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The 2020 NFL Draft is set to start on schedule on April 23rd, and the league has formalized its social distancing policy for the three-day event. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams in which he declared that every person will be in their own space and this will be a fully virtual draft.
The league wants to maintain equity, and different rules in some states would give some teams an advantage over others. By requiring the entire draft be conducted remotely, nobody gets an edge and everybody will be handling their business remotely.
This will raise all sorts of potential issues. There is already discussion around letting each team get a one-time clock extension for trade talks. But given the nature of virtual communications, a buggy wifi connection is all but guaranteed to happen. One has to wonder if this ends up turning into a bigger problem than the NFL is anticipating.
Whatever the case, it’s a fascinating and unique opportunity and should make for an intriguing viewing experience for all of us at home.
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