What makes the NFL's biggest game so Super?

Why would someone pay $10,000 for a Super Bowl ticket? Why does the big game serve as a reason for a party – perhaps the only event to do so on a national level? How do teams lock in and play their best while the whole world is watching? University of Delaware experts can deliver answers to those and other questions long before the first chip hits the dip.

Amit Kumar, an assistant professor of marketing and expert on happiness, said that part of the reason people derive hedonic benefits from buying tickets to sporting events like the Super Bowl is because of the memories they provide and the conversational value they generate. He pointed to his study on consuming experiences, which found that consumers derive more happiness from purchasing experiences than from buying possessions.

Kumar can also talk about the benefits of Super Bowl parties and the psychology behind the social connections that take place at sports-related gatherings.

Other UD experts who can comment on the Super Bowl include:

• Kyle Emich, professor of management: The inner-working of teams, decision-making and how emotions influence cognitive processing.

• John Allgood, instructor of sport management: Fan engagement and the economics of sports.

• Nataliya Bredikhina, assistant professor of sport management: Athlete branding and event sponsorships.

• Tim Deschriver, associate professor of sport management: Topics related to sports economics, finance and marketing.

• Karin Sabernagel, professor of physical therapy: Specializes in lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries, sports medicine and tendon injuries (ankle, knee).

To reach these experts directly and arrange interviews, visit their profiles and click on the "contact" button. Interested reporters can also contact MediaRelations@udel.edu.