HERE IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. COMMISSIONER, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME AGAIN A YEAR AGO AT THIS TIME, WE WERE ON THE STAGE IN GREEN BAY, AND I ASKED YOU ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH DRAFT. YOU SAID THEY WERE READY TO HOST IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE. IT’S A YEAR LATER ON THE PITTSBURGH STAGE. ARE WE READY TO HOST THE DRAFT? ABSOLUTELY. YOU KNOW, IT’S IT’S BECOME A HUGE EVENT FOR THE NFL, BUT ALSO THE CITY. THIS IS A A BIG STAGE. AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE FOOTBALL. BUT IT’S ALSO GOING TO BE A CHANCE TO SHOW ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THIS CITY. AND SO FAR THE WEATHER IS COOPERATING, SO IT LOOKS PERFECT. HAVE YOU BEEN AMAZED AT THE GROWTH OF THIS EVENT? I KNOW YOU TOOK IT OUT IN 2013, OBVIOUSLY HOPING IT WOULD BE A SUCCESS. IT REALLY HAS TAKEN OFF IN THE 13 YEARS SINCE. IT REALLY HAS. AND I THINK THE KEY FOR IT, YOU KNOW, WE PUT IT INTO PRIME TIME, WE SHORTENED THE ROUNDS, WE TRY TO DO SOME THINGS THAT WERE MORE FAN FRIENDLY. I THINK THEY ALL WORKED. BUT WHEN YOU BROUGHT IT TO THE FANS AND YOU BROUGHT IT TO THE COMMUNITIES AS A WHOLE NOTHER LEVEL, THE FANS, THEY THEY JUST WRAP THEIR ARMS AROUND IT AND IT THE CITIES NOW HAVE IT BECAUSE IT’S A HUGE ECONOMIC IMPACT AS WELL AS BEING A GREAT PLATFORM FOR THE CITY. OBVIOUSLY, IT’S A BIG DEAL EVERY YEAR FOR YOU. BUT THIS ONE I THINK WOULD BE SPECIAL. I MEAN, YOU WENT TO WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON, YOU HAD YOUR FIRST JOB HERE IN PITTSBURGH. YOU’RE CLOSE TO THE ROONEY FAMILY. IS IT PERSONAL FOR YOU THAT THIS DRAFT IS HERE AND IS SUCCESSFUL? YEAH. NOW YOU CAUGHT ME. NOW I’M READY TO GET EMOTIONAL. BUT I WAS THINKING ABOUT FLYING IN. YOU KNOW, WHO WOULD HAVE EVER DREAMED THAT I’D BE COMING BACK TO WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA FOR AN NFL DRAFT IN FRONT OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE? AND BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE A PLACE THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME IN MY LIFE. SO YEAH, IT’S IT’S DEFINITELY SPECIAL. YEAH. WHAT DEFINES A SUCCESSFUL DRAFT FROM YOUR VIEWPOINT? YOU KNOW, LISTEN, AT THE CORE OF THIS, THIS IS A HUGE FOOTBALL EVENT, RIGHT? THIS IS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS WORKS FOR ALL 32 TEAMS AND THAT WE DO OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE PICKS THEY WANT TO MAKE. SO THAT’S ALWAYS AT THE CORE. THE SECOND IS THE FAN. IF THE FAN HAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE HERE. THAT’S TOP OF OUR LIST. AND THEN YOU LOOK AT NUMBERS AND OF COURSE, ALL ALONG WITH THAT IS YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING’S DONE SAFELY, THAT THE PEOPLE COME AND ENJOY THE EVENT SAFELY AND AND GET HOME SAFELY. IS THERE A NUMBER THAT YOU’RE LOOKING AT FOR THIS TO BE A SUCCESS? I GOT LOTS OF NUMBERS. YES. NO. YOU KNOW, I REALLY DON’T GO TO THE NUMBERS. WE WE ACTUALLY WE KNOW OUR NUMBER HERE. YOU CAN FEEL IT. AND WE TALK ABOUT THE DRAFT IS GREAT SPECIAL MOMENTS. AND A LOT OF THEM JUST HAPPEN AND THAT’S IT. THIS IS LIVE TV, RIGHT. AND SO YOU’RE IT’S SOMETHING JUST IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND YOU WANT THAT. RIGHT. SO I THINK THAT’S PART OF THE FUN. WE DON’T OVERLY SCRIPT IT. WE TRY TO CREATE MOMENTS, BUT NOT SCRIPTED. NOW, THE LAST FEW DAYS THERE’S BEEN A HESITATION AMONG PART OF OUR POPULATION. THEY’RE WORRIED ABOUT TRAFFIC, THE SIZE OF THE CROWD PARKING, AND THEY’RE SAYING, WELL, I’M NOT GOING TO GO. I’LL JUST WATCH YOU ON TV. DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR THEM AS TO WHY THEY SHOULD COME DOWN HERE? AND ALSO, I MEAN, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO SEE? I MEAN, WHEN YOU SAY THE DRAFT, YOU AND I KNOW WHAT THAT IS, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, EVEN IN FOOTBALL, CRAZY WESTERN PA, DON’T KNOW. WELL, FIRST, I’M NOT SURE I BELIEVE IT. I THINK THEY’RE GOING TO SHOW UP ANYHOW, BUT I BUT I THINK, LISTEN, THIS IS A THIS IS A MOMENT FOR PRIDE FOR FOR PITTSBURGHERS, FOR ANYBODY FROM THIS REGION TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR CITY ON A HUGE STAGE. AND YOU’RE NEVER GOING TO SEE IT LIKE THIS AGAIN WITH HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HERE. CELEBRATING THE CITY AND, AND THE PRIDE THEY HAVE IN THEIR FOOTBALL, THE PRIDE THEY HAVE, IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND I JUST THINK YOU’RE MISSING IT IF YOU’RE NOT HERE, BECAUSE IT’S, IT’S HARD TO EXPLAIN. AND EVEN IF YOU SEE IT ON TELEVISION, YOU’RE NOT GETTING THE SAME FEEL AS YOU ARE WHEN YOU’RE