In 1999, Arizona Governor Jane Hull announced a special task force to study ways by which the State of Arizona could preserve its NFL franchise, secure the promise of future Super Bowls, and keep the Fiesta Bowl as a "top-tier" collegiate bowl game. Specifically, the task force was challenged to determine whether a new stadium was in the state's best interests and, if so, how it could be funded. The resulting "Plan B" Task Force, announced in November, 1999, was comprised of 35 top business and civic leaders. The Governor challenged the Task Force to develop a funding mechanism that would minimize impact on the average citizen. Hence, an increase in the sales or income tax was ruled out from the start.

In the months that followed, the "Plan B" Task Force heard testimony from experts regarding the economic impact represented by the NFL franchise (which was feared would leave the state without a new stadium), the Super Bowl (which could come to Arizona on a regular basis if a modern stadium was built) and the Fiesta Bowl (the event would lose its top-tier collegiate bowl status without a new stadium). Further, Task Force members heard about efforts by other states (Nevada and Florida) to lure away major league baseball teams that spend spring training in Arizona's Cactus League, and the blow to the economy their departure would represent. They also heard experts from the tourism industry, the state's largest industry, testify that Arizona's tourism promotion budget is severely under funded.

The strategy that emerged for winning support of a multi-purpose stadium was essentially to create a true public-private partnership, with the Arizona Cardinals investing at least roughly one-forth of the construction costs and the Fiesta Bowl contributing as well. Funds generated by these taxes would go toward construction of a stadium but also toward funding the state's tourism promotion budget (doubling the budget in the first year alone, quadrupling it by year ten), re-energizing the state's Cactus League facilities and providing millions of dollars for youth and amateur sports facilities.

On November 7th, 2000, Proposition 302 captured 52% of the vote.

Benefits of Prop. 302:

The Arizona Cardinals will remain in Arizona for at least 30 years playing in the NFL's most modern facility beginning in 2006.
The Fiesta Bowl will retain its top-tier status and will remain in Arizona for the next 30 years.
The Super Bowl was held in Glendale at the University of Phoenix Stadium in 2008. With
the success of Super Bowl XLII, officials are hopeful to host many more games in the years to com
Two new major league baseball teams conduct their spring training in Arizona in a new stadium in Surprise and renovations are complete on Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Scottsdale Giants Stadium and Tempe Diablo Stadium. Funding is approved for two new stadiums in Goodyear, which will be home to the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds and one in Glendale which will be home to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox.
The state's tourism promotion budget is increased.
Youth sports facilities are now being built throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Valley economist Elliott Pollack has estimated that annual average impact to Maricopa County over the next 30 years to be:

Jobs created = 16,430
Wages = $778 million
Direct spending = $1.04 billion
Total economic output = $1.95 billion

Valuable Links for Historical Information

Chronological Timeline of Events, Developments and Actions

First Nine Month Milestones

House Bill 2177

Senate Bill 1220

Prop. 302

Helpful Links & Information

Youth & Amateur Sports

University of Phoenix Stadium

University of Phoenix Stadium Tours

Cactus League Spring Training

Tourism & Hospitality

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

NFL Super Bowl

Arizona Cardinals Football Club

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ADA Accessibility

Assistive Listening Devices
As a service to our guests who are hearing impaired, the University of Phoenix Stadium has been equipped with an assistive listening system and mobile captioning device. The service provides real-time captions and assistive listening for most public address announcements, and it provides audio description for the play by play action. The handheld devices are available for check out at the Guest Services booth located behind section 103 near gate 1. Please call 623-433-7120, at least two weeks in advance, to confirm that assistive listening devices are available for the event you will be attending.

Sign Language Interpreters
University of Phoenix Stadium is happy to make arrangements for interpretive services for our hearing impaired guests. Interpreters can be arranged by contacting our Guest Services Department at 623-433-7120. Requests should be made a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the event.

Disabled Cart Service
A courtesy cart service is available at cardinals games to disabled fans from disabled parking areas to the stadium plaza security checkpoints. These carts are for disabled fans and one companion only. The carts will only take fans to the closest entrance. There is no cart service available inside University of Phoenix Stadium. The cart service will be available two hours prior to the game until one hour following the conclusion of the game. Fans should wait at the large red numbers and letters outside of the gates for carts to meet them when exiting.

Disabled Parking
All Sportsman’s Park carparks and other Cardinals game day parking lots have signed disabled parking spots over 2,000 in all. Vehicles must have a valid Cardinals parking hangtag to enter these parking areas. Please contact the Arizona Cardinals Box Office at (602) 379-0102 for more information. For mega events, including the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, please contact the respective organization in charge of the event.

Disabled Seating
Disabled seating is located on all three concourses at University of Phoenix Stadium, including all lofts and field boxes. All levels can be accessed by the elevators located near the five stadium entrance locations. One power outlet is available at each disabled seating platform for the use of guests with electric wheelchairs and other medical equipment.

Payphones/TDD Phone
University of Phoenix Stadium does not have any payphones available to fans. However, fans can request the use of a phone at any of the four Guest Services locations if needed. A TDD phone for hearing and speech impaired fans is located at the Guest Services office next to Gate #1.

Restrooms
There are 77 restrooms located throughout University of Phoenix Stadium. All men, women and family restrooms are ADA accessible and equipped with a baby-changing table. Please ask any staff member for directions to the closest restroom.