
The NFL Draft is the biggest single event in the NFL offseaon, and because of the popularity of it and the major impact it has on the teams involved, especially the ones such as the New York Giants who are drafting near the top this year, it’s usually well attended too. The Draft is set to happen in April, in Las Vegas, but because of 2019’s outbreak of novel coronavirus, things may change.
It looks like the Draft is still set to happen, but it may happen very differently than expected. While there’s usually giant crowds at the Draft, this year’s edition could potentially be held with no fans at all, if the virus outbreak isn’t dying down by the time mid-April rolls around.
Another option supposedly on the table, according to Ian Rapoport, is holding the Draft via conference call.
From @NFLTotalAccess: The 2020 NFL Draft is still on, and will be on, but contingency plans include all options and solutions. pic.twitter.com/9IfjudlJ0C
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2020
The last option would be an even further departure from what everyone is used to than simply holding the Draft without fans, but assuming that the event is still broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network, the viewing experience may not change that much – however, fans would have to get used to not seeing the players walk up to the podium in the first round after being drafted, and other such familiar aspects of the Draft that are unable to happen over the phone.
It might end up being the strangest Draft ever if the event isn’t postponed and is still held but with these added measures against the pandemic, but with events being cancelled left and right due to the spread of the virus, NFL fans will likely take whatever they can get at this point. Having the Draft over the phone, after all, is likely better than not having it period.