Any cities out there entertaining the idea of seeking a Super Bowl might want to reconsider. Businesses in Phoenix are being forced to surrender free speech rights to the all-powerful National Football League. The next Super Bowl will be hosted by the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, along with the loss of free speech for area businesses.
Bowing to the NFL’s directive, the entire downtown area of Phoenix has been designated as a “Special Promotional and Civic Event Area,” through Feb. 19. No resident or business in the city-imposed “clean zone” will be permitted to display temporary signage without the approval of the city, the NFL and the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee. The permission deadline for temporary messages was this past Thursday.
