The days of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell strolling to the microphone at Radio City Music Hall appear to be over. After nine years, the NFL Draft is on the move and will no longer be at the famous New York City landmark, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
While the news that surfaced on Thursday does not come as a surprise, it still is a bit jarring to think that the draft might not even be in the familiar confines of New York going forward. With that in mind, CFB 24/7 takes a look at a few of the cities and venues in the running to host the 2015 NFL Draft and why each deserves to be the league's selection.
The Requirements:
1. Availability on two blocks of dates -- April 22-25 and April 29-May 2.
2. Ability to host an NFL fan festival in adjacent outdoor or indoor space.
3. Hotel availability for fans, media, staff and prospects.
Los Angeles
New York City
Chicago
Other potential contenders:
Dallas: AT&T Stadium and the Dallas/Forth Worth Metroplex have hosted the Super Bowl, Final Four, the NBA Finals, NHL All-Star Game and NBA All-Star Game in recent years, why not the NFL draft?
Houston: The spread-out nature of the city hampers planning, but it has a great venue in Reliant Stadium and there are plenty of football fans that would pack the draft.
Pittsburgh: The Rooney family is one of the most powerful and respected in the NFL, and 81-year-old Dan Rooney would love to bring a marquee event like the draft to his city.
Philadelphia: How interesting would it be to hear Eagles fans at the draft when it is their team's turn to pick? There should be plenty of tie-ins with American history, and it is close enough to New York to minimize some media issues.
Boston: Robert Kraft is a powerful owner and undoubtedly wants his city to host. The local fans booing every pick might be a highlight.
Canton, Ohio: Having the draft close to the Pro Football Hall of Fame would be a big boost to the latter and would show draft picks what they need to have their sights on.
*Follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter **@BryanDFischer.*
