As the sports world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL remains optimistic that it can serve its events to the public.
What that may actually look like remains to be seen.
As we turn to April, there are two significant events to be held: the schedule release and the NFL Draft.
NFL Schedule Release
The schedule release — while maybe not as popular as the Draft for some — is crucial in beginning to shape the season ahead in 2020. We’ll learn who plays when and where. To see who Tom Brady‘s first opponent is as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or when Emmanuel Sanders might play his former team in the San Francisco 49ers, are just one of the millions of things to come.
The schedule release benefits from not needing a mass amount of bodies to take in this information. Sure, NFL Network and others will make an event out of it, but it’s one that can forego on a smaller scale when it releases in the coming weeks.
The NFL Draft
However, the Draft is the trickier of the two.
The Draft, by its very nature, is an event that holds thousands of people from the fans into the seat, all 32 teams, and the players looking to be drafted. It’s an event that will not happen in the traditional sense in agreement to the CDC’s forbidding of people getting together in huge numbers.
So, then what is the NFL supposed to do?
Thankfully, we live in the 21st century, which also happens to be the digital age. The NFL is exploring the notion of having the entire event held virtually and using conference calling (Zoom, Skype, etc, etc) to make the draft go as smoothly as possible.
Meaning all 32 teams will have a direct link to one another and commissioner, Roger Goodell. It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out with information trying not to be leaked. From trades to eventual draft picks, NFL teams could be in a bind with negotiations and announcements should any services falter during the night.
The Show Will Go On
It’s no secret that — outside of the WWE — the NFL knows it’s the only game in town. There aren’t meaningful games to be played during the springtime, but there are still meaningful events to be had.
The NFL will do everything in its power to have the league year operate as smoothly as possible before a definite answer is given for September. And beyond April lies a number of events that have meaning, as well. Training camp, organized training activities, players workouts, summer meetings, there’s a ton the NFL is going to have to navigate through with the COVID-19 running rampant.
It’s admirable for the NFL to keep a brave face on, but as MLB, NHL, and the NBA have found out, the NFL could face their hardships as the year continues with the unknown attacking the sports world.
