The NFL draft has taken the show on the road for a decade, giving cities around the country a chance to be in the spotlight. Detroit is the next city to shine.
Motown is getting its groove back.
“The city, it’s got an energy to it,” Dan Gilbert told The Associated Press after his real-estate company, Bedrock, worked with public and private entities to land one of the league’s signature events.
Detroit is hosting the NFL draft one month after NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games and a regional final were played at Little Caesars Arena — and three years before the Final Four returns to Ford Field.
The big-time sports events end a drought that followed quite a run.
From 2004 to 2009, the Motor City had a Super Bowl, Final Four, Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship.
▶ Read more about Detroit’s turn in the draft spotlight.