Being a member of the Super Bowl LIX Supplier Diversity Program means your company was selected as an event-ready local, diverse provider of goods and/or services in your specific business specialty area. You and other members are eligible to compete for contracts related to Super Bowl as well as inclusion in the Super Bowl LIX member directory utilized by NFL Super Bowl vendors and will be disseminated to partner organizations at the conclusion of the program.

It is important to note that securing a spot in the program does not guarantee that a contract opportunity will be presented.

Member businesses accepted in the program will be a part of an exclusive listing of suppliers utilized by event producers from the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, New Orleans Saints, and NFL vendors looking for experienced, qualified local suppliers with the capacity to help execute Super Bowl contracts.

However, once in the program, there is no distinction between members. Accepted businesses are considered “approved suppliers” which designates they have met all eligibility criteria of the Super Bowl LIX Supplier Diversity Program.

The member directory is intended to help promote accepted businesses to the NFL and its affiliates and contractors, including the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee and the New Orleans Saints in preparation for Super Bowl LIX. The directory will be available on the NFL’s internal website accessible by NFL prime vendors. At the conclusion of Super Bowl LIX, the directory will be uploaded to the NFL’s National supplier diversity database which is accessible by NFL staff, teams, sponsors, and partner organizations affiliated with the NFL.

The directory is a primary resource for NFL vendors and event producers associated with Super Bowl LIX. While there is a requirement for diverse business engagement by all NFL Vendors, they are not limited nor mandated to exclusively use companies listed in the Super Bowl LIX member directory. This Supplier Diversity Program provides increased exposure to opportunity but remains a competitive process and will not guarantee Super Bowl contracting.

All logos associated with Super Bowl LIX including the Supplier Diversity Program, New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, NFL, New Orleans Saints and all associated event logos are copyright protected brands and cannot be reproduced, copied, or utilized without written permission in any format (e.g., websites, social media, company newsletters, press releases, promotional items). Logos produced by the NFL may be provided for member use at the league’s discretion.

The products and services listed on the program website and application are aligned with the categories, which data shows, are most often procured to support Super Bowl events. Even though it is unlikely that businesses that provide unlisted products or services will be accepted into the program, we still encourage all diverse businesses to apply as needs may vary for Super Bowl LIX and beyond.

If your business provides more than one product or service, you should select the specialty area that aligns with your main line of business in which you have the strongest experience. Accepted businesses will be listed by their primary category in the member directory, however, there will be an opportunity for additional specialty areas to be designated.

Super Bowl contracting is a competitive 10-month process between April 2024 and February 2025. Businesses can be contacted to bid at any time during this period. Event producers and NFL vendors use the member directory as a tool to identify suppliers. All purchasing processes, decisions and timelines rest solely with the buyer. There is no centralized site for RFPs nor a master calendar of opportunities available. This is a vendor-led process, and buyers will contact members at their discretion. Members are encouraged to always be prepared and keep all business information updated.

It is advantageous to attend events and activities related to the Super Bowl LIX Supplier Diversity Program. Regular networking helps decision makers build direct relationships and better understand your company’s capabilities. Participation also increases member exposure and is noted in your company file. Finally, we encourage business owners to be responsive, honest about their capabilities, and flexible when meeting and working with buyers.

Please understand that there are no guarantees that participating in the Super Bowl LIX Supplier Diversity Program or its activities will result in a contract award.

The program is completely free and there is no costs associated with matchmaking, capacity building, or networking, however, the program requires diversity certification which may carry costs to obtain and is the responsibility of the business. Additionally, there may be standard business development costs that the business may choose to incur that are inherent in any competitive bidding process (e.g., marketing materials, product samples).

Every contract will carry its own specific requirements. Member businesses must work directly with each contract owner to review and negotiate all compliance terms and timelines which can vary widely for each contract.

Feedback from NFL buyers are as follows:

• Responsiveness is key: List your cell phone number in the directory, on your Supplier Diversity Program materials, and email. Buyers often work nights and weekends and will want to reach you directly.
• Be diligent in your reviews: It is important to carefully examine all legal agreements, deadlines, and requirements. Once engaged, businesses are responsible for executing on all agreed terms.
• UNDERPROMISE AND OVERDELIVER: Do not oversell your capacity or overbid your services. Businesses are expected to provide competitive pricing at the highest level of performance. Doing so nurtures the possibility for long-term relationships and future opportunities.

The goal of the NFL Supplier Diversity Program is to create a robust database of event ready suppliers that can fulfill contracts related to Super Bowl LIX, but also take advantage of long-term opportunities with the NFL, its teams and partners. As a legacy component of this program, member businesses will be included in the Super Bowl LIX directory which will continue to be used by the NFL and disseminated to partner organizations at the conclusion of the program.

No. Certification is not required to apply or to be accepted into the program. However, accepted participants will need to become certified during the program in order to be presented with program-generated contracting opportunities. Businesses that are working toward certification can still benefit from the program’s capacity building and networking activities. However, certification must be obtained prior to New Orleans Super Bowl LIX on February 9th, 2025 in order to be included in the NFL directory as an official Super Bowl LIX member and potentially benefit from anticipated legacy opportunities.

Yes. Only certified participants will receive “member” status which allows diverse businesses to compete for contracts made available within the program as well as be included in the Super Bowl LIX member directory utilized by the NFL and its partners.

There are many third-party entities that provide diversity certifications. However, for the Super Bowl LIX Supplier Diversity Program, only specific certifications will be accepted.  A list of NFL-recognized certifying agencies can be found under the “Certification Requirement” section of this site. Each agency has specific requirements and timelines;  please contact them directly for additional information and/or assistance.