The Lions' share: Detroit shines as host of 2024 NFL Draft

Thursday was a “magical, wild night in Detroit,” as a reported 275,000 people set an NFL record by attending the first round of the 2024 Draft, according to Jeff Seidel of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. More than a quarter million fans “showed up to cram together in a massive crowd and watch 31 other teams (give or take) pick new players.” The night was “absolutely stunning” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/26). In Detroit, John Niyo noted the city of Detroit "didn’t just show out," as it "showed up en masse, turning Campus Martius and Cadillac Square into another sea of blue." The "vibrant downtown scene is a far cry from the relative ghost town Super Bowl XL organizers tried to paper over back in 2006." Detroit had lobbied for years to land the Draft, and there was "only one option when it came to showing off Detroit’s new look." NFL Senior Dir of Events Nicki Ewell said, “The reason why we chose to be downtown is we really wanted that compelling backdrop. And when you see those sweeping scenes in Campus Martius, down Woodward, into Hart Plaza, that's the most beautiful show” (DETROIT NEWS, 4/25).

DETROIT ROCK CITY: ESPN's Mike Greenberg addressed the crowd prior to the start of the event as a camera panned over Campus Martius and said, "If this feels like the biggest party in the world right now, it’s because it is.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, "Everyone does this a little differently, and we want to make sure it reflects on the community that we’re in. We told the people of Detroit, ‘Do this Detroit-style. Showcase the things that make you special.’” He added, "The great thing about the Draft is the interaction. When we moved it on the road, that was a significant change for us. We have a lot of communities that want to have the Draft, and I think we’ll continue to move this around and share it with other communities" ("NFL Draft Countdown," ESPN, 4/25).

KEEP THINGS ON THE ROAD: In Buffalo, Ryan O'Halloran wrote the scenes in Detroit once again confirm the NFL's “genius decision to move the draft around the country.” Downtown Detroit was “sleepy for most of Wednesday, but fans began streaming in by dinnertime.” By Thursday morning, the “bass thumping of the speakers set up for the NFL Experience could be heard from near the top of a 70-floor hotel.” Once through the gate, it was a “visual experience.” Fans of all ages and fans of nearly every team. The NFL “leaves itself open for criticism on other fronts,” but “it got this right.” The on-the-road draft is “here to stay and should be” (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/25).