona, could enjoy. This year of course will see Usher take on the task of entertaining not just those in attendance at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, but the hundreds of millions of viewers across the globe as well.
“Six minutes on and six minutes off the stage,” Charles Coplin, a former vice president of special events for the NFL, said in 2010. “There’s just no way to describe that other than sheer terror.”
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DJ Tiësto cancels his Super Bowl LVIII set
International DJ Tiësto announced he won't perform at Super Bowl LVIII due to a personal family emergency.
Allegiant Stadium retractable football field
This is the perfect video to observe how the retractable playing football field functions at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Shadow heroes
In every Super Bowl, there are players who are expected to shine and those who emerge from relative obscurity to steal the show. This was as true for Max McGee, a receiver for the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl, as it was for Isiah Pacheco, a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
Here's a list of potential players who can shine at the next Super Bowl LVIII:
Follow all the awards as they are given out at the NFL end of season ceremony.
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The eight-time Grammy winner, whose new album Coming Home goes on general release on Friday, will join a select group of artists who have made more than one appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show.
We look back at his Super Bowl debut during the XLV edition at AT&T Stadium over a decade ago when the Black Eyed Peas headlined.
Apart from the casinos, The Strip, what else is there to do in Las Vegas? The Chiefs media crew decided to take a day trip to the Grand Canyon to take in the spectacular views and record some special footage.
Searching for Usher in Vegas
Ludacris, Lil Jon and Taraji P. Henson on the lookout for Usher in Las Vegas. Where is he? Could he have gone awol before Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show?
On Sunday, Usher will join a select group of artists who have performed more than once at the halftime show - either as the main headline act or as a special guest. His new album Coming Home drops on Friday, two days before his Super Bowl performance at Allegiant Stadium.
The singer hopes Coming Home will emulate his 2004 release Confessions, which went platinum, selling over 10 million copies in the United States. Here, he tells CBS' Tracy Smith that he doesn't like celebrating his own achievements and is constantly looking ahead to new challenges.
There have been many memorable performances at the Super Bowl halftime show over the years - Madonna, U2, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Gloria Estefan to name just a few.
But sometimes, all is not quite as it seems - not all of the acts sing live. Here we take a look at the artists who have put their faith in the sound crew and stadium PA, and those who prefer the safety of miming to a backing track.
It’s safe to say that Brock Purdy, the man who football fans met as “Mr. Irrelevant” after he was drafted in 2022, has since proven himself to be everything but. Indeed, the 49ers quarterback has gone one better than he did last season, by taking his team to the NFL’s biggest game.
AS USA's Paul Rudder profiles Purdy and his family background.
Usher speaks during today's press conference ahead of his Super Bowl Halftime Show.
(Photo: Rob Carr/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)
Usher press conference complete
Usher's pre-Halftime Show press conference has now wrapped. "I wanted to put on a show that represented my idea of creativity," said the singer, who was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about his planned set list on Sunday.
For more on Usher's press conference, check out Jen Bubel's live blog of the event.
49ers coach has "accomplished everything except what matters most"
If you're looking to read more about 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, by the way, you could do a lot worse than this in-depth profile by ESPN's Seth Wickersham.
Ahead of his second Super Bowl as San Francisco boss, the 44-year-old is a coach who has "accomplished everything except what matters most", Wickersham writes, adding: "Shanahan is ready to meet his moment".
In the fourth Super Bowl of his Chiefs tenure, head coach Andy Reid comes up against a team which, in the main, has not enjoyed facing his Kansas City side.
AS USA's Paul Rudder takes a look at Reid's record against the San Francisco 49ers.
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You can follow Usher's press conference with AS USA's Jen Bubel, who is helming a live blog of the event as we speak.
Usher planning "hopeful" Halftime Show
Usher has already offered up some details about what to expect from his Halftime Show.
In an interview with Vogue last month, the eight-time Grammy winner said he’s planning a performance that brings viewers "hope for the future".
“People will tune in for a football game, but I hope when they look at that halftime performance, I’m hoping they walk away with something that’s healing them,” Usher said.
“Something that makes them feel hopeful, and not just look at the past, but have hope for the future, and have hope for a different type of future than we’re looking at right now in the present.”
(Photo: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Ahead of his Halftime Show on Sunday, R&B singer Usher is to speak to the media today about his plans for the performance. The press conference is due to get underway at 1pm ET/10am PT.
If you're wondering how you can watch the event, let me point you in the direction of Daniela Barrera's guide on where to tune in.
The Super Bowl is the much-anticipated culmination of the National Football League season, with the game traditionally held on the second Sunday in February. However, some people have suggested that moving the game to a Saturday might be better. The reasoning behind this is that many viewers have work obligations the following day, which can make it difficult for them to enjoy the festivities.
