The NFL’s lockout, which is in its 74th day, had no bearing on last month’s Draft, but will still affect the league’s incoming rookies in another way.
Yahoo! Sports is reporting the NFL has canceled next month’s annual rookie symposium. This is the first official league event the lockout has claimed this offseason.
League spokesman Greg Aiello issued a brief statement, saying it was called off due to “the uncertainty of the labor issues we are facing and the logistical challenges of conducting the symposium.”
“The symposium is a large, complex event involving many professionals and others,” he added. “In fairness, we could not continue to keep their commitment on hold.”
Held in Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the symposium is regarded as a valuable opportunity for the rookies to learn about the game and the adjustment to life as a professional athlete.
All 254 draftees were scheduled to attend this year’s symposium, which would’ve began on June 26.
