Kyle Larson just lost his job for saying the N-word on a NASCAR livestream. There is a ton of stuff to be said about this entire situation. The media angle has largely been to focus on the fact that he is half Japanese and a graduate of NASCAR’s diversity program. So, yeah. Yikes. Turns out that sports create societies that are quite insular in their expectations of their players. Larson is clearly a product of his environment, and it sucks for him. Now a bored MLB pitcher wants to beat his ass in an MMA fight. That’s the media world we live in folks. Down to the small and uglies. So my question becomes, what happens when one of the largest sporting drafts becomes virtual and we are exposed to the inner-workings the same way we were exposed to Kyle Larson being Kyle Larson? I’m not sure anyone knows, but everyone is terrified about how it is going to go.
The NFL draft is a multi-day event that starts Thursday, April 23rd. Yes, my next waiver is my final mock. Thanks for waiting! The event is set to incorporate live feeds from draft HQs of all 32 teams and a feed from wherever the official thing is being held. I’m betting on Goddell’s basement. I want to see that man’s bunker up close.
Though most of the buzz on the web centers around who will go #1 and who will trade up, I find far more interesting the conversation about the medium. How will we see this thing unfold? We know the draft will be broadcast on multiple channels. We know Goddell will be home (Basement, please!!!). We know all the draft HQ’s will feature wired networks powered by Microsoft teams. We know one GM spent 10k upgrading his local wireless to ensure security and access throughout, so he wouldn’t screw this up. That is sheer… coolness. I want a 10k wifi network, but all I have is a centurylink modem and some duct tape.
Regardless of who gets picked when, the technological change for this draft will certainly cement it as one to be remembered for a long time to come. I am looking forward to being a part of it as I watch alongside with so many of you all.