How the NBA can learn from the NFL’s virtual draft experience
The virtual NFL draft was a hit and provided a glimpse of real-life sports. Here’s what the NBA can take away and implement for its draft.
The closest thing to live sports during the COVID-19 pandemic has been The Last Dance and a pair of drafts, and hopefully NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was taking notes of the latter.
The NFL persisted with a virtual draft with television hosts and analysts working remotely, live feeds inside the homes of coaches, general managers and players. It was a heck of an effort by the ESPN production team in cooperation with hundreds of people to pull off a captivating show.
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For a few hours, it felt like live sports were back. It was the reprieve from all-time games that the sports world needed.
It’s unknown when the NBA will hold its draft. Will it come before the resumption of the 2020 season? Will it come after the 2020 playoffs? Will there even be closure to the 2019-20 season?
Those questions need to be answered before the draft can take place. The end-of-season standings determine draft lottery odds and draft picks throughout. If the season is on hold, can the draft even happen? Will there be a grace period between the lottery drawing and the draft? If so, how long?
Given the many factors that play into these decisions, perhaps it’s best to hold a virtual draft for the NBA. The timing, albeit uncertain, should take place sooner rather than later given the buzz around the NFL Draft.
Per NFL Media, the first round of the draft had an average audience of over 15.6 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, NFL Network and digital channels. This smashed the previous high of 12.4 million.
The NBA should notice those numbers in a time where games aren’t being played. Perhaps it expedites the NBA’s decision-making. Here’s what Silver and the NBA should take away from the 2020 NFL Draft.