Previous NFL Draft host cities talk impact of event as Green Bay is scheduled to host in 2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Previous NFL Draft cities are talking about their experiences now that Green Bay has been chosen for the 2025 NFL Draft.

CBS 58 News talked with people in Kansas City, Missouri, and Cleveland, Ohio on how their NFL Draft impacted their communities.

"One thing that I think the NFL does a tremendous job with is really trying to highlight where they're at," said Mike Mulhall, with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. "I'm really excited for Green Bay for that reason."

Mulhall says the attention to detail from the NFL was great.

From venue selection to business partnerships with restaurants and minority-owned businesses and hospitality, the city benefitted massively.

"They really try to make sure that that their spending is not only local, but diverse," said Mulhall.

Not everyone feels the draft is always a big weekend for them, however.

"I would say first off, I wouldn't want the draft to go anywhere else. I mean, it was a love letter to the city," said Dan Walsh, managing partner at Spokes Cafe in Kansas City.

Walsh says when they heard the draft was coming to KC, they began planning.

"All hands on deck," said Walsh. "Everything was going to be very, very busy."

The reality was different.

"We weren't busy at all," said Walsh.

Walsh says while many businesses did benefit, for many smaller businesses nearby, there weren't a lot of people wandering around the downtown area, and many regulars didn't come through because of the traffic.

"Once people got [the NFL Draft's] gates open, and they stayed there until 11 o'clock at night in most cases," said Walsh.

Regardless, Walsh and Mulhall say it's good for the community.

"Businesses had a really good experience with [the NFL]," said Mulhall. "Some benefited more than others."

He says the big thing is having the draft in your city could continue to benefit the community in the future.

"[Imagine] what you would have to pay in advertising dollars to showcase our city like that to 40 million viewers. So it really is a special opportunity," said Mullhan. "I'm super excited for you all."

Mulhall says with Green Bay being a smaller town than KC or Cleveland, it's likely the economic benefits of the event could have a wider regional range as well.