Sports Business: Changes coming to 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago

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The NFL Draft is turning Grant Park into a Grand Stage.

Draft Town returns to Chicago on April 28, turning the area around Buckingham Fountain into a spring party.

Pat O'Reilly, the NFL senior vice president of events, said more than 200,000 fans visited DraftTown in 2015 and the league's goal is to build upon that for 2016.

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In order to take things up a notch, the NFL is expanding DraftTown.

For starters, the center is moving closer to Buckingham Fountain, including room for all the TV stages in the immediate area, according to the Chicago Tribune.

There will also be a 120-foot-tall Ferris Wheel between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr.

The NFL is planning to expand the red carpet and are including more former players. The reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year for each team announce the third-round selections during the second day of the event.

DraftTown will be open April 28-30 and is free to the public.

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