On the TunneySide of Sports May 4, 2020 #794 Up next… Virtual NFL Draft 2020
After further review… The weekend of April 23-25, 2020 produced the most innovative National Football League draft in its 100-year history! The first draft was held in 1936, some 16 years after the league began. That draft was held in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia. Ninety names were written on a blackboard in a meeting room from which the teams would choose. There were just 9 teams. My, how times have changed.
The biggest change might have happened this year. With the world and our country sheltering-in-place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everything had to be different. The foremost tragedy is the deaths of thousands followed closely by the infection of millions throughout the world. As this is written the U.S.A. reports over one million deaths. Moreover, businesses have shut down; millions of US citizens are out of work, and schools closed.
Further, with sports available only on television, fans are anxious for this coronavirus to be settled. The 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan this coming summer had to be postponed until 2021. For many, the cancellation of Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association season, National League Hockey, and high school, as well as college athletics being curtailed, was beyond belief. Some of these sports are attempting to start up again this summer.
With all these questions, and few — if any — answers assured, Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League, who had no assurance of playing the NFL 2020 season, scheduled and executed the 2020 draft. With orders nationally, as well as state edicts to not have gatherings of more than 10 people, how and where could such a draft be held?
The 2019 NFL draft held in Nashville Tennessee in April 2019 had an estimated crowd of 600,000 with a 47.5 million television audience. Since those numbers and more were expected in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2020 draft, how could that be possible?
Up steps Commissioner Goodell with a positive approach and with technology-in-hand orchestrated a virtual draft. All done from his “man-cave” (aka basement) in his home and with all NFL general managers and coaches as well as every potential NFL player-prospect in their homes – all at separate locations. A viewing audience was reportedly 51 million. Further, Goodell has reduced salaries within the NFL office and cut his salary to zero for 2020.
What does this say about having faith that COVID-19 can be defeated? Moreover, how can the draft system in any professional sport utilize innovative approaches to improve?
Will you log-in your thoughts about virtual vs gatherings in the draft system?
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