EDIT: Vegas is out. But draft will take place as scheduled

[Dcat]

 

REPORT: 2020 NFL Draft postponed, will not be held in Las Vegas

ByDEAN STRAKA 2 hours ago

 

The 2020 NFL Draft has reportedly been delayed from its traditional April date due to the coronavirus outbreak. Pro Football Weekly's Hub Arash reported on Saturday that a source indicated the draft, scheduled for April 23-25 on the Las Vegas Strip, will be postponed until May at the earliest and not be held in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas strip was set to host the event for the first time in its history, with the event set to be held adjacent to The Bellagio hotel-casino. The draft has been held in various cities in recent years after a long run in New York City, with last year's draft being held in Nashville, Tennessee.

"According to my sources, Las Vegas is already canceled — it just hasn’t been announced yet — and the league will announce the Draft is being postponed until late May at least — as soon as the NFLPA’s decision on the new CBA is announced."

The report regarding the draft comes in wake of North American sports virtually shutting down across the board due to the outbreak of COVID-19, better known as coronavirus. The NBA and NHL both suspended their regular seasons earlier in the week, while the NCAA canceled March Madness and all other championships for spring and winter sports. The Master golf tournament, two NASCAR race weekends and the start of the MLB regular season were also all postponed.

A case of the coronavirus was first reported in the Las Vegas area last week, just ahead of what was supposed to be one of the busiest stretches on the sports calendar in Las Vegas history with conference basketball tournaments, an influx of tourists for March Madness, the NFL Draft for the first-time ever, and potentially an appearance for the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

As far as the casino industry is concerned, the spread of the disease has forced Wynn Resorts to close the Las Vegas hotel-casino's poker room, sports book, spas and salons effective Sunday.

Coronavirus spreads between people in close contact with one another, typically within six feet, or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Spread is still possible before people show symptoms, although that does not stand as the typical cause, according to the CDC.

Symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath can surface 2-14 days after exposure. Without an existing vaccination to prevent the disease, the best way for prevention is to avoid exposure. Ways to combat catching COVID-19 include self-quarantining from others, washing hands, avoiding hand to hand or physical contact with others. Large, crowded events like sporting events, movie theaters, work conferences are encouraged to postpone or cancel, while theme parks such as Disneyland in California have also temporarily shut down due to the outbreak.

Edited March 16, 2020 by Dcat

[League_Champion]

Why can't they just have the draft with no attendees? Why does anyone need to be there? Stupid 

[Wolverines Fan]

 

Looks like this is legit.

 

 

[League_Champion]

6 hours ago, Wolverines Fan said:

 

Looks like this is legit.

 

 

 

 

That makes sense. 

[Rileyrott]

Uh...maybe not.

 

Vincent Bonsignore

@VinnyBonsignore

For the record, various @NFL sources I’ve talked to have completely shot this down. And NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy officially said this is false.

 

https://twitter.com/VinnyBonsignore/status/1239011689166540800

 

Quote Tweet

Hub Arkush

@Hub_Arkush

· 15h

Just filed @bears_insider: I'm told that the NFL is postponing its draft until at least late May — and Vegas is off. Expect an announcement after the new CBA vote.

 

[League_Champion]

2 hours ago, LordOpie said:

This.

If they want fan participation, let fans connect via phones over speakers in an empty auditorium to cheer or boo.

 

That would actually be pretty cool. 

[DMD]

Draft is back on same April 23-26, but not in Vegas.