GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A loss not just for the Packers, but for the community as a whole.
The NFL did not select Green Bay to host the 2024 NFL Draft, awarding the event to Detroit.
Discover Green Bay VP of Marketing and Communications Nick Meisner is proud of the bid that was put in to bring the draft here.
“Obviously it’s disappointing for our community, the news today,” said Meisner.
He believes an opportunity for stimulating the economy was missed.
“Early estimates is we would be looking at, throughout the week, 200,000 people and upwards of $90 million in direct and indirect impact,” Meisner told FOX 11.
That $90 million figure would be statewide.
Numbers for the impact locally in Northeast Wisconsin would be determined if and when the draft comes here.
The Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District met on Monday discussing the future of bringing the draft to Titletown.
The board supports it, and would support the draft financially in the future.
Stadium District Chair Chuck Lamine says it offers a platform to show off the city.
“Our story is unique in the NFL, we’re kind of the little engine that could,” said Lamine. “And I think the opportunity to get that message out nationally is huge.”
Vice President of Sales and Services for Discover Green Bay Beth Ulatowski says the draft would be one of the largest events to take place in the entire state.
“We’re going to continue. We’re moving forward. At first we don’t succeed, we’re going to try again. And I think it looks real positive for us in the future, and we’ll see what happens.”
Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey joined over the phone.
He says he’s confident opportunities to host events at Lambeau Field like concerts and the draft are on the horizon.
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