Lagging Super Bowl attendance, a one-year postseason ban for Belmont, and a new preseason schedule were among the most significant topics during a wide-ranging 90-minute virtual MIAA football committee meeting Wednesday morning.
Attendance at the eight 2025 Super Bowls totaled just 16,800, which MIAA liaison Richard Pearson called “incredibly low.” The 2024 Super Bowls brought in approximately 19,000 fans, while past years have reached 22,000.
The main culprit cited was poor weather.
“It was pretty brutal,” Pearson said. “The temperature was lower Friday but the wind was worse on Thursday. The wind and temp on Thursday was pretty bad and really affected our attendance. It was a cold three days.”
The committee was happy with the extra time on the field for each team with the expanded three-day schedule.
Also discussed:
▪ Belmont (0-10), which declined to play Revere in a nonplayoff game last year, will be sent a letter informing the school its football team is ineligible for the 2026 postseason. Last year the committee added a rule that any school which fails to declare a bye week then refuses to play its selected opponent will receive a one-year postseason ban.
“They were well aware of what the consequences were,” said Stoneham athletic director David Pignone. “We had multiple conversations.”
“We have to enforce the penalty,” added Milton coach Steve Dembowski. “This is why we put the rule in so people wouldn’t pull this. We have to show some backbone here.”
▪ Mansfield athletic director Tim Selmon presented a new preseason schedule based on the later start date (Aug. 24). The tweaked practice schedule shifts the three double sessions earlier in the preseason and works in a second scrimmage opportunity. Currently, two of the double sessions are scheduled for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, which may be school days with the late Labor Day, thus making it impossible to hold two practices. The committee will review the revised schedule and discuss at its March meeting, then, if passed, it will go to the Sports Medicine Committee.
▪ Citing a lack of interpretations, and noting that he has received support from across the state, officials rep Tom Azevedo recommended that the association adopt national federation procedures for overtime. One difference: teams are not required to go for 2 after scoring a touchdown. Further review/discussion, and likely a vote, is on target for the March meeting. If approved, it would be forwarded to the board of directors for a rule change.
▪ On Azevedo’s recommendation, the committee voted, 18-0-1, to increase the compensation for the chain crews at the semifinals and finals to an official’s sub-varsity fee ($80). Currently, they only receive $25.
▪ While acknowledging that the pool of neutral sites for the 16 state semifinals is an ongoing issue, Dembowski voiced concern over the lack of locker room availability and bathroom facilities, particularly pregame and at halftime at a few sites. “We need to create a better and safer environment,” he said. Stoneham AD Dave Pignone suggested pursuing college venues.
▪ Committee chair Jay Costa, the AD at Shrewsbury, said a sub-committee has been working on several proposals for a Super 8/Division 1A component. There will be a presentation in March.
▪ Alignment concerns, particularly the lack of teams in Division 2 — there are 22 teams in D2 but 48 in D8 — are not on the table for 2026. The two-year alignment process begins in the fall.
▪ Dembowski reported that some teams are still using banned electronic equipment on the sidelines, which are allowed by the NFHS but prohibited by the MIAA. A rule change to switch to NFHS rules will be prepared for the March meeting.
▪ A new arm sleeve rule goes into effect in 2027 requiring all arm coverings to meet SFIA standards that limit the amount of friction or stickiness from the fabric.
Craig Larson of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.