Sports leagues around the world are dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which has put much of everyday life on hold for most people. The NFL and its clubs have been doing their best to handle the situation with the NFL draft fast approaching this month.
Most teams haven’t been able to work out of their facilities or travel for Pro Days because of travel restrictions and social distancing requirements. Despite some GMs feeling the draft should be postponed, commissioner Roger Goodell has stuck with the original draft date.
Today, he sent out a memo to teams informing them that the 2020 NFL draft will be fully virtual. Take a look at the memo below, tweeted out by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell just informed clubs in a memo that club facilities will remain closed indefinitely and the league will conduct a “fully virtual” draft, with club personnel separately located in their homes. pic.twitter.com/28t2kNnLAI
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 6, 2020
While some clubs may have been able to get into their facilities, Goodell wrote: "All Clubs will not have access to their facilities, which is contrary to the fundamental equity principle that all clubs operate in a consistent and fair way." One reason draft will be fully remote.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 6, 2020
The NFL informed a group of GMs in a conference call Friday it was proceeding with plans for a virtual draft, per sources. So, today's announcement wasn't a shock. But still a lot of logistics to work out before Round 1 begins April 23, with GMs drafting alone.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 6, 2020
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