6 of the last 10 Super Bowls (including the upcoming one) were held in states with some of the highest human trafficking rates (World Population Review). Rate is calculated as cases per 100k people.
Texas: 10th highest rate
California: 7th highest rate
Georgia: 4th highest
Florida: 3rd highest
These are relatively large and densely populated states, which is conducive to trafficking.
In addition to the locational factor of the Super Bowl, there is also evidence that reported human trafficking incidents tend to be higher in February relative to January and March (ESPN). Clearly this is more of a correlational than causal link between trafficking increases and the Super Bowl. Do people in the US just travel more in February and that leads to higher reports of trafficking? Based on the number of passengers traveling on US airlines by month, February is has average to below average travel (Bureau of Transportation). So, although trafficking goes on year round, it might make sense that more reports occur during an annual event when there is high travel and lots of partying.
The NFL has done some things to address this possible link, but not much. There are special trainings to help Uber and Lyft drivers better identify possible victims, but it is not really clear if this was initiated by the NFL or other organizations.
Aside from the Super Bowl, the Patriots is still owned by a man who was investigated for trafficking (Robert Kraft) due to ample evidence of him soliciting prostitution at massage parlors (Boston Globe). Although the investigation led to a lack of evidence of a link between the specific massage parlor Kraft was recorded at and human trafficking, it is very likely he has solicited at other institutions, especially in Florida, that do engage in trafficking.
It is clear the NFL should take a harsher and more proactive stance on preventing trafficking among individuals associated with the NFL and events arranged by the NFL.
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