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We're talking about the NFL draft, and it's almost a bigger spectacle than Lady Gaga's halftime show at the Super Bowl. There are red carpets, guest pickers and sponsors lining up to throw their money at the NFL.
But let's not forget; it wasn't that long ago that the draft was only in New York. The NFL has stepped up its game and started traveling around the country, giving different cities a chance to host this extravaganza. From Nashville to Las Vegas to Kansas City, the NFL is bringing the draft to you, whether you like it or not.
Unlike Olympic host cities, the cities hosting the draft are making money. Last year, Las Vegas had about 300,000 people on the strip for the draft. That's more people than a Backstreet Boys reunion concert. And this year, Kansas City expects over $100M in economic impact. That's a lot of barbeque ribs and beer.
But with all this hype and hoopla, you might be wondering, are people even watching the draft anymore? Last year's numbers were down, but that's likely because the top picks were defensive players. Let's face it, we all want to see the quarterbacks get picked first. They're like the Taylor Swift of the NFL. And this year, we have two hotshot quarterbacks, Bryce Young from Alabama and CJ Stroud from Ohio State. These guys are the face of their respective universities, and the fans are going wild for them.
Now, who's going to go first? Your guess is as good as ours. The rumors are flying, the teams are strategizing, and we're all just sitting here with our popcorn, waiting to see what happens. Bryce Young seems like a lock, but he's a little on the small side. And CJ Stroud has the height but hasn't had the college career Young has had.
But no matter who gets picked first, one thing's for sure, the NFL draft is a can't-miss event for any sports fan. So grab your nachos, put on your favorite team's jersey and get ready for some serious draft drama, and that's just in the red carpet fashion.
If you want more insights (or simply don't like to read), then head over to our podcast, where Co-Founders Scott and Amy break down the newfound pop culture phenomenon that is the NFL Draft.
