Friends who have attended every Super Bowl plan final trip

[mahatmakanejeeves]

The Associated Press Retweeted

Super streak: Three friends who've attended every Super Bowl are hoping for a memorable contest this year, because it will probably be their final trip to the big game as a group. The men, are all in their 80s, and have attended every game since 1967. http://apne.ws/nkub2KA #odd

Link to tweet

Friends who have attended every Super Bowl plan final trip
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Three friends who have attended every Super Bowl are hoping for a memorable contest this year, because it will probably be their

[blueinredohio]

1. Must have a lot of money.

[SergeStorms]

2. Not really.

If this is what they've dedicated their lives to, a person with a regular job could swing it.

If they had no other hobbies that require money, and they're frugal throughout the year, it would be possible.

You may very well be correct, but I'm thinking someone could do it on a normal salary.

[BobTheSubgenius]

7. Social Security is not a normal salary.

They must have retired with the "old normal" pensions - defined benefits. Or a pile of savings.

[SergeStorms]

12. Well, I'm retired.

And though these guys are older than myself, they did come from a time where you could go "from cradle to grave" with one factory job, and with amazing benefits. Jobs like that are long gone in this day and age.

We may never know how they managed this financially, but it would be interesting to find out.

[BobTheSubgenius]

13. Exactly.

Govt. has allowed corporations to not only gut pensions, but let them play fast and loose with what's left.

I had a technical job that had the fortunate advantage of being covered by the IBEW. On the downside, we were a tiny unit with not a lot of clout. For whatever reason, the people I worked with never thought they'd retire, I guess.

Naturally enough, the company's pension plan was not available to us - whatever it was - and the formula for ours was $x times years of service per month. Every contract, the "x" would be negotiated upward, but at a glacial place.

By the time I left, it had reached the princely sum of $13. So, after the 12+ years I spent there, and minus the little bits and pieces that we were never told about, my monthly from them is $108.

Fortunately, I had made some arrangements of my own, and the govt. of Canada is far more generous than the Fortune 500 subsidiary that I worked for. My wife and I get by, but Heaven knows what we'd do if I didn't own this house. The average 2 BR rental here is $2300.

Before we got married (2nd for both), I told her that she was marrying the ant, and not the grasshopper. Not that she should expect anything like a grand lifestyle, but we'd be warm and indoors, and eating every day...plus a few perks.

Our life is in SPITE of the pensions, not because of.

[JT45242]

3. That was the first thing I thought-- a lot of money

Was listening to NFL radio yesterday and they were talking to a player who lost in the SB about 10-15 years ago.

He said that once he was able to buy the game tickets, hotel rooms, and plane tickets for his relatives (about30 people ) -- his entire SB losers check was gone. He joked that once you added in the dinner he took everyone too, he lost money playing in the superbowl.

I would love to go to one -- once -- but I doubt that I will ever have enough disposable income to be able to blow that kind of money for one weekend.

[BobTheSubgenius]

6. Exactly what my reaction was.

I checked one of those online ticket agents, and the cheapest 3 seats together were just under $7200.

[getagrip_already]

11. they have been celebrities at this for years.....

I doubt they bear any high financial burdens. Tickets are likely comped and special seating arranged by the league.

They may even get free airfare and accommodations at this point. They are very special to the league.

But as noted by others, they would probably find a way to go no matter what.

[George II]

4. Not nearly as impressive, but from 1968 through 2015 (48 years) I attended at least one day....

...at Saratoga Race Course, even though I never lived closer than 151 miles away.

But driving is a lot cheaper than plane fare, never stayed at a hotel, and $2 admission is a far cry from what these guys must have spent in all those years.

[ENO in 2024]

5. That's good

They are good guys and I am glad they had fun.

[hermetic]

8. That's a nice story

About some good friends. We should all be so lucky. I hope it's a really good game.

[LoisB]

9. That's great. I hope they have a few more in them.

nt

[rsdsharp]

10. The first Super Bowl was relatively sparsely attended,

in part because tickets were so expensive — $12, instead of the usual $8. Just over $100 today.

Tickets this year range between $4500 and $55,000. Plus fees!