Accession Number:

AD1029672

Title:

Enhancing the NFLs Counter-Terrorism Efforts: Is the Leagues Security Scheme Able to Effectively Thwart Terrorist Attacks

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA MONTEREY United States

Personal Author(s):

• Bolstad,Jeffrey S.

Report Date:

2016-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

121.0

Abstract:

The National Football League NFL has become the unofficial national pastime in the United States due to its massive popularity in terms of game attendance, television viewership, and annual revenues. Because the league is far and away the most popular professional sports league in the world, there exists a risk that its games will be targeted by terrorists seeking either to announce their agenda or simply to inflict as many casualties as possible. My thesis answers the following questions How adequate is security at non-Super Bowl NFL games against potential terrorist attacks And how can the government and the league best manage this interface of public and private issues-and secure major-league regular season football games and their tailgates effectively and in a manner that does not scare away the fan base Additionally, the thesis draws comparative lessons from the security programs at U.S. international airports and in the English Premier League. It concludes that the NFL has largely succeeded in its protective efforts but must yet improve security in tailgating areas, especially in surrounding private lots.

Descriptors:

• homeland security
• counterterrorism
• commercial aircraft
• security personnel
• terrorism
• terrorists
• safety
• vulnerability
• airport security
• department of homeland security

Subject Categories:

• Civil Defense

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE