NFL announces 2021 Draft to be hosted by the Cleveland Browns

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY NFL COMMUNICATIONS; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

Expansive Draft Celebration and Free Fan Festival Planned at Iconic Downtown Locations, on Lakefront

The NFL announced today that the 86th NFL Draft will take place in Cleveland in 2021 and will bring fans together for free celebrations at iconic downtown locations around FirstEnergy Stadium, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as on the shore of Lake Erie.

The announcement was made today at the annual Spring League Meeting in Key Biscayne, Fla. following a review of the proposal by the Super Bowl & Major Events Advisory Committee and full ownership.

“Cleveland has a passionate fan base and the city offers distinctive iconic locations and attractions that will bring the NFL Draft experience to fans in unique and exciting ways,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “We look forward to collaborating with the Cleveland Browns, the City of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland to celebrate the achievements of the next generation of players and create a memorable fan experience.”

As part of the event, the free NFL Draft Experience – a massive free football festival – will enable fans of all teams to participate and test their football skills, enjoy interactive exhibits and autograph sessions, and take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Draft Experience will be open all three days of the event.

“We are incredibly honored to be able to showcase the City of Cleveland and the passion of Browns fans through the unique international platform the NFL Draft provides,” said DEE and JIMMY HASLAM. “This is an exceptional opportunity for Northeast Ohio that even extends beyond football, and we look forward to continuing the work ahead with Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the City of Cleveland, Destination Cleveland and the NFL to ensure that the 2021 NFL Draft is truly memorable for Northeast Ohio and football fans across the world.”

“The City of Cleveland welcomes the 2021 National Football League Draft,” said MAYOR FRANK G. JACKSON. “We are home to the Cleveland Browns and well-known as a city with passionate sports fans. Visitors will find Cleveland has an unmatched ability to provide Midwestern warmth and hospitality coupled with the amenities found in other major cities. We look forward to hosting the Draft and once again showcasing Cleveland’s ability to organize successful, world-class events.”

“Cleveland is honored to be selected as the host city for the 2021 NFL Draft and we are excited to once again show the world that this city can set a standard for hosting some of the world’s largest events,” said DAVID GILBERT, President and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “This event will provide international media exposure and has proven to provide more than $100 million in economic impact to the host city. We look forward to showing NFL fans across the nation how Cleveland throws a party. Being awarded the 2021 NFL Draft wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering commitment of the Cleveland Browns, the support of the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, the State of Ohio and so many others who helped make this a reality. As Cleveland continues to shine in the national spotlight with the unique opportunity to host four major sporting events over the next six years, including the Draft, we are proud of this achievement which few destinations are able to accomplish.”

The NFL Draft has become one of the biggest and most-anticipated sporting events of the year. The 2019 Draft reached new heights and record numbers as the highest-rated and most-watched Draft ever, eclipsing previous records set in 2018. The 2019 Draft was broadcast over three days and attracted more than 47.5 million total viewers and over 600,000 in attendance. The NFL Draft achieved a combined 3.9 HH rating and average of 6.1 million viewers across the broadest distribution including NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, as well as NFL and ESPN digital and social properties.

The 2020 NFL Draft will be held in Las Vegas.

DRAFT LOCATION HISTORY

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NFL announces Kansas City Chiefs to host 2023 Draft

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY NFL COMMUNICATIONS; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

WE’RE GOING TO KANSAS CITY;

KANSAS CITY, HERE WE COME

Draft Celebrations and Free Fan Festival to take place Downtown

The 2023 NFL Draft will take place in Kansas City in the iconic area around Union Station and the National World War I Museum and Memorial and will bring together fans to celebrate one of the most-anticipated sports events of the year, the NFL announced today.

The announcement was made today at the annual Spring League Meeting in Key Biscayne, FL following a review of the proposal by the Super Bowl & Major Events Advisory Committee and full ownership.

“We are excited to work with the Kansas City Chiefs, the City of Kansas City, and the Kansas City Sports Commission to showcase the area for a week-long celebration of football that will be watched by millions of fans,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “We know Chiefs fans will come out to celebrate along with thousands of fans from teams around the country for an incredible experience as we welcome the next generation of NFL players.”

As part of the event, the NFL Draft Experience – a massive free football festival – will allow fans of all teams to participate and test their football skills, enjoy interactive exhibits and autograph sessions, and take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Draft Experience will be open all three days of the event.

“This is a historic day for Kansas City and Chiefs Kingdom, and we are thrilled to be named the host city for the 2023 NFL Draft. Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the tireless work of Kathy Nelson, the Kansas City Sports Commission and the Kansas City civic community. It was a tremendous team effort, and we look forward to continuing to work together to showcase Kansas City on the national stage in 2023. Chiefs Kingdom is home to the most passionate fans in the world, and I know they will make Kansas City proud as the host of one of the NFL’s premiere events.”

“Kansas City and Chiefs Kingdom are thrilled to have been selected by the NFL to host this prestigious event,” says KATHY NELSON, President & CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission. “Hometown pride runs deep in the Midwest. We are excited to show the world our unparalleled passion for sports – especially our passion for professional football. Fans from every corner of the country should look forward to experiencing Kansas City’s hospitality, our vibrant food scene, innovative neighborhoods, historic attractions and a whole lot of fun in 2023.  Thank you to our city leaders, our community partners and the Kansas City Chiefs for the collaborative effort in attracting the NFL Draft to our region.”

The NFL Draft has become one of the biggest and most-anticipated sporting events of the year. The 2019 Draft reached new heights and record numbers as the highest-rated and most-watched Draft ever, eclipsing previous records set in 2018. The 2019 Draft was broadcast over three days and attracted more than 47.5 million total viewers and over 600,000 in attendance. The NFL Draft achieved a combined 3.9 HH rating and average of 6.1 million viewers across the broadest distribution including NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, as well as NFL and ESPN digital and social properties.

NFL DRAFT LOCATION HISTORY

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NFL announces that Hatch Show Print of Nashville, to sell posters created for 2019 NFL Draft

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY Kelly McGlumphy, Hatch Show Print; Brenna Webb, NFL; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

Nashville, Tenn., May 22, 2019 – Hatch Show Print, the historic, 140-year-old Nashville letterpress print shop, announced today it will sell limited quantities of the letterpress posters it created for each of the NFL’s 32 teams for the 2019 NFL Draft. The posters are only available through pre-order via the Hatch Show Print website, www.HatchShowPrint.com.

Late last year, the NFL commissioned Hatch Show Print to develop custom posters for the 2019 NFL Draft. Each poster was designed specifically with each team’s fan base in mind. Hatch Show Print’s team of designer/printers worked directly with the NFL and researched each of the 32 teams to gain an understanding of who the team is and who they represent. Team slogans, logos and history were all incorporated into the designs.

The Hatch Show Print team, led by Associate Director Celene Aubry, pulled from its extensive collection of wood type, ranging in size from half an inch to sixteen inches, to create these posters that celebrate the NFL through typography-driven design. For each poster, the shop’s team of designer/printers set the wood and metal type by hand, and produced the work on 50- to 100-plus-year-old printing presses.

“To be able to tell the story of each team and their fans through a Hatch Show Print poster is something that is unique and truly Nashville,” said Aubry. “It’s really gratifying to experience the excitement fans everywhere have for something we make with our hands, using materials that have passed through five generations of designers and printers working in this shop.”

Hatch Show Print posters were prominently featured throughout the NFL’s creative kit for a NFL Draft that broke records in both attendance in Nashville and television viewership.

“It’s been amazing to see how these custom Hatch Show Print team posters from the NFL Draft have resonated with fans, whether they were on the ground in Nashville, or simply viewed on television or social media,” said Julie Haddon, NFL Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing. “The design of these posters captured the spirit of Nashville while uniquely reflecting each team. We’re thrilled that we were able to continue our work with Hatch Show Print to deliver NFL fans with a keepsake from one of the most entertaining and memorable NFL Draft experiences in recent history.” ​

About Hatch Show Print

Founded by brothers Charles and Herbert Hatch, Hatch Show Print opened in Nashville in 1879. For much of the 20th century, the shop’s vibrant posters served as a leading advertising medium for Southern entertainment, and included work for many members of the Grand Ole Opry such as Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl and Ernest Tubb, and for rock & roll greats such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. Thousands of posters and billboard-size advertisements were printed for traveling vaudeville and minstrel shows, circuses and carnivals barnstorming across the country. In 1992, Hatch Show Print became a historic property of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Today, Hatch Show Print is a thriving letterpress poster and design shop in downtown Nashville, with seven full-time designer-printers on staff. The shop creates and prints 500 to 600 poster jobs every year for clients ranging from Mumford & Sons and Willie Nelson to brands such as Fossil, Taschen and the U.S. Postal Service.

For more information about tours or the history of the shop, visit HatchShowPrint.com.

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NFL, Black College Football Hall of Fame to host QB Coaching Summit

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY Taylor Kielpinski-Rogers, NFL; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

Participants to Expand Professional Network, Hear from NFL Personnel and Industry Experts

In partnership with the Black College Football Hall of Fame, assistant and positional NFL and NCAA coaches have been invited to attend the 2019 NFL QUARTERBACK COACHING SUMMIT from June 24-25 in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the League’s commitment to strengthening the coaching and personnel development pipeline.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to develop a diverse pipeline of offensive coaches and personnel, the Quarterback Coaching Summit is an opportunity for participants to further develop and perfect their proficiencies in game administration, offensive philosophy implementation and quarterback development,” said TROY VINCENT, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations.

Announced today at the 2019 NFL Spring League Meeting, the summit aims to equip individuals working on the offensive side of the ball with resources, professional development and networking opportunities with NFL club representatives.

“We are excited to work with the NFL on the Quarterback Coaching Summit, as well as open the lines of communication and exchange ideas on fundamentals and techniques required to coach the QB position,” said JAMES “SHACK” HARRIS, Black College Football Hall of Fame Co-Founder and 2012 Inductee.  “The results should help participating coaches in college football and the NFL prepare for the opportunity to become head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterback coach, or offensive assistant.”

The summit additionally features panels with NFL general managers and head coaches, including former Baltimore Ravens general manager and current executive vice president OZZIE NEWSOME, Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president of football operations HOWIE ROSEMAN, Minnesota Vikings general manager RICK SPIELMAN, and Black College Football Hall of Fame co-founders JAMES HARRIS and DOUG WILLIAMS. Panels will focus on best practices for career advancement and their path to obtaining opportunities in the NFL.

The current list of presenters and attendees can be found below and is subject to change.

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NFL Foundation teams up with LISC for new and refurbished community fields

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY Jordyn White, NFL, Beverly Smith, LISC; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

Nearly $61 million in grants committed since 1998, resulting in 365 neighborhood fields

NEW YORK – MAY 21, 2019 – Community organizations, schools, and parks in 14 cities across the country will receive grants totaling $3 million from the NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program – a partnership between the NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the nation’s leading community development support organization – to build or refurbish neighborhood football fields, it was announced today.

Since 1998, the NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program has provided nearly $61 million to support the creation or refurbishment of 365 fields nationwide. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the NFL Foundation/LISC partnership, while the NFL is also celebrating its 100th season.

This funding cycle will include new fields, or field enhancements in the following cities: Atlanta, Baltimore; Boston; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Chicago; Greenburg, Pa.; Houston; Indian Trail, N.C.; Miami; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Racine, Wis.; Rome, Ga.; and Yelm, Wash.

The fields in these cities are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements such as irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.

“For the last 20 years, the NFL Foundation and LISC have helped to create new community playing fields and revitalized old ones in neighborhoods throughout the country,” said ALEXIA GALLAGHER, Senior Director of Philanthropy & Executive Director, NFL Foundation at National Football League. “With more than one million youth using these fields, which provide safe places for families to come together and participate in sports, the benefits of the NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program are indisputable.”

LISC identifies local, nonprofit and community-based agencies that have an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and neighborhood parks. Through the program, the local agencies are provided with the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their communities. The agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields. ​​

“Our work with the NFL Foundation fits perfectly with LISC’s mission, to forge resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America,” said MAURICE JONES, LISC President and CEO. “Great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Local athletic fields are a critical part of that and we look forward to bringing additional fields to neighborhoods throughout the country.”

The 2019 Grassroots funding cycle will begin May 15th and the deadline for proposal submissions is August 30, 2019. Details are here.

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About the NFL Foundation

The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football, and the communities which support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.

About LISC

LISC combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources to help nonprofit community development corporations revitalize distressed neighborhoods. Since 1980, LISC has raised more than $20 billion to build or rehab more than 400,500 affordable homes and develop 66.8 million square feet of retail, community and educational space nationwide. LISC support has leveraged nearly $60.4 billion in total development activity. For more information, visit www.lisc.org.

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