The NFL has done a masterful job at making every item in their calendar an event that fans and analysts take note of. The games certainly take priority, but there is similar interest in the offseason events like the opening of free agency and the NFL Draft. Another event that holds people's attention in late February, when football's been over for weeks, is the NFL Combine.
Now the Combine might be on the move.
According to Mickey Shuey of the Indianapolis Business Journal, the NFL will begin taking bids from cities looking to host the annual pre-draft event. Indianapolis has long been the host of the gathering, which brings hundreds of draft prospects, coaches, scouts, and front office personnel to the city for the multi-day testing event.
Per Shuey, Indianapolis has received major economic gains from hosting the NFL Combine regularly.
“Recent figures weren't immediately available, but in 2019, local hospitality officials estimated the combine generated an economic impact of $8.4 million and provided up to $10 million in media exposure for the city. That included more than 100 hours of TV coverage on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC, and from at least 1,400 credentialed media, the NFL's second-highest count behind the Super Bowl.”
Mickey Shuey, Indianapolis Business Journal
For an event that takes place over three days, that provides a huge income opportunity to cities. And you can bet that the Dallas Cowboys will look to be the first site to host the NFL Combine outside of Indianapolis.
Charean Williams believes that the Cowboys would make great hosts for the event. The Star in Frisco, Texas, would make a fantastic location.
The Star is a possible combine site. Jerry Jones built the complex with the combine in mind. There is a hotel and a hospital on site as well as two indoor fields, one that seats 12,500. I will be surprised if Frisco doesn't get the combine at some point.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) June 23, 2021
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys will always push to have their brand at the forefront of whatever event the NFL is holding, and The Star makes a ton of sense for the NFL Combine. In addition to everything that Charean Williams listed, there are two airports within an hour of Frisco, and there's a ton to do in the city.
One potential negative is the difference in the field surface that the players will be tested on. Though the primary purpose is to test players against each other, the running times are also used to compare current prospects against the historical numbers put up by those that came before them.
Teams look for players to hit certain thresholds at positions to help define their player grading. Yes, the film takes priority, but if a player runs slow in the 40-yard dash or the 3-cone drill, it will help provide further context to their draft grade.
If and when the NFL begins accepting proposals for the NFL Combine's first move out of Indianapolis, get ready for the Dallas Cowboys to put their best foot forward to hosting such a huge event.
