NFL Draft Should Come to Chicago

Feb 1, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the 3rd NFL Honors at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This year, the NFL Draft has been pushed back to May 8-10 instead of the usual late-April date because of a conflict at Radio City Music Hall, the usual home of the draft.  The draft could and should hit the road and I can think of no better place to move it than Chicago.

Chicago has plenty of venues that could take on an event like the draft.  It’s centrally located and a hub for most major airlines.  Travel in mid-to-late April would be a breeze for team representatives, draftees and fans wanting to participate in the league’s biggest offseason event.

By putting the Draft into a rotation, just like the Super Bowl, would make it more accessible to more fans from different teams.  I’m sick and tired of watching Jets fans booing their pick every year.  Why not give Bears fans the chance to boo the next Shea McClellin pick or offer a collective “Huh?” when Kyle Long’s name is announced by Commissioner Goodell?

Here’s another spin on the topic – maybe it would make sense to move the draft to the NFL city holding the top pick?  Why not give fans of a team that had a down year – like the Houston Texans in 2013 – the chance to cheer for the top pick?  You hate to reward futility, but hosting a three-day event hardly makes up for a season of suffering.

Contrary to popular belief, New York is not the center of the universe.  Other cities are perfectly capable of handling the logistics and hosting the equivalend of a three day seminar.  Then again, if London gets a team, that could put a whole new spin on things.

What do you think?  Should the NFL draft move every year?  Should it be up for bid, like the Super Bowl, or just go through a rotation so all 31 NFL cities get a chance to host?  Should the team with the top pick get the added perk of hosting the draft?  Let’s see your Comments.