Indianapolis is at risk of losing the NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine may be finding a new home after an extensive run in Indianapolis.
The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up from Indianapolis and unlike in years past, there’s uncertainty about when the combine will return to Indy and Lucas Oil Stadium.
The contract with Indianapolis is now expired and the league is exploring AT&T Stadium in Dallas, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, or returning to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as the possible host stadium and city.
The league hasn’t made an official decision yet but those are the reported options and the NFL is set to decide soon.
NFL’s contract for the combine in Indianapolis expires after this year and the combine could be held starting next year in Dallas, LA or Indianapolis. “Decisions to be made soon,” said one source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2022
NFL Scouting Combine could be leaving Indianapolis
The NFL Combine has become synonymous with Indianapolis. The inaugural Combine was in 1982 in Tampa, Florida. The event had stops in New Orleans and Arizona before arriving in Indianapolis in 1987.
Since that year, Indy has been home to the Combine for 35 years.
Indianapolis has developed a reputation as a great host city, hosting not only the combine but events like the College Football Playoff, Big Ten Championship, college basketball classics, March Madness, and much more.
Indy is home to great athletic facilities and also offers visitors an emerging metropolitan area. If Indy does lose the combine, it is the city that will miss out the most.
Indianapolis reportedly gets a $10 million economic boost from the one week the Combine sets up shop in Indy. Additionally, with doors now being opened to fans, local NFL fans from Indiana can conveniently attend events.
That will all be gone if Indy is unable to convince the league to return to the Circle City.
However, it seems as if the people are on the side of Indianapolis. Coaches, scouts, media, and players rarely have any complaints. No one knows anything else and everyone seems to enjoy their visit to Indy for the week of the Combine. Hopefully, 2022 won’t be their last visit.
