These past couple of days have been difficult due to the spread of the coronavirus or better known as COVID-19. From the NBA suspending its season to the NCAA Basketball tournaments deciding not to allow fans in attendance, this global health crisis continues to have a significant impact on every facet of society, including sports.
Although events have been pushed back, the NFL has decided to continue with its annual NFL Draft with some changes.
On Monday, the NFL announced that they would be canceling all meetings and public events in Las Vegas to prevent any exposure from COVID-19 and will proceed as scheduled with the 2020 NFL draft on April 23-25.
NFL announcement on its draft plans: pic.twitter.com/ynRG3Bw6fw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
“This decision reflects our foremost priority – the health and safety of all fans and citizens,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in his 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 league is considering hosting the draft in a “studio setting” with cameras set up at each team’s headquarters. With no plans to postpone the draft past its originally scheduled, date April 23-25 dates, Goodell mentioned that he welcomed input from owners on how best to host the event.
With the pandemic of the coronavirus which has caused to cancel large gatherings for the safety of the public and the community, the NFL is taking the proper precautions but for now, the start of the 2020 season is still set for Sept. 10.
