All eyes on Titletown: It took 9 years, but Packers, Green Bay area finally landed NFL draft
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy never heard his name announced from the NFL draft stage. The former NFL safety who led the league in interceptions in 1983 was undrafted and signed as a free agent by Washington, where he played for eight seasons.
This year could be different
It was Murphy who led the charge to bring the NFL draft to Green Bay as soon as the league revealed it would take the event on the road after five decades in New York City. And it was Murphy who got the call on May 9, 2023, from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that Green Bay’s multi-year pursuit of the draft was successful, although the Packers had to keep it a secret for 16 days, until NFL owners approved it.
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The organizing committee needed $8.5 million. The Packers provided $1 million and the state another $2 million, with an additional $1 million for public safety expenses in Gov. Tony Evers’ current budget proposal. The remainder came from corporate donors, including Delaware North, Kohler Co., Miron Construction, Associated Bank, Bellin Health, Belmark, Bergstrom and Oh Snap Pickling Co.