HERE WITH ONE ANOTHER. AND WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL UNITING A COMMUNITY. YOU’RE GOING TO FEEL THAT WHEN YOU’RE HERE AND YOU’LL SEE IT, OF COURSE, BUT YOU WON’T FEEL IT. TO THAT POINT, YOU SAID, WE NEVER SEE THIS AGAIN. ART ROONEY TOLD ME HE WOULD LOVE TO HOST THE DRAFT AGAIN. WHEN DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT COME BACK IN THE ROTATION WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, ASSUMING THIS ONE IS SUCCESSFUL? YEAH, LISTEN, WE’RE ALREADY STARTING TO GET A LOT OF INTEREST IN CITIES THAT HAVE POSTED THEIR BEFORE, AND I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN. WE DESIGNED THIS TO BE SO THAT I WOULD CALL THE NON-SUPER BOWL. CITIES HAVE A CHANCE TO TO BE PART OF A BIG NFL EVENT. THE DEMAND IS GREAT. I THINK WE HAVE TEN FUTURE CITIES WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS DRAFT HERE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. SO THEY’RE SCOUTING AND THEY’RE LOOKING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT BETTER, HOW TO WIN THIS AND THAT. THAT’S A THAT’S A GREAT THING BECAUSE IT LISTS A GAME OF EVERYBODY. SO IT’S GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE. BUT YOU KNOW, WE ALL LIKE TO MAKE PROJECTIONS BEFORE WE EVEN HAVE THE EVENT. BUT I’M PRETTY CONFIDENT THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT EVENT. AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE IT BACK HERE AGAIN SOMEDAY. MY FINAL QUESTION I ASKED YOU LAST YEAR. CAN YOU SHARE ANY OF THE SURPRISES, AT LEAST ONE THAT WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING THAT WE DON’T EXPECT AS PART OF THE DRAFT? YOU KNOW, WE JUST WENT THROUGH IT. WELL, THEN I MIGHT BE SHARING A SURPRISE. SO NOW I’M NOT GOING TO DO THAT. NO, NO, YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO WATCH THE NINTENDO COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. THANKS FOR BRINGING THISTV PITTSBURGH AND HOPEFULLY
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell discusses Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 draft
Updated: 10:11 AM EDT Apr 23, 2026
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed confidence in Pittsburgh’s ability to host the 2026 draft, calling the city “ready today” during an exclusive interview Wednesday with Action News 4. Goodell, who sat down with Sports Anchor Andrew Stockey, said, “You know, it’s become a huge event for the NFL, but also the city. This is a big stage, and this is going to be a chance to celebrate football, but it’s also going to be a chance to show all the wonderful things that are happening in the city. And so far, the weather’s cooperating, so it looks perfect.”Goodell acknowledged the growth of the draft since it was moved outdoors in 2013. “Yeah, it really has. And I think the key for it, you know, we put it into prime time, we shortened the rounds, we tried to do some things that were more fan-friendly,” Goodell said. “I think they all worked. But when you brought it to the fans, and you brought it into the communities, it’s a whole other level. The fans, they just wrapped their arms around it, and the cities now have a huge economic impact as well as being a great platform for the city. The NFL commissioner also shared how hosting the draft in Pittsburgh holds personal significance for him. “I’m going to get emotional, but I was thinking about flying in, you know, who would have ever dreamed that I’d be coming back to Western Pennsylvania for an NFL draft in front of hundreds of thousands of people and being able to celebrate a place that was really important to me in my life. So, yeah, it’s definitely special,” Goodell said. When asked what defines a successful draft, Goodell outlined several key factors. “At the core of this, this is a huge football event, right? This is, you know, we have to make sure this works for all 32 teams and that we do our job to make sure that they can make the picks they want to make. So that’s always at the core. Second is the fan. If the fan has a good experience here, that’s top of our list. And then you look at numbers, and of course, all along with that is you want to make sure everything is done safely, that the people come and enjoy the event safely and get home safely,” he said. Goodell emphasized the importance of the live experience for attendees, addressing concerns about traffic and crowd size. “Well, first, I’m not sure I believe it. I think they’re going to show up anyhow. But I think, listen, this is a moment for pride for Pittsburghers, for anybody from this region to be able to see their city on a huge stage. And you’re never going to see it like this