NEW ORLEANS — Billions of dollars change hands during the Super Bowl each year. A program introduced Wednesday could make sure some will go to local and diverse vendors when the big game comes to New Orleans in 2025.
The Supplier Diversity Committee will target “minority, woman, disabled, LGBTQ+ and veteran-owned businesses,” according to a press release. They must own 51% or more of the business, and it must be located in the 10-parish Greater New Orleans region.
With the program, the NFL will ensure those businesses “have an active role in everything that is going to occur in February in New Orleans,” said Committee Chair Kim Boyle at a press conference Wednesday.
She explained that the NFL has had programs like this for Super Bowls in the past. What sets the SDC apart will be the seeking out of “professional services” like IT support, legal counsel, and graphic design, as opposed to just vendors like caterers and security firms.
However, this does not mean that local and diverse businesses will be selected. Once accepted into the program, they will compete against other vendors not in the program. From there, “contractors will make their own determinations…. as to which companies they like and who they would like to offer a subcontract to,” said Boyle.
She added that even companies not selected will benefit from the program, as they will be offered workshops and networking opportunities that “may put [them] in the running later on.”
The application window opens on February 26 and closes on March 31.
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