On this episode of Our American Stories, The Super Bowl wasn’t always America’s biggest event. Emmy Award–winning producer and author Dennis Deninger tells how a rejected expansion bid, the rise of the AFL, and secret merger talks led to the creation of a new championship game.

From its unsold seats and modest halftime shows to its transformation into a cultural and economic juggernaut, this is the story of how the Super Bowl grew from a league experiment into America’s secular holiday. Deninger is the author of The Football Game That Changed America.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Super Bowl wasn&rsquo;t always America&rsquo;s biggest event. Emmy Award&ndash;winning producer and author Dennis Deninger tells how a rejected expansion bid, the rise of the AFL, and secret merger talks led to the creation of a new championship game. From its unsold seats and modest halftime shows to its transformation into a cultural and economic juggernaut, this is the story of how the Super Bowl grew from a league experiment into America&rsquo;s secular holiday. Deninger is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFootball-Game-That-Changed-America%2Fdp%2F1538196786&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C98a608f4989a4a7f118f08de634f7217%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639057390038074291%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2C%2F1vSMnmrn%2BBhXLPQJwA24C7uL4yEeL6H0pThPmigc%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">The Football Game That Changed America</a>.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

How the Super Bowl Was Born: From Rival Leagues to a National Holiday

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7ea625ce-6a97-4c63-845d-b3e6015ff059/transcript