Editorial: Applaud Detroit's record-setting NFL Draft
It was a Detroit day through and through. Day 1 of the NFL Draft held primarily in downtown went off spectacularly, full of the anticipated passion and revelry.
Detroit deserves a big round of applause for its execution of a monumental event last week. Historic crowds lined Campus Martius, fanning throughout the city to be part of the festivities, against all the Honolulu Blue, grit and heart the city and its fans have to offer.
The NFL Draft is what Detroit needed. And the city showed it was up to the challenge. During it, Eminem even announced he will drop a new album this summer.
Detroit now holds the record for the number of attendees on Day 1 of the NFL Draft. According to ESPN, 275,000 people lined the streets by Thursday night. Between 290,000 and 320,000 individuals were expected nightly, according to Northwood University estimates.
As the first border city to host the event, approximately 5,000 of those attendees were expected to come daily from Windsor, Ontario.
Detroit’s spirit has been on full display. Visitors and millions of viewers on TV have been able to experience the city in a new way. After decades of a downtrodden narrative, Detroit is showing its new and improved self to the world.
The economic impact of the draft is expected to exceed $160 million, according to Anderson Economic Group. The city of Detroit will receive $100 million in revenue.
That’s a significant boost in business opportunities. Hotels, restaurants, vendors, banquet facilities, rideshare services and other businesses will see the biggest gains — but the impact is expected to be felt throughout Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties.
The NFL Draft pushed Detroit to showcase its best. Downtown looks spotless — even the freeways were swept clean.
These investments into city infrastructure and surrounding roads will certainly pay off, leaving downtown more attractive and functional in the long-term.
A key feature of the Detroit Draft experience was the enthusiasm over the Detroit Lions’ successful last season. Coach Dan Campbell led the underdog team to the brink of the Super Bowl energizing a new generation of Lions’ fans.
The benefits are more than cosmetic — Detroit and related businesses should see long-term economic gains from the team’s recent improvements.
The Lions’ Brad Holmes was able to grab a pick who is arguably the best cornerback in the draft in Alabama’s Terrion Arnold.
Fans are determined to witness a season that rivals — if not surpasses — last year. The NFL Draft’s presence in Detroit encouraged that excitement.
With the city in prime condition, it should challenge itself to maintain this level of presentability.
Bravo, Detroit. The city is on the map for new records, a well-deserved outcome of the opportunity it took in hosting the NFL Draft.