NFL Now Likes Odds In Vegas, Stakes Claim For 2020 Draft In Raiders’ Future Home
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 05:38PM By Barry Janoff
December 12, 2018: For most of its history, the NFL kept its distance from Las Vegas.
Now,, the NFL can’t stay away.
The league said that its 2020 Draft would be held in Las Vegas, scheduled for April 23-25.
The 85th NFL Draft will take place on and around the Las Vegas Strip, according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Oakland Raiders are building a $1.8 billion domed stadium in the city, scheduled to open for the 2020 NFL season.
"The NFL Draft is one of the most-anticipated events of the year and we are excited to take it to Las Vegas," Goodell said in Dallas at the NFL's Winter Meeting today.
“We look forward to working with the Raiders, Las Vegas officials and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to create an unforgettable week-long celebration of football for our fans, the incoming prospects and partners."
The NFL said the decision was made following a “review of the proposal by the Super Bowl & Major Events Committee and full ownership. This is the result of a comprehensive evaluation process over the past several months of plans submitted by various cities to host the 2020 NFL Draft.”
The 2019 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in Nashville, home of the Tennessee Titans.
The 2018 NFL Draft, held in AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys, was the first hosted in an NFL stadium.
The Dallas event generated a NFL Draft record $125.2 million in economic impact and $74 million in direct spending for the city and region during and around April 26-28, according to an economic impact report compiled by VisitDallas, using Destinations International's economic impact calculator.
The 2018 Draft also was the first time that the entire event was aired on broadcast television, “which helped attract more than 45 million total viewers over the three days of coverage,” according to the NFL.
The $125.2 million topped the previous mark of $95 million set during the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia. Las Vegas is looking to raise the bar even higher.
"We're thrilled to be selected for this special event and cannot wait to show the NFL and the world a true Las Vegas experience for the draft," Steve Hill, president and CEO for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said via the organization.
"The eyes of football fans from around the world will be on Las Vegas in 2020, and our resort partners on the Las Vegas Strip will ensure the draft is as entertaining as our destination."
As part of the event, the NFL Draft Experience free football fan festival will be populated with league marketing partners as well as football skills stations, interactive exhibits, autograph sessions and take the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
According to Mark Davis, majority owner for the Raiders, ”The Raiders are very excited for Las Vegas and are proud to help host the 2020 NFL Draft. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and will provide a tremendous experience for the NFL and its fans."
NFL 2018 Draft In Cowboys AT&T Stadium Had Record $135M Financial Impact
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