Roger Goodell announces 2022 NFL Draft will take place in Las Vegas
The 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas was moved to an all-virtual affair due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it will be back in Sin City in 2022
The NFL was all set to welcome the Las Vegas Raiders with the second biggest party on the league’s calendar as the NFL Draft was scheduled to take place in Sin City. Casinos and hotels were ready for the influx of fans from all over country but make no mistake, the town would have been painted Silver and Black by Raider Nation.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the Las Vegas strip and all sports ranging from tennis to the NBA, the NFL was forced to move to an all virtual draft that is a truly surreal experience.
Instead of seeing the top prospects float across the Bellagio fountain in a gondola to hug NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, we are getting intimate looks in-to their living rooms via web cam. Shots of crowded war rooms and team draft parties have been replaced with shots of lonely head coaches and general managers, including Mike Mayock, sitting in front of their computer screens and fans calling in via web conference. It has been an experience like no other and will be truly memorable even if for the wrong reasons.
Fear not though Raider Nation, although the 2021 draft will take place in Cleveland, Roger Goodell announced just before the 19th pick that Las Vegas will get another chance to host the NFL’s preseason party and awarded it the 2022 NFL Draft.
Next. 2020 Draft Grade: Henry Ruggs III. dark
This year’s event was going to be the NFL’s first chance to show their commitment to Las Vegas and would have been an incredible way for the Raiders to announce themselves to their new fans and begin a new era of their “Commitment to Excellence” .The 2022 NFL Draft will not be quite the welcome that the NFL was planning for the Raiders inaugural season in Las Vegas but Raider Nation will have to settle for it to take place after two, hopefully winning, seasons in Nevada.