NFL Cancels Live Draft Event in Las Vegas, Will Proceed as Scheduled in April

The NFL draft will not be held in with a live event in Las Vegas over growing concern regarding the coronavirus pandemic and consultation with medical experts, the NFL announced.

The league is still planning to proceed as scheduled from April 23-25 but will make modifications to how the process will be conducted and broadcast. The Los Angeles Times reports the league will be conducting the draft in a TV studio with cutaways to teams making draft decisions.

"The decision reflects our foremost priority – the health and safety of all fans and citizens," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "While this outcome is disappointing both to the NFL and the Las Vegas community, we look forward to partnering with the Raiders, the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for a future NFL Draft as well as evaluating opportunities for other major NFL events in Las Vegas in the future, including the Super Bowl."

Earlier this month, teams started pulling coaches and scouts from traveling to evaluate players on college campuses and facilities.

The league canceled all annual league meetings that were scheduled to take place from March 29 to April 1 in Palm Beach, Fla.