© Kirby Lee | 2019 Apr 25
It’s been business as usual for the NFL during the coronavirus pandemic, but that won’t be the case for the draft according to a Los Angeles Times report. The 2020 NFL Draft will no longer be held in Las Vegas, but instead in a studio with live look ins at team headquarters according to Sam Farmer. The event is still scheduled for April 23-25.
“Planning for the Draft is a good example of how we need to think differently, embrace technology and collaborate,” Goodell said in a league memo to all 30 teams. “We will also use the Draft to help support fans and those people impacted in our communities.”
All public events in Las Vegas initially scheduled for the weekend have been canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Raiders are also currently finishing up construction on their new home in Las Vegas, while the LA Rams’ new stadium in Inglewood is also still being built. It’s unclear at this time how the pandemic will affect the completion.
“After careful consideration, the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL, the NFLPA and the LVCVA have decided to cancel the 2020 Las Vegas NFL Draft celebration,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement issued by the team after the NFL’s announcement. “Health and safety has always been our top priority, so despite it being a major disappointment, this was the right decision.”