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Will You Boycott Super Bowl Because of Alleged Referee Favoritism for Chiefs?
Edward Smith updated website photo 2024
By Edward Smith
Published 5 months ago on
January 28, 2025

Referees' favorable calls to the Kansas City Chiefs have many football fans saying they will sit out Superbowl LIX. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

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Do you find comfort in familiarity? Or, do the same characters performing the same predictable antics turn you off?

Like a good rerun, the Kansas City Chiefs are striving for a three-peat performance in Superbowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Making the guest appearance are the Philadelphia Eagles, just as they did two seasons ago in Patrick Mahomes’ dynastic bid.

But many football fans say they will sit out the Chief’s potentially history-making trilogy.

It’s not Mahomes’ quick plays or athleticism that has fans upset. It’s not even the inevitability of Taylor Swift. Rather, boycotting fans say officials’ deference to protecting Mahomes with questionable calls has them planning to tune in to anything else on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Refs Help Flip the Script on Superbowl Popularity

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy in a Sunday tweet said — for what it’s worth — he is quitting watching football. This after he lost a $1 million bet that the Buffalo Bills would win the Superbowl.

But it wasn’t a poor performance by the Bills that got Portnoy upset, rather it was the officials’ calls against Buffalo. Especially the decision that Buffalo’s fourth-down play hadn’t crossed the plane for an all-important fourth-quarter first down.

X user Jake Slawetsky said he’d rather watch his favorite team’s rival win fairly than watch “any team be gifted a free one.”

Portnoy was less reasonable.

“Let me tell you something: the refs should in f***ing prison,” Portnoy said, according to the Independent. “Refs should be in prison, that fourth-down spot changed the whole game.”

The first-down denial wasn’t the only one to draw ire.

The controversial call to declare Mahomes’ deep pass to Xavier Worthy in the second quarter complete also ignited an uproar.

“I am not watching Super Bowl 59,” said X user Thomas Carter. “I would implore friends and family to do the same. There is 0 accountability from @NFL or @NFLOfficiating and is creating an unwatchable product. Hit them in the wallet where it hurts and take their ratings. #BoycottSuperbowlLIX.”

Ditch Egg Salad and Guac. If You’re Trying to Save, Look to Ceviche

Meanwhile, Forbes reports hosts can expect to spend about the same as last year for food to keep guests distracted from questionable referee calls — unless you’re making egg salad.

Decreases in chip prices can help offset major increases in avocados and chicken wings, which are up 12% and 7.2%, respectively. Similar to chicken prices, avian flu has egg prices spiking.

Hosts looking for savings might consider shrimp, down 4% from last year. If you want something dippable with the chips, lower prices on vegetables in your ceviche might help save the pocketbook. Just go easy on the avocado if you’re looking to save.

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Edward Smith,
Multimedia Journalist
Edward Smith began reporting for GV Wire in May 2023. His reporting career began at Fresno City College, graduating with an associate degree in journalism. After leaving school he spent the next six years with The Business Journal, doing research for the publication as well as covering the restaurant industry. Soon after, he took on real estate and agriculture beats, winning multiple awards at the local, state and national level. You can contact Edward at 559-440-8372 or at Edward.Smith@gvwire.com.

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