Final Score and Game Summary
The 2002 Super Bowl, played on February 3, 2002, ended with the New England Patriots defeating the St. Louis Rams 20–17 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The game is officially known as Super Bowl XXXVI and marked the Patriots' first Super Bowl victory. The final score and key plays are widely reported by the National Football League and major sports business outlets. For the official box score and play-by-play data, see the NFL's Super Bowl history page.
The contest was decided by late-game execution, with Adam Vinatieri kicking a 45-yard field goal as time expired to seal the 20–17 result. The Patriots' defense held the high-powered Rams offense to 13 points after the half, and the game's total viewership and advertising rates set new records at the time. Detailed broadcast ratings and economic impact figures are available through industry analysts and the NFL's media resources.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Breakdown
In the first half, the Rams built a 17–3 lead behind quarterback Kurt Warner, while the Patriots trailed early and had to adjust their offensive strategy. The third quarter saw the Patriots close the gap to 17–17 after a defensive touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, setting up the dramatic finish. Quarter-by-quarter data, including yardage and turnover stats, is compiled by sports data providers and can be cross-referenced with box-score tools on major sports sites.
The final quarter was scoreless until Vinatieri's game-winning field goal with 16 seconds remaining, making the final quarter the most valuable in terms of strategic impact. The Patriots' offense managed only 14 points in the second half, but special teams and defense delivered the decisive moments. For deeper analysis of in-game financial exposure and advertising value per quarter, see Forbes coverage of Super Bowl economics.
Revenue, MVP Impact, and Post-Game Business Outcomes
Super Bowl MVP and Performance Metrics
Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP after completing 16 of 27 passes for 145 yards and 1 touchdown, while the Patriots' defense recorded 3 sacks and 2 interceptions. The MVP award and corresponding performance bonuses are part of the broader compensation structure for players and coaches, with contracts often including playoff and Super Bowl incentive clauses. Salary cap implications and bonus structures are detailed in player contracts and league filings.
Broadcast Rights and Advertising Revenue
The 2002 game generated record advertising revenue, with 30-second spots costing around $2.1 million and total broadcast rights deals reflecting the event's massive audience. The economic ripple includes host-city tourism, merchandise sales, and sponsorship activation, with the NFL's annual revenue reports providing granular data on these streams. For current Super Bowl ad pricing trends and historical comparisons, see Statista's Super Bowl advertising statistics.
Long-Term Business and Brand Effects
The Patriots' victory launched a dynasty that influenced franchise valuation, sponsorship deals, and regional economic impact, with the team's brand value growing substantially in subsequent years. The Rams, despite the loss, benefited from increased brand exposure and later moved to Los Angeles, leveraging their Super Bowl history in business negotiations. For franchise valuation data and NFL business reports, refer to Forbes NFL franchise valuations.