Today, I'm giving away a valuable money-making idea for free.
HBO 24/7 - NFL Draft Edition
Some of you may already know what this means (and are already nodding your heads in agreement). But for others, some more detail is required.
HBO has produced and broadcast a couple programs that follow sports figures through the preparation for a major contest. They follow NFL training camp in Hard Knocks, NHL practices in 24/7 - Winter Classic Edition, and boxers as they prepare for a major fight in another version of 24/7.
The programs are extremely well done, taking us behind the scenes of our favorite sports (assuming some people out there are into boxing). They let us see athletes in a different light, and the program has gravitas like crazy thanks to Liev Schreiber's narration.
It also has moments of hilarity, like Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau shopping for Christmas presents.
What's also nice about this show is that it actually makes sports marginally interesting to my wife (who very much enjoyed the Flyers-Rangers 24/7 season)
So, given that HBO has had success with these documentaries, how have they not gone back to the well to tap the NFL Draft mother lode???
Since you'll never get participation from an actual NFL franchise to get inside their preparations for the draft, you'll have to go from the players angle. But that's OK, these guys are actually interesting!
Why couldn't you identify 5-6 prospects of ranging talent levels (e.g., from potential 1st rounder to potential undrafted free agents), and follow them leading up to the draft??? There's so much preparation going into the draft on the player side, you'd have to be able to get good material. And the culminating event naturally has a ton of drama anyway.
Let's not forget that ESPN and NFL Network are climbing all over themselves to put out more stuff on the draft. NFL Network even has a show CALLED 'Path to the Draft', which is just more scouting and talking heads. Why not put something a little more intriguing on???
ESPN's got several networks to air a show, and now with 30 for 30, an established documentary brand. They just aired a documentary on the 1983 NFL Draft, which I watched intently, and that happened 30 years ago!!!
NFL Network, while it doesn't have the documentary production chops, certainly has the air time and could help open up a lot of access.
HBO could continue to expand its 24/7 franchise, although they might not have money to spare with all the CGI dragons they've got going on. But I can't imagine Liev Schreiber is on an exclusive retainer.
Final summary - people would watch this show, and it would be better than endless talking head 'analysis'. Admittedly, it would be more expensive, but I'm sure it could pull in more than its fair share of unique viewers.
So networks, there's your idea. Go and make some money.
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