The 2014 NFL Draft was the last one to be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Many complained about how it was pushed back a week. As a result, there was some speculation that the event could be hosted in another city. The odds on favorite to host the 2015 NFL Draft is Chicago.
According to NFL.com, the league is requesting that the potential venue have the ability to host an additional fan festival in an adjacent indoor or outdoor space, one of the reasons the Windy City is a favorite.
“The McCormick Place convention center would provide a flexible and large space to hold the draft and adjoining fan festival,” according to the report. “The Chicago Theatre and Soldier Field might also be under consideration. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been quite vocal about bringing the event to his city and there should be no shortage of options for venues.”
Chicago was the last city other than New York to host the draft. The last time a draft wasn’t in New York city was way back in 1964. The event was originally hosted at The Theater at Madison Square Garden but was moved to the Jacob Javitts Convention Center in 2005. It was then moved to Radio City Music Hall which served as it’s home for the last eight years. Officials from Radio City informed the NFL that their facility will not be available for the draft in 2015.
The NFL requires that any potential venue have the ability to host a fan festival in an adjacent indoor or outdoor space. Reportedly there are two time slots for the draft next year. One would start on April 22nd and the other would be to start on April 29th. Either way, it will eliminate the inconveniences brought on by the late start in 2014.
Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas and the incumbent host, New York, are also interested in hosting the 2015 NFL draft.
