Thursday 30 April 2015 12:49, UK
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is eagerly looking forward to the start of the 2015 draft in Chicago on Thursday evening.
The showpiece occasion will see the 32 teams select their first pick from the top prospects in the first of seven rounds that will be held from Thursday to Saturday and it is the first time in 50 years that the event has been held outside New York City.
Goodell told Sky Sports News HQ: “There is a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm building. It forced us when we decided to move to re-invent the event and we are now turning it into a football festival for three days.
“We’ve got great weather, people are coming out and we expect over 100,000 people which we have never been able to do before. So it has really given us a great opportunity to make the Draft bigger and better for our fans.
“I have often said that this event is one of my favourite events for one simple reason: these young men, who have obviously set their goals to be an NFL player, they decide and they determine their future right here on this stage and that’s a great opportunity to be a part of that.
“It’s their first opportunity to be called a member of a specific team and that’s something that when you are a part of that, that’s a cool opportunity.
“The guys that we have today are all great young men, they are men that are looking forward to making a difference in the NFL and we are all going to see that unfold over the next few days.”
Goodell also told Sky Sports News’ Jim White that he remains open to the possibility of London having an NFL franchise at some point in the future.
He said: “We are growing our sport over in the UK, in particular in London.
“The fans’ reaction to it has been extraordinary and we keep giving more to the fans and the fans keep saying ‘we want more’ and I think that bodes very well for the future.
“I think we will continue to play more games and, who knows, we may have a franchise there some day.”
Watch the NFL Draft live on Sky Sports 1 and 3 from midnight on Thursday and follow our live blog as the first round picks are made.
