Steve Wyche of NFL Media reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel have a news conference scheduled for Tuesday to announced that the draft will be returning to Chicago in 2016.
- Ian Rapoport mentions that other cities are expected to bid for the draft as a secondary prize for locations that are unlikely to ever host a Super Bowl such as Philadelphia, Green Bay and Canton.
- Other cities, according to Rapoport, who could be in the mix for future drafts include: Denver, Dallas, Miami, Cleveland, LA, Pittsburgh.
“We are excited to return to Chicago and look forward to creating an even better experience for our fans next year,” said Commissioner Goodell. “Based on the success of last year’s Draft and our high expectations for the 2016 Draft, Chicago continues to raise the bar for future Drafts.”
“Chicago is thrilled to welcome the 2016 NFL Draft back to America’s heartland,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Our world class city will once again be transformed into Draft Town where NFL fans and players will gather as NFL teams make selections. As always, we look forward to working with the Chicago Bears, the NFL, and our neighborhood partners in making this an event that puts our world class city in the spotlight, while reinvesting in communities across the city.”
Some had speculated that the NFL could move the event to Los Angeles ahead of the league’s plans to relocate at least one franchise to the second biggest market in the U.S.
However, the event was a huge success in Chicago, as there sizable crowds gathered for the multi-day event.
According to a Sport Industry Research Center at Temple University study commissioned by the Chicago Sports Commission, the Draft generated a total economic impact of $81.6 million.
The draft is scheduled for April 28 – 30 of next year.
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