Gridiron Fanatics

The NFL draft just became more of a spectacle than it already is. Now football fans will have the opportunity to stare at Mel Kiper’s hair for three straight days. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday that the NFL draft will be expanding to three days instead of the traditional 2 day event it has been.

Look at that mop...flawless

“The draft will be spread over three days in 2010, running Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24.
In addition, the first round will start in prime time at 7:30 p.m. ET.

“We continue to look for ways to make the draft more accessible to more fans,” Goodell said in a statement. “Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television.”

ESPN and the NFL Network will televise the entire show.
The second and third rounds will start at 6:30 p.m. ET on April 23.
Rounds 4 through 7 will be on April 24, starting at 10 a.m. ET.”

I think this is a great move by the NFL. By moving the draft to prime time on a Thursday night the NFL is sure to attract more casual fans to watch the draft. Since most people are already watching tv on a Thursday night it will be easier for them to flip over to ESPN to catch their favorite team’s pick. The NFL will not have to try to lure the people that otherwise might be out and about enjoying their Saturday back inside their homes to watch draft coverage.

Also, by moving the draft’s marquee first round to prime time allows the NFL to market the draft as a big time, must see event. The prime time slot gives the draft a little more relevance in the eyes of the casual NFL fan. It will get them thinking that maybe they are missing out on something exciting related to football and they should tune in to see what all the buzz is about.

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