Courtesy
An artists rendering of the NFL Draft main stage in Las Vegas. The draft will be held April 23 through 25. Courtesy of the NFL
Published Monday, March 16, 2020 | 8:34 a.m.
Updated Monday, March 16, 2020 | 11:51 a.m.
NFL Draft public events scheduled for next month in Las Vegas have been canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, league Commissioner Roger Goodell announced today.
Player selection will proceed as scheduled April 23-25, and the league is exploring “innovative options” for how the process will be conducted, the NFL said in a statement. The draft will be televised.
The decision was made based on guidance from medical experts and in coordination with public authorities in Nevada and Las Vegas, the league said.
“This decision reflects our foremost priority — the health and safety of all fans and citizens,” 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.”
In a statement, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said losing the draft was a "major disappointment," but "health and safety has always been our top priority," and canceling the event was the right decision.
"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," Davis said.
Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said the "health and safety of our citizens and guests must take priority. We look forward to the Raiders playing here this fall for what is going to be an 'Only Vegas' opening season, and also look forward to working with the NFL to bring their events, including the draft, to this great city."
