Fearless Prediction: NFL Closes Draft to the Public

[kerouac9]

When the NFL Draft goes off April 28, the lockout will have gone on for nearly 2 months. Players and owners will be sniping at the media. If you listen carefully to columnists like Bill Simmons, Roger Goddell has already begun wooing the press to the NFL's side with what they crave most: access.

But the fans--the kinds of fans who go to Radio City Music Hall for the NFL draft--aren't going to be snowed. They'll understand that ownership is keeping the players out of their facilities. They'll miss the month-long bonanza of free agency that will be eerily silent come early March. The choice the NFL will have is carefully screening fans as they come into the building for signs and other forms of protest and not miking the balcony where fans usually reside, or closing the studio to all but the media.

It'll be interesting to see how places like ESPN handle the lockout. They're clearly in bed with the league--ESPN just re-upped for Monday Night Football with a 60% price increase. The NFL Draft will likely be a more somber affair, because no one knows whether or not any of these guys will even be able to play come September--that's the likely reason why Andrew Luck decided to stay in school.

 

[chickenhead]

Interesting stuff. Should be fascinating to watch it play out. Even though the NHL lockout cost the fans a Stanley Cup, many understood that it needed to get its house in order to stay competitive with other sports/entertainment options. Even though no one likes Bettman and blame him for much of the sport's woes--they wanted the sport to survive.

The same feeling won't be there for the NFL. The NFL already has everything. It's not that I think the fans will be on the players' side, but I don't think they'll be vilified the way that baseball and basketball players have been in previous stoppages.

 

[football karma]

that would be as bad a PR move as I could imagine for the NFL

I bet the let people in, but will be very strict about letting signs in and will instruct ESPN to keep the sound down from the gallery, and only show "happy" fans on TV.

 

[Cards Czar]

And the NFL would loose Millions in revenue from the 3-day TV coverage. That wont happen. Fans will be viewing due to nothing about football for over 2 months. Football cravings will drive this.

 

[Mitch]

If the lockout occurs, as expected, in early March, there wil be no free agency until the CBA is signed...and that would also mean that there would be no trades involving players at the Draft. Team will still be able to trade picks...but no players.

There's also a scenario that if the CBA isn't signed until late August or early September that free agency will be frozen for a year and that players like Nnamdi Asomugha would have to play for the Raiders another year.

 

[Mitch]

And the NFL would loose Millions in revenue from the 3-day TV coverage. That wont happen. Fans will be viewing due to nothing about football for over 2 months. Football cravings will drive this.

Roger Goodell will make sure the Draft is televised even if he has to work the camera himself.

 

[Mulli]

If the lockout occurs, as expected, in early March, there wil be no free agency until the CBA is signed...and that would also mean that there would be no trades involving players at the Draft. Team will still be able to trade picks...but no players.

There's also a scenario that if the CBA isn't signed until late August or early September that free agency will be frozen for a year and that players like Nnamdi Asomugha would have to play for the Raiders another year.

Does Nnamdi have a contract? I wonder how in the world a guy without a contract would have to play for anyone.

 

[Renz]

And the NFL would loose Millions in revenue from the 3-day TV coverage. That wont happen. Fans will be viewing due to nothing about football for over 2 months. Football cravings will drive this.

I think K9 is saying that fans will be limited inside the building, not that it won't be televised.

 

[Mulli]

I think K9 is saying that fans will be limited inside the building, not that it won't be televised.

That is the least interesting part of the draft anyway. I already know how to spell the word "jets"

 

[kerouac9]

And the NFL would loose Millions in revenue from the 3-day TV coverage. That wont happen. Fans will be viewing due to nothing about football for over 2 months. Football cravings will drive this.

I'm sure that the NFL has secured the revenue anyway, as they already have for television rights whether or not the games are played this fall.

But I was talking about letting fans into the draft itself, which should've been clear if you actually read the OP.

 

[earthsci]

I already know how to spell the word "jets"

They just do it because they need to be reminded often. Very......often.

 

[Jersey Girl]

That is the least interesting part of the draft anyway. I already know how to spell the word "jets"

But do you know how to spell "E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles?" That one's a little longer.

I still think/hope people will be let in, but, yeah, I can see them scrutinizing who gets access. Even now, there are stadiums that only allow you to bring in "positive" signs. Something similar will likely occur in this case.

 

[Renz]

I still think/hope people will be let in, but, yeah, I can see them scrutinizing who gets access. Even now, there are stadiums that only allow you to bring in "positive" signs. Something similar will likely occur in this case.

They have probably done that all along, now that I think about it. I'm sure in the past they would never let a fan in with a sign that said "Fire Mangini" or whatever.

 

[The Commish]

Too much money to be lost by the networks and the NFL to not televise it.

 

[bg7brd]

That is the least interesting part of the draft anyway. I already know how to spell the word "jets"

5/5

 

[Matt L]

I'm beginning to question the reading comprehension of some members of this board.

 

[Treefiddy]

I'm beginning to question the reading comprehension of some members of this board.

He clearly said that the NFL wasn't going to put the draft on TV because it would be snowing inside Radio City Music Hall.

 

[Matt L]

Now I am questioning my reading comprehension!

 

[The Commish]

me too

 

[Billy Flynt]

My understanding as I heard it on Mike and Mike is that the current CBA does not expire until the day after the draft. That means no lockout until then.

 

[kerouac9]

My understanding as I heard it on Mike and Mike is that the current CBA does not expire until the day after the draft. That means no lockout until then.

Nope. CBA expires on the first day of the NFL year, which is like March 1.

Apparently, Mike and Mike are idiots.

 

[Longcolts]

The Season ends on March 3d and free agency starts at 12:01 March 4th.

Well it would if there was going to be a free agency period.