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NFL Draft Takes Center Stage This Weekend

The annual NFL Draft is taking place in the Big Apple this weekend, and while both the NBA and NHL playoffs are in full swing, the sporting world will divert its attention to see which player will be hailed as the savior in Detroit and which teams shake up the league’s balance of power. ESPN and NFL Network are again pulling out all the stops in their comprehensive coverage. NFL Net is utilizing reporters in two teams’ “war rooms” for the first time, while ESPN will break out several new pieces of technology, including its EA Virtual Playbook. Many league sponsors, including Reebok, GM and Coors, are in N.Y. looking to capitalize on the event and leverage their relationships. However, unlike previous years, there has not been a major endorsement deal signed by any of the potential first-round selections. One deal that has been announced -- Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald will share the cover of EA Sports’ “Madden” game this year.