![]() ![]() Organizers estimate attendance of about 240,000, but a word on that. "The only thing bigger (in the NFL) is the Super Bowl." "This one by far is the largest event we've ever been a part of, and really probably the largest event that will ever come to Green Bay," Toll said. ![]() "We've had some discussions also with Amtrak about the possibility of running train service up from Milwaukee," Murphy said. Murphy said they've talked about bringing in cruise ships if Great Lake conditions permit. Organizers did not block out entire hotels, so some rooms remain in each for fans. "We have all of the space the NFL needs all reserved already. "If we would not have had that space reserved, yeah, it wouldn't have been good," Toll said. Primarily, the issue is providing enough hotel rooms for NFL, network and contractor personnel. "Financially, we are not going to make money on it," Murphy said of the Packers' involvement. About $4 million more will need to be raised, Dow said. A request was made to get $2 million from the state (it's part of the current budget proposal), and the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football District, the Lambeau Field landlord, pledged money. The Packers pledged $1 million to the budget. The budget is $7.5 million, which will cover services, advertising and other infrastructure. Otherwise, Murphy and Dow said the NFL was not concerned about Green Bay's size. That made the Packers' involvement essential, and was the one area where Green Bay being the NFL's smallest market was a deterrent. "Cleveland, Nashville, Kansas City, all those organizations like ours have $20 million budgets and about 60 people on staff," Toll said. In other cities, local tourism bureaus or community committees were the leaders. The Packers are the first NFL team to take the lead in hosting a draft. What is different about this draft than previous ones? This year it was held April 27-29 in Kansas City. The NFL held the draft the final weekend in April the last several years, but Dow said three dates are under consideration, including the first weekend in May. We have less than two years, but we're ready to get started." ![]() "It is an incredible, once-in-a-generation opportunity that will create a lasting legacy for Wisconsin. "We are building an experience that is bigger than ourselves," said Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. The draft is projected to generate overall attendance of 240,000 over three days, $20 million in local economic impact and $94 million in statewide impact. "Mark (Murphy) called me on May 9 to say we've got it, but we have to wait for the ownership to vote, and my life flashed before my eyes," said Dow, who led the effort to secure the NFL's premier non-football event for northeastern Wisconsin. More: What will weather be like for 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay? Be ready for any season, from rain to snow to sun More: Five reasons Green Bay hosting the 2025 NFL draft is 'a really big deal' for Wisconsin The main stage, NFL Experience, green room, media center, red carpet and fan areas will all take place on the Lambeau Field campus, which for the purpose of the draft will include Lambeau, the Titletown District, Resch Center and Resch Expo.Īfter chasing their goal for seven years, the Packers learned on May 9 that the draft would come to Lambeau Field, but they had to wait three more weeks before it would be approved by league owners. NFL representatives will come to Green Bay in June for a site visit, the first of many over the next two years. ![]()
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