- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 8,874
NFL draft in St. Louis? Why not?
By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_b1bf45fe-235a-504b-9baf-b976f8dc0b3e.html
The NFL draft. . .in St. Louis?
Rams executive vice president Kevin Demoff broached the subject recently with Frank Viverito, president of the St. Louis Sports Committee.
"We've had conversation about what it would take, and would be interested if the NFL winds up doing this on a long-term basis," Demoff said.
The NFL draft has been held in New York City since 1965, and at Radio City Music Hall since 2006. But because of a scheduling conflict, the draft had to be pushed back two weeks this year _ to May 8-10.
The Radio City venue will be unavailable to the NFL next spring, prompting the league to strongly consider other locales for the 2015 draft, and perhaps beyond.
Chicago is considered the frontrunner to host the '15 draft, with Los Angeles and New York also in the running. Other cities that have expressed interest for 2015 include: Boston, Canton, Ohio (home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame), Cleveland, Dallas, Green Bay, Houston, Nashville, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle.
New England Patriots Robert Kraft said recently that the NFL is now considering moving the draft to multiple cities (presumable on a yearly basis). At this point, St. Louis has had no direct contact with the league, although that could change if NFL indeed decides to move the draft to various cities on a rotating basis.
If that's the case, look for St. Louis to get involved, although the reality is it might not be among the first group of cities chosen.
"We would surely love to have it; do whatever we could do to get it," Viverito said. "We'd love to partner with the Rams on it. It's such a premier event."
As for the 2015 draft, the NFL has sent out letters to several cities seeking proposals. Basically, the league is looking for venue availability for a block of dates; hotel availability; and the ability to hold an NFL Fan Festival in conjunction with the draft.
As part of the '15 process, the NFL will visit cities being considered to check out prospective venues and gather more information. A decision on the 2015 draft site is expected sometime this summer.
The league has identified two blocks of dates for the '15 draft: April 22-25 and April 29-May 2.
Depending on what kind of crowd the NFL wants for the draft, St. Louis could offer at least three workable venues: the Fox Theatre (capacity: 4,500); the Peabody Opera House (3,100); and Chaifetz Arena (10,600).
"Any one of those facilities would be outstanding," Viverito said. "Just as you say, St. Louis may not be in the first group of cities that would receive that honor, but I think it's great that the league is looking to other cities, regardless of the reason. It would be terrific here or anyplace else."
By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_b1bf45fe-235a-504b-9baf-b976f8dc0b3e.html
The NFL draft. . .in St. Louis?
Rams executive vice president Kevin Demoff broached the subject recently with Frank Viverito, president of the St. Louis Sports Committee.
"We've had conversation about what it would take, and would be interested if the NFL winds up doing this on a long-term basis," Demoff said.
The NFL draft has been held in New York City since 1965, and at Radio City Music Hall since 2006. But because of a scheduling conflict, the draft had to be pushed back two weeks this year _ to May 8-10.
The Radio City venue will be unavailable to the NFL next spring, prompting the league to strongly consider other locales for the 2015 draft, and perhaps beyond.
Chicago is considered the frontrunner to host the '15 draft, with Los Angeles and New York also in the running. Other cities that have expressed interest for 2015 include: Boston, Canton, Ohio (home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame), Cleveland, Dallas, Green Bay, Houston, Nashville, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle.
New England Patriots Robert Kraft said recently that the NFL is now considering moving the draft to multiple cities (presumable on a yearly basis). At this point, St. Louis has had no direct contact with the league, although that could change if NFL indeed decides to move the draft to various cities on a rotating basis.
If that's the case, look for St. Louis to get involved, although the reality is it might not be among the first group of cities chosen.
"We would surely love to have it; do whatever we could do to get it," Viverito said. "We'd love to partner with the Rams on it. It's such a premier event."
As for the 2015 draft, the NFL has sent out letters to several cities seeking proposals. Basically, the league is looking for venue availability for a block of dates; hotel availability; and the ability to hold an NFL Fan Festival in conjunction with the draft.
As part of the '15 process, the NFL will visit cities being considered to check out prospective venues and gather more information. A decision on the 2015 draft site is expected sometime this summer.
The league has identified two blocks of dates for the '15 draft: April 22-25 and April 29-May 2.
Depending on what kind of crowd the NFL wants for the draft, St. Louis could offer at least three workable venues: the Fox Theatre (capacity: 4,500); the Peabody Opera House (3,100); and Chaifetz Arena (10,600).
"Any one of those facilities would be outstanding," Viverito said. "Just as you say, St. Louis may not be in the first group of cities that would receive that honor, but I think it's great that the league is looking to other cities, regardless of the reason. It would be terrific here or anyplace else."
