Draft had economic impact of almost $95M for Philly
April’s NFL draft had an economic impact of almost $95 million for Philadelphia.
According to a report commissioned by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and conducted by Temple University’s Sport Industry Research Center, direct spending during the three-day event in April was $56.1 million.
Temple’s survey showed the draft attracted attendees from 42 states. Proceedings were held at the city’s iconic Art Museum, with the Rocky statue at the top of its steps, and drew a record 250,000 attendees.
“When we chose to pursue the draft, we did so with the goal of an economic win for our city and region,” says Julie Coker Graham, PHLCVB President and CEO. “We are thrilled that not only did it generate substantial economic activity for Philadelphia, but we were also successful in showing the world that this city is a premier destination for sports, big events and tourism in general.”
The NFL began moving the draft around the nation in 2015, going to Chicago for two years. Philadelphia was next, and 20 cities, including Philly, have expressed interest in hosting an upcoming draft. Representatives from 16 cities attended this year’s event.
“Philadelphia was a great partner and the Eagles were with us from the beginning,” says Peter O’Reilly, the league’s senior vice president of events.
So the draft will return to Philly next year, right Peter?
O’Reilly chuckled while demurring as the bidding process continues.
“We have that option to return to Philly, and they did help us create an extraordinary event,” he says. “We’ll be announcing a site sometime in the fall. One of the reasons we’re being methodical is we learned a lot from Philadelphia this year, and other cities are learning about how they might best showcase their city, tied to a draft. It has piqued or sparked people in cities with ideas around how you can do something.”
After 93 percent of visitors surveyed cited the draft as their primary reason for visiting Philly, 79 percent said they would recommend Philadelphia as a travel destination, and 62 percent intended to return to Philadelphia for a vacation within the next 12 months.
Cowboys’ Elliott likely to debut vs Raiders
FRISCO, TEXAS » Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott appears set for the only game he is expected to get until his suspension over a domestic violence incident ends in late October.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Thursday he was leaning toward Elliott playing the preseason game against Oakland on Saturday night, with a plan similar to Elliott’s only exhibition appearance as a rookie. He had seven carries for 48 yards on 14 snaps at Seattle last year before he became the NFL’s leading rusher.
Elliott faces a six-game suspension after the NFL concluded he used physical force against his girlfriend at the time last summer in Columbus, Ohio, where Elliott starred for Ohio State. Elliott has denied wrongdoing, and an appeal hearing is set for next week. If the ruling stands, Elliott will go on the suspended list the first week of the regular season and be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 23.
The Cowboys didn’t use Elliott in the first three preseason games, but he’s been a full participant throughout training camp.
Broncos’ Marshall might revive protests
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. » Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall was prepared to focus solely on football this season. Yet, after the recent racially charged conflict in Charlottesville, Virginia, he said he’s considering reviving his take-a-knee protest during the national anthem.
Marshall was one of the first NFL players last year to follow the lead of Colin Kaepernick, his teammate at the University of Nevada, to protest social injustice by kneeling during the “Star Spangled Banner.”
As a result, Marshall encountered death threats, hate mail and a loss of endorsements but also was credited with spurring a change in the use-of-force policy by the Denver Police Department before ending his kneel-downs after a month and a half.
Asked Thursday what he would hope to accomplish by taking a knee again, Marshall said, “I’m still thinking about that, honestly. I haven’t come up with it.”