NFL
An artist’s rendering of the NFL Draft red carpet stage at the Fountains of Bellagio.
Published Thursday, April 23, 2020 | 7:33 p.m.
Updated Thursday, April 23, 2020 | 7:50 p.m.
Las Vegas is getting an NFL draft after all. It will just be two years later than expected.
The NFL announced during the draft Thursday night that Las Vegas will host the draft in 2022, two years after the event was canceled due to the coronavirus.
“I’m pleased to announce that Las Vegas will host the 2022 NFL Draft, where we look forward to holding an even bigger and better event than we could have ever imagined this year,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
This year’s draft was set to be on the Strip, with a stage at the Bellagio fountains and the sort of glitz Las Vegas is known for. Instead, the pandemic brought both Las Vegas and the sports world to a halt. It led to a virtual draft, with Goodell announcing picks from his New York home.
Cleveland will host the 2021 draft, a decision that has been decided for some time and was previously announced. The 2022 draft was the first available year.
It was, and is, expected to be a boon for the Las Vegas economy. The 2019 draft reported an economic impact of $224 million to Nashville, Tenn., and many projected that the event in Las Vegas would surpass that. Nashville reported 600,000 fans for the three-day event last season, an NFL record that Las Vegas would have been in position to break.
"We're thrilled the NFL has given us the opportunity to host the Draft in Las Vegas in 2022," Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president and CEO Steve Hill said in a statement. "While disappointed we were unable to bring this exciting event to life this year, we plan to make the 87th annual NFL Draft an ONLY VEGAS experience football fans will never forget."
Las Vegas hosting this year’s draft wasn’t a coincidence with the Raiders finalizing their move to Southern Nevada and beginning play at Allegiant Stadium this year. The Las Vegas Raiders had two first-round picks Thursday, choosing Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs and Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette.
The Raiders do not have a second-round pick when the draft resumes Friday, but they do have three third-round picks, a fourth- and a fifth-round pick. The draft concludes Saturday.
