Niners Unhappy with Super Bowl Practice Field
The San Francisco 49ers are voicing their dissatisfaction with the conditions of their practice field ahead of Super Bowl LVIII. The team, currently in Las Vegas for preparations, believes that the playing surface at UNLV is not up to par.
Sources close to the 49ers have revealed that team staff members are displeased with the field at UNLV, which was designated by the league for the NFC champions’ practice sessions this week. It has been reported that the NFL placed natural grass on top of UNLV’s turf, but Niners personnel argue that the grass is too soft for effective practice.
ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared his insights on The Pat McAfee Show, stating, “There already have been complaints that there are seams in the practice field, that it feels like they’re walking around on a sponge.” He further explained that the NFL has regulations in place requiring Super Bowl practice fields to be assessed and meet standards by December. However, in this case, sod was laid just one week prior to the 49ers’ arrival.
“The Niners are not happy with the practice conditions of that field that the league is in charge of maintaining, and they feel like it’s a disadvantage right now,” Schefter added.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers’ Super Bowl opponents, are practicing at the Las Vegas Raiders’ facility, which reportedly has no issues with its field.
To evaluate field firmness, the league employs the “Clegg” test. NFL fields must score at or below 100g (units of gravity) to pass, with the average score typically falling in the mid- to high-70s. The Chiefs’ Super Bowl practice field scored an 80, while the Niners claim their field is somewhere in the 50s.
The situation at UNLV’s $35-million state-of-the-art football headquarters has surprised many. However, Schefter clarified that the school is merely an “innocent bystander” in this matter, as the field’s maintenance is the NFL’s responsibility.
Currently, the 49ers are scheduled for a walk-through on Monday afternoon. If necessary, they will explore alternatives, such as bringing in firmer sod or negotiating with the league to share the Raiders’ facility with their opponents.
