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Tim Derdenger, Associate Professor of Marketing, Carnegie Mellon University

BIZARRE: Hosting the nfl draft is less about weekend beer sales and more about long term brand value | Mind Blowing Facts

By selecting Pittsburgh for the draft, the NFL signals that the city is a premier destination. Justin K. Aller/Getty Images Sport

When the NFL draft arrives in Pittsburgh in April 2026, city officials are sure to tout projected economic impact figures. They will likely point to the US$73 million generated by Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the surrounding area in 2025, the $213 million generated by Detroit in 2024, or the $164 million by Kansas City the year prior.

I’m a sports marketing researcher who studies the economics of celebrity endorsements, and I view these short-term, direct economic impact numbers with skepticism.

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