again with hundreds of thousands of people here, celebrating the city and the pride they have in football and the pride they have in this community here,” Goodell said. He continued, saying, “I just think you will regret missing it if you’re not here, because it’s hard to explain. And even if you see it on television, you’re not getting the same feel as you are when you’re here with one another. And we always talk about football uniting your community. You’re going to feel that when you’re here. And you’ll see it, of course, but you won’t feel it.”Regarding the possibility of Pittsburgh hosting the draft again, Goodell said, “Yeah. Listen, we’re already starting to get a lot of interest in cities that have hosted it before. And I think it will happen. It would be great to see it back here again someday.” When asked about surprises for the draft, Goodell declined to reveal details. “No, no, you’re going to have to watch in the tent,” he said.Watch the full interview with Goodell in the playfinder above. Stay up-to-date with the latest:
PITTSBURGH —
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed confidence in Pittsburgh’s ability to host the 2026 draft, calling the city “ready today” during an exclusive interview Wednesday with Action News 4.
Goodell, who sat down with Sports Anchor Andrew Stockey, said, “You know, it’s become a huge event for the NFL, but also the city. This is a big stage, and this is going to be a chance to celebrate football, but it’s also going to be a chance to show all the wonderful things that are happening in the city. And so far, the weather’s cooperating, so it looks perfect.”
Goodell acknowledged the growth of the draft since it was moved outdoors in 2013.
“Yeah, it really has. And I think the key for it, you know, we put it into prime time, we shortened the rounds, we tried to do some things that were more fan-friendly,” Goodell said. “I think they all worked. But when you brought it to the fans, and you brought it into the communities, it’s a whole other level. The fans, they just wrapped their arms around it, and the cities now have a huge economic impact as well as being a great platform for the city.
The NFL commissioner also shared how hosting the draft in Pittsburgh holds personal significance for him.
“I’m going to get emotional, but I was thinking about flying in, you know, who would have ever dreamed that I’d be coming back to Western Pennsylvania for an NFL draft in front of hundreds of thousands of people and being able to celebrate a place that was really important to me in my life. So, yeah, it’s definitely special,” Goodell said.
When asked what defines a successful draft, Goodell outlined several key factors.
“At the core of this, this is a huge football event, right? This is, you know, we have to make sure this works for all 32 teams and that we do our job to make sure that they can make the picks they want to make. So that’s always at the core. Second is the fan. If the fan has a good experience here, that’s top of our list. And then you look at numbers, and of course, all along with that is you want to make sure everything is done safely, that the people come and enjoy the event safely and get home safely,” he said.
Goodell emphasized the importance of the live experience for attendees, addressing concerns about traffic and crowd size.
“Well, first, I’m not sure I believe it. I think they’re going to show up anyhow. But I think, listen, this is a moment for pride for Pittsburghers, for anybody from this region to be able to see their city on a huge stage. And you’re never going to see it like this again with hundreds of thousands of people here, celebrating the city and the pride they have in football and the pride they have in this community here,” Goodell said.
He continued, saying, “I just think you will regret missing it if you’re not here, because it’s hard to explain. And even if you see it on television, you’re not getting the same feel as you are when you’re here with one another. And we always talk about football uniting your community. You’re going to feel that when you’re here. And you’ll see it, of course, but you won’t feel it.”
Regarding the possibility of Pittsburgh hosting the draft again, Goodell said, “Yeah. Listen, we’re already starting to get a lot of interest in cities that have hosted it before. And I think it will happen. It would be great to see it back here again someday.”
When asked about surprises for the draft, Goodell declined to reveal details.
“No, no, you’re going to have to watch in the tent,” he said.
Watch the full interview with Goodell in the playfinder above.
Stay up-to-date with the latest: