DETROIT — 275,000 fans packed the area around Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit for night one of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Voice was there for the record-breaking moment and more.
By 6:30 PM, the crowd rivaled the scene in Nashville from 2019. More than 200,000 people crowded Broadway for the NFL Draft on night one. It was the last draft held before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I heard there’s close to 150,000 (people) already outside, waiting to get in,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
At the end of Day Two of the NFL Draft, Goodell said that 230,000 people are there for night two. Plus, that Detroit is only 100,000 people away from breaking the all-time NFL Draft attendance record. Nashville drew 600,000 fans over the three days of the NFL draft in 2019.
It was also a great night in the television ratings department. The NFL reported Round 1 coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft was seen by audience of 12.1 million people. The number combines viewers on linear and streaming platforms. The event was broadcast on ESPN, NFL Network, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. Ratings are up 6% compared to Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft (11.4 million). It was the highest Round 1 viewership since 2021.
Marvin Harrison, Jr., speaks to reporters after being selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 4th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
Detroit is bouncing back
It was an opportunity that Detroit and the state of Michigan could not pass up. The last time Detroit hosted an event of this magnitude was Super Bowl XL in 2006. Visit Detroit VP Claude Molinari estimated Wednesday the economic impacts in the Motor City could be north of 175 million to $200 million during the weekend.
Friday, Goodell admitted on The Pat McAfee Show there are cities seeking to host the NFL’s springtime football festival. However, Michiganders knew this was the opportunity to show up and let America know Detroit is a proud city and is making a comeback.
“I think the exciting thing about hosting the NFL, and the Lions in particular, is they really are emblematic of who we are. We’ve been knocked down, but we get back up,” Whitmer said. “And we get back up stronger than ever.”
Next year, the NFL draft will move to Green Bay. Initial expectations are attendance will rival what was seen in Nashville and Detroit, respectively.
Quarterback Caleb Williams speaks to reporters after being selected by the Chicago Bears with the number one overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
LAS VEGAS – The business of Super Bowl LVIII ended with the official handoff from Las Vegas, to New Orleans on Monday morning inside of the Mandalay Bay. Las Vegas proved to be an exceptional host city. Buoyed by decades of hosting major conferences and big sporting events, the city’s host committee begged NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to forgo the rotation of cities and put another Super Bowl back in Vegas quickly.
Las Vegas was a no-brainer to be a host once the home of the Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, would be open by 2020. Plus, the city has more than 150,000 hotel rooms. Lastly, Vegas’s ability to host high level events in nightclubs, convention halls and event spaces while allowing the NFL to take over the city’s core was a plus.
“Thank you to the NFL for believing in Las Vegas and thank you to the Las Vegas Super Bowl host committee for making this historic Super Bowl possible,” said Nevada Governor Jay Lombardo. “And I will take this opportunity to use the Governor’s discretion to ask the commissioner to forgo their rotational plans for the Super Bowl and maybe get it here sooner than later.”
President of the Las Vegas Raiders, Sandra Douglass Morgan, center, speaks during a news conference for the winning head coach and MVP of Super Bowl LVIII at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on February 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
Previously, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority worked with the NFL when they hosted the 2022 NFL Draft which allowed both sides to build their relationship with all eyes focused on Super Bowl week.
“This was an all hands on deck effort and I think this event truly showed when everyone is able and willing to work together in Nevada, we get it done in the fastest time ever,” said the President of the Las Vegas Raiders, Sandra Douglass Morgan. “I also wanted to acknowledge UNLV they were incredible partners as well and making sure that we had access to their facilities for teams. Also, for my team at the Las Vegas Raiders to make sure we have the best headquarters in the world to be able to host two great teams that played yesterday.”
New Orleans set to host Super Bowl for record-tying eleventh time
The City of New Orleans will host its eleventh Super Bowl, tied for most with greater Miami. There is no doubt New Orleans is a more than capable city to host America’s biggest sporting event. There are at minimum 26,000 available hotel rooms within two miles of the French Quarter and 41,000 hotel rooms in greater New Orleans.
New Orleans Saints owner Miss Gayle Benson speaks during a news conference for the winning head coach and MVP of Super Bowl LVIII at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on February 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
“We look forward to welcoming thousands of fans, sponsors, media, and volunteers in celebration of the big game,” said Owner of the New Orleans Saints, Miss Gayle Benson. “Hosting the biggest sporting events in the world takes great team effort and participation from our entire community. And I’m confident we will pull together as we always do to deliver our guests from around the country and world the greatest experience possible.”
The game will be played on Sunday, February 9, 2025 inside the Caesars Superdome. The legendary stadium is currently undergoing a $500 million renovation project that has been underway since 2019. Working in phases, the project will be complete by the time Taylor Swift hosts concerts in October 2024. Among the renovations will be more field clubs, wheelchair users have new ADA-accessible seats and viewing decks on various levels, along with ADA-friendly elevators.
New Orleans Mayor, LaToya Cantrell, speaks during a news conference for the winning head coach and MVP of Super Bowl LVIII at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on February 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
A 2013 University of New Orleans study showed a $480 million impact in economic activity for the city the last time it hosted the Super Bowl.
“It speaks to how the NFL has been a part of our city not just with this being our eleventh Super Bowl, but even coming in 2025,” explained New Orleans Mayor, LaToya Cantrell. “We will be focusing on the resilience of the city coming back better than ever before. It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, but the NFL has been solid in our recovery. We’re looking forward to showcasing our resiliency, our sustainability, but most importantly, the people of our great city rooted in the culture of the city of New Orleans. So thank you so much again, the city is ready, and we are prepared.”
New Orleans would have hosted Super Bowl LVIII if it didn’t conflict with Mardi Gras. The game would have coincided with the final weekend of the festive season. 1.5 million people travel to the Crescent City to revel in the annual event.
