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There has been a growing concern over the NFL’s upcoming schedule. One of the questions was if the new league year will start on time, March 18th, and the other being if the 2020 NFL Draft will be taking place as scheduled.
On Monday, the NFL announced it will still hold the selection process as scheduled, April 23-25, but won’t be holding any public events in Las Vegas, Nevada to accompany the draft process. Per NFL.com, the league said they are looking into “innovative options for how the process will be conducted and will provide that information as it becomes available.”
”This decision reflects our foremost priority — the health and safety of all fans and citizens,” Roger Goodell said in a statement. “While this outcome is disappointing both to the NFL and to the Las Vegas community, we look forward to partnering with the Raiders, the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for a future NFL Draft as well as evaluating opportunities for other major NFL events in Las Vegas in the future, including the Super Bowl.”
The decision had to be a tough one for the league, and the Raiders owner, Mark Davis, but one which had to be made for all involved considering the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“After careful consideration, the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL, the NFLPA and the LVCVA have decided to cancel the 2020 Las Vegas NFL Draft celebration,” Mark Davis said. “Health and safety has always been our top priority, so despite it being a major disappointment, this was the right decision. I would like to thank Governor [Steve] Sisolak and the LVCVA for all of the passion they put into creating an event that would have been second to none. Although Las Vegas lost this chance to shine, there will be many more opportunities to show the world just what Las Vegas is made of. Whether it be the Draft, the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl, the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World is ready!”
The NFL Draft won’t be the same as it usually is, but then again our world currently isn’t the same as it usually is. The league seems determined to keep their league schedule going off without a hitch, while making things as safe as possible for those involved, both players and employees of all 32 NFL clubs.
If anything changes, be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the league year begins in just a few short days.