Purdy's thoughts
"It comes down to the three hours of football that we play. It comes down to how do I do my job really well for three hours."
One of the defining features of the Super Bowl, which sets it apart from the other major sports finals, is the halftime show. The 15-minute musical interlude is one of the biggest attractions of the event, featuring the stars of the day. During the early years, and for most of the first decade, a college marching band provided musical entertainment at the interval. Later, Up with People (UWP) got involved. Guests were usually from the jazz world - Ella Fitzgerald, Doc Severinson, Lionel Hampton and Anita Bryant were among the more well known entertainers invited to perform during the 1970s.
Deebo Samuel / EZRA SHAW / Getty Images via AFP
Will Deebo Samuel be back for the Super Bowl vs the Chiefs?
The 49ers face Sunday's game with minimum injury issues. Despite concerns about Deebo Samuel’s shoulder injury in the past two weeks, he could play in the final without issues. He was recently removed from the injury designation list entirely and played against Detroit. During the game, Samuel looked solid, leading the team with eight receptions for 89 yards. Although he did not score in the last game against the Lions, he displayed strength and form returning from injury.
San Francisco 49ers / Michael Zagaris / Getty Images
49ers looking to join Patriots and Steelers
Both the Patriots and Steelers are on six Super Bowl titles with the 49ers presented with an excellent chance to join the teams from New England and Pittsburgh on the podium.
The 49ers will also be anxious to avoid a defeat which would cement a run of three consecutive Super Bowl defeats following the losses in 2012 and 2019.
49ers vs Chiefs: betting odds and predictions
Although Kansas City travel to Las Vegas as defending Super Bowl champions, US betting houses are leaning towards a San Francisco victory in Nevada. At the time of writing, the Californians’ moneyline odds mostly sat at -125, per Oddschecker (meaning that a $125 bet wins you $100). The Chiefs, meanwhile, are marginal underdogs at +110 (meaning that a $100 bet wins you $110).
49ers out to avenge 2019
San Francisco have won five Super Bowl's in their franchise history but one has to go back to 1995 for their past triumph.
The 49ers past two Super Bowl appearances have ended in defeat with the 2019 loss coming at the hands of Sunday's rivals, KC Chiefs.
KC Chiefs aiming for title No. 4
The team from Kansas City have appeared in five Super Bowl finals and have a record of won 3 with two defeats. The Chiefs are the reigning champions and are looking to retain their title after their dramatic 2023 final win over Philadelphia Eagles.
Super Bowl LVIII weather prediction
Conditions look ideal for players and fans alike on Sunday with a temperature of 67ºF during the day with a “mainly sunny sky” beaming down on the fans as they congregate outside the Allegiant Stadium in Vegas. The winds are described as “light and variable”.
As for the night, the winds are not set to change and the temperature will drop to a chilly low of 47ºF with a partly clear sky.
Taylor Swift / MARIO ANZUONI / REUTERS
Swift boosts NFL profile
Despite some griping over attention paid to Taylor Swift during Chiefs games she has attended this season, the pop megastar's appeal has benefited the league and could do the same for brands shelling out millions for a Super Bowl commercial, marketing expert Charles R. Taylor said.
The price of a 30-second spot on CBS sold for around $7 million, according to a source familiar with the ad sales, about the same as last year.
“It's definitely been good for the NFL. (Swift has) flat out increased viewership,” Taylor said.
The path to Super Bowl
Baltimore and Detroit were both the beaten semifinalists with Tigers fans still coming to terms with almost securing a place in what would have been the team's first ever Super Bowl appearance.
Looking to head to Vegas on Sunday
So, what to do if you’ve missed out on a ticket via the traditional avenues and you are still desperate to see the action in Vegas on Sunday night.
Assuming one is deep pocketed, then resorting to resale platforms is the inevitable alternative. At the time of writing (8 February), Seat Geek’s cheapest ticket offers a Section 324 (Row 8) Super Bowl ticket for just under $6,000.
Nothing beats live sports and attending a Super Bowl final is certainly on a par with that of the World Cup, Wimbledon or Champions League finals and really are once-in-a-lifetime experiences generating memories that no smart phone can ever better.
If money is no option, what are you waiting for ....book the flights, reserve that hotel and enjoy being involved in a key moment of sporting history.
Hello and welcome to our daily build-up ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.
Can the Chiefs retain then title they won last against the Philadelphia Eagles or can the the 49ers stem the run of two defeats at their last two Super Bowl finals in 2012 and 2019?
We will bringing you all the news need to know - and a little of what you don't - over the coming days to get you in the mood for the big game.
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is our host on Sunday 11 February as Super Bowl LVIII looms.