Text & photos
By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
WHILE the rest of the world’s eyes were on Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the heat was just as intense on Saipan. On Monday, speaking from the local sidelines, Marpac resident manager Guy Pudney revealed that Super Bowl LX triggered a tremendous surge in activity, with sold-out watch parties across the island.
Turnout for this year’s big game surpassed expectations, with Saipan’s hotels reaching maximum capacity.
Pudney highlighted the staggering numbers from Marpac-sponsored venues. Marianas Beach Resort recorded an excellent turnout, with 180 packs selling out an entire week before kickoff. Aqua Resort Club was another sell-out success, hosting roughly 100 passionate fans, while Saipan World Resort posted a strong showing with approximately 60 to 65 packs filled for the event.
Local bars such as Joe’s Bar, the VFW, and Johnny’s Bar also reported strong turnouts from football fans.
“The community’s dedication to the Super Bowl is undeniable,” Pudney said, noting the sea of fans who gathered to witness the 60th NFL championship game.
While Saipan is known for its diverse fan bases, Pudney pointed to a distinct trend this year. “As you can tell, we have a lot of football fans here,” he said. “But more generally, I’ve noticed we have a lot of Seattle Seahawks fans in Saipan.”
That local loyalty paid off. The Seattle Seahawks won, handily beating the New England Patriots, 29-13.
When asked who he was personally rooting for, Pudney admitted his heart belongs to a team not in the hunt — the Dallas Cowboys. Still, like many viewers this year, he said he has been captivated by one of the season’s biggest comeback stories.
“I’m kind of rooting for the quarterback of the Seahawks, Sam Darnold,” Pudney said. “A couple of years ago, the team that drafted him — the Jets — gave up on him. Now he’s making a comeback and he’s in the Super Bowl. It’s a great story.”
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
