The NFL is expected to pick up the majority of the cost to stage the 2017 draft in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA -- The NFL is expected to pick up the majority of the cost to stage the 2017 draft in Philadelphia, with the citys iconic Rocky steps serving as its backdrop.City officials say they dont expect the NFLs 82nd event to come at taxpayer expense, but instead expect to fundraise about $5 million of the $25 million budget with the league paying for the events staging and infrastructure.Senior vice president Peter OReilly said on Thursday the events location will represent a return to the birthplace of the draft. The first NFL draft was held in Philadelphia in 1936, when the Eagles selected versatile halfback Jay Berwanger first overall.This is clearly a very passionate football town, its also a city steeped in NFL history, Reilly said.The draft was held in New York for decades before being moved in 2015 to Chicago, where it was also held this year. It was last held in Philly in 1960.Hosting the draft is just the latest in a string of high profile events for Philadelphia. Pope Francis celebrated Mass in a similar location near the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Benjamin Franklin Parkway during a visit to the city last fall. The city also hosted the four-day Democratic National Convention in July.Mayor Jim Kenney said the city knows how to hold major events, and while hosting the draft may ultimately require some city funds, it will be worth the return on investment.Its a very significant event from individual expenditures. People who come are going to be spending money, Kenney said.City officials visited Chicago to see how the event was previously hosted, and took NFL leadership on tours of Philadelphia and its venues.Philadelphia beat out several other locations vying to host the event, which will be held April 27-29. The first three rounds are held in prime time. The hometown Eagles wont have a pick, however, in the first round.Draft organizers said Philadelphia may draw a bigger crowd than Chicago because nine NFL team markets sit within driving distance to the city. Philadelphia is currently one of 13 teams not to have won a Super Bowl.Julie Coker-Graham, Philadelphia convention and visitors bureau president, said more than 200,000 fans are expected to flood the city during the three-day event. Half of those fans are expected to come from out of town.ESPN analyst and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski will help lead the host committee and said he and others were relentless in (their) approach to find a way to get the draft back to Philadelphia, 80 years after its conception.Theres incredible passion for football in this community, he said.---AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Ben Coates Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Tedy Bruschi Jersey . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/951p-joejuan-williams-jersey-patriots.html . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. J.C. Jackson Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Lawyer Milloy Jersey . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said.Throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL on TSN analyst and former NHL goaltender Jamie McLennan ranks the netminders after each game night. Today he grades the performances from Saturdays games between Detroit and Chicago and Los Angeles and San Jose. Number values assigned are out of five with five being the best performance. Corey Crawford - 3 – He didnt get a ton of help tonight. First time I have noticed a few rebounds off of him, so he has been really efficient with puck control. Got beat short side on the Franzen goal. His positioning is very strong, even on the Fillpula goal, but it goes through the body - a goal he would like back. Jimmy Howard - 4 – He was not tested much, but made a huge save on Saad in the first that showed his compete and read in the neet.dddddddddddd Pushed across from his left edge, and extended to get the right pad on it. He fought through a screen to make a great save on Hossa. Was really dialed in all game Jonathan Quick - 4 – He was the story again for the Kings. Made a huge save on Desjardins - right pad in second period – which was his best. Put on a show with a combination saves in the third on Pavelski. Active stick all night long in his blue paint to redirect chances away from the net. Great shot from Couture to beat him high glove on the winner. Antti Niemi - 4 – He duelled Quick all night long and won the battle. His best save was on Penner on the back door, when he got the right pad on it. Puckhandling, which is not his biggest strength, was good all night long. ' ' '