• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

NHL Draft and the Sphere Are About to Make History Together in Vegas

  • League officials call the next-generation venue ‘the biggest canvas you’ll ever paint on.’
  • The event’s live broadcast and unpredictable nature differ heavily from concerts held at the Sphere.
Jeff Bottari for the NHL

Nine months ago, the Sphere in Las Vegas broke all sorts of new ground in entertainment and venue technology, immersing music fans in a multisensory experience unlike anything else in the world.

Now, that innovation hits the sports world in a major way. 

The NHL is staging its 2024 draft Friday and Saturday at the $2.3 billion Sphere, marking the first major sporting event held entirely at the venue. Historically something of an understated affair, in no small part due to the minor league development many draft selections still require, this year’s draft will also become the first Sphere event to be shown on live television. That coverage on ESPN advances well beyond prior concerts there by U2, Phