Supplier diversity program offers local businesses chance to work in Super Bowl

By Khalil Gillon
Contributing Writer

(Veritenews.org) — A new supplier diversity program for next year’s Super Bowl seeks to give subcontracting opportunities to local businesses led by minorities, women, people with disabilities, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

New Orleans is hosting the 2025 Super Bowl, marking its record-tying 11th time as the host, and planning has already begun. More than 100,000 visitors are expected to flock to the city for the championship game. Super Bowl organizers will need to find contractors and subcontractors for needs ranging from audio visual equipment and temporary housing to floral arrangements and graphic design.

The New Orleans Super Bowl LIX Host Committee – the organizers charged with the preparation of the event in tandem with the NFL – introduced the supplier diversity program at a Wednesday (Feb. 21) news conference. The program will offer professional development and networking opportunities to local businesses that may not have had a chance to participate in the Super Bowl otherwise.

“We’re talking about creating value with economic development in our city, social responsibility, philanthropy, but ensuring that our local and diverse businesses have an active role in everything that is going to occur next February in the city of New Orleans.” said Kim Boyle, chair of the supplier diversity subcommittee. (Boyle is on the Verite News board of advisers.)

Businesses seeking to take advantage of the program must be based in the one of 10 parishes surrounding the New Orleans metropolitan area. Also, businesses must have been established before February 2022. Eligible candidates will also be required to possess a national or local diversity certification from a third- party organization.

“The NFL looks for businesses who have the capacity and capability to fulfill Super Bowl event production and professional service needs,” said Chincie Mouton, director of community engagement for the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. “We review business characteristics, such as online presence, marketing, collateral, customer feedback and other related items.”

Both the program and securing a contract for the Super Bowl are competitive processes, Mouton said.

“Not everyone will walk away with a contract, yet businesses accepted into the program will have access to the capacity-building sessions and networking opportunities,” Mouton said.

Businesses accepted into the program will have access to an online portal that will allow them to bid on and accept subcontracts from NFL contractors to prepare the city for the Super Bowl next February.

Registration for the supplier diversity program opens next Monday (Feb. 26) through the New Orleans Super Bowl committee website. The registration period closes on March 31.

“Now is the time,” Boyle said for those interested in the program. “Go to the website, immediately look at what all the eligibility requirements are, and what it entails. Make sure if you’re not currently certified, that you’re going through the certification process now, make sure that your business is active and in good standing right now.”

This article originally published in the February 26, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.