G. Host
05-10-2007, 08:55 PM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/314517_draft05.html
According to an industry source, the league has had preliminary discussions about moving the first round into prime time on Friday night. The remaining rounds would be conducted on Saturday and Sunday.
The thinking on this issue appears to be twofold. One, carrying the opening round in prime time means more viewers would be available to watch. Two, some NFL officials believe it would be a good idea to give teams time to decompress before Round 2.
This makes a lot of sense although those who attend draft parties and actual event may not like it.
The biggest issue with having Round 1 of the draft at night would be making sure it could be done in a reasonable amount of time. Saturday's first round took six hours and eight minutes, easily topping the previous high of 5:48 set in 2002. But getting it shortened might be a challenge because there doesn't seem to be much of an appetite from NFL officials to cut down on the current 15-minute period between picks.
It certainly was too long. The only thing I can think of is allow teams to carry time not used in 1st round in later rounds so they have additional time for trades.
According to an industry source, the league has had preliminary discussions about moving the first round into prime time on Friday night. The remaining rounds would be conducted on Saturday and Sunday.
The thinking on this issue appears to be twofold. One, carrying the opening round in prime time means more viewers would be available to watch. Two, some NFL officials believe it would be a good idea to give teams time to decompress before Round 2.
This makes a lot of sense although those who attend draft parties and actual event may not like it.
The biggest issue with having Round 1 of the draft at night would be making sure it could be done in a reasonable amount of time. Saturday's first round took six hours and eight minutes, easily topping the previous high of 5:48 set in 2002. But getting it shortened might be a challenge because there doesn't seem to be much of an appetite from NFL officials to cut down on the current 15-minute period between picks.
It certainly was too long. The only thing I can think of is allow teams to carry time not used in 1st round in later rounds so they have additional time for trades.