NFL Teams Line Up Draft Events Despite Turmoil Of Lockout

All 32 NFL teams are staging fan and sponsor events this week around the Draft, which begins tonight at 8:00pm ET. Despite the lockout, teams in some cases are "treating their planned events with even added urgency." Franchises "design the events to communicate with fans, sell tickets and merchandise, and offer hospitality to business partners." Many teams will stage multiple parties, "geared to specific groups like suite holders or sponsors, stretching over the full draft" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/25 issue).

The Panthers, who have the No. 1 overall pick, will host a draft party tonight at Bank of America Stadium "featuring country music, a kids' combine and locker room tours." GM Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera will address fans after the team makes its first selection shortly after 8:00pm (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/28).