NFL Draft in Los Angeles in 2009 ? ?

NOKIA THEATRE in Downtown LA: Site of the 2009 NFL Draft? Stay tuned . . .

The NFL is mulling the idea of moving the NFL Draft to other cities starting next year. Los Angeles is starting to make a push to host it at the NOKIA THEATRE next year (which is next to STAPLES CENTER, which is next to the Downtown LA project, which contains ESPN's West Coast studios). Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I think LA has a really good shot at landing this next year !!!!!!!!


PS: NFL Network is also based in Los Angeles I think . . . Just another factor to consider . . .

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NFL draft may leave New York; AEG hopes to land it in L.A.

Effort is being made to hold next year's draft at the Nokia Theatre. NFL's contract with Radio City Music Hall has expired.

By Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 2, 2008

Even though the NFL hasn't played a game in Los Angeles in almost 14 years, there's a chance the city could land one of pro football's marquee events.

The league is considering moving the NFL draft from New York beginning next year, and AEG has had preliminary discussions with the NFL about holding the draft at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in 2009. The NFL's two-year contract with Radio City Music Hall has expired.

"We think it would be phenomenal in L.A. and we're prepared to do whatever it takes to get it here," said Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive of AEG.

Asked recently whether the league was considering moving the draft from New York, where it has been held since 1965, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, "Yes. There seems to be a great deal of interest from various cities to do it. We think Radio City has been terrific, and obviously being in the media capital is a terrific thing for us, but it is something that we continue to evaluate, and we haven't come to any conclusion on it. . . .

"There are a lot of cities that think it can be terrific and we do too, so it is something that we are seriously evaluating."

Leiweke says he intends to put together an economic package that would involve AEG and the city of Los Angeles that's "not any different than what we do with the Grammys and the X Games."

Leiweke added that there have not been formal discussions but that AEG has cleared the Nokia Theatre schedule in late April 2009 to accommodate the draft. He added that there was room for the league's NFL Experience fan event at L.A. Live's 40,000 square-foot plaza or in the convention center across the street.

That's in addition to the two clubs, as well as restaurants, bars and other hospitality-related venues.

"If you think about it, for the NFL, is there a better site?" Leiweke said. "It's neutral. The ESPN facilities and studios are right across the street and will be online and broadcasting at that time. We've got 7,100 seats, so we've got a bigger facility than the one they're in today. We have all of the infrastructure around it.

"And most of all, it's fantastic that they have a chance to come back to L.A. and prove that in fact it is a market they care about, and maybe eventually it leads to a team."

Ed Roski, the billionaire developer who wants to build an NFL stadium in the City of Industry, said moving the draft to L.A. would be "a real sign that the NFL is very serious about Southern California, and I would look at it as a very positive step for bringing a team back."

League officials have not specifically identified L.A. -- or any other city -- as a potential host for the draft, saying only that several cities have expressed interest. There is also the possibility the NFL could strike a new Radio City deal.

The draft was moved from Philadelphia to New York in 1965. From 1995 to 2005, it was held at Madison Square Garden. In 2006, it was moved to the Javits Center, and then to Radio City the last two years.

According to the NFL, this year's draft had a viewing audience of 36,667,000. The two-day proceedings were broadcast by ESPN and the league-owned NFL Network

 

Great, the NFL draft is going to turn into a red carpet affair...BIG MISTAKE!

 

Have it in Canton.

 

If they have an adequate facility, that would be a good idea.

 

One of the great things about NY was that they actually had great representation from fans of both those teams. They actually added alot to the 1st day of the draft. Plus with its large diverse population I imagine they had alot more fans from other teams showing up too.

But LA doesnt even have a team right now, what fanatical fans are going to show up?

Its not like any team cant actually host it. Only about 6 players actually show up for this event. Even teams War Rooms are back home in their own stadiums for this event.

I guess the proximity to ESPN makes more sense than anything..

Having it at the team with the #1 overall sounds more interesting. But then you'd have teams like Miami spoil all the fun.

 

People will go regardless. Its a television event first and foremost so I don't see why it matters where it's held.

 

The HOF building is not big enough and I know good and well they aren't going to have it in the stadium next door! Weather is too unpredictable up here around draft time. Week before last, it was in the upper 70's-lower 80's and then we wake up last Tues. morning and there's snow on the ground, highs in the 40's!

And also, bear in mind, when they have the HOF Game there in late August/early Sept., it's warm up here where you can have everything outside.

 

This video never gets old

 

The idea of having it in New York has little to do with the fans. It's because that there is more press in NY than anywhere else.

Not that many fans really are in there. I wouldn't go. Not without beer inside. Can't enjoy the draft without beer.

 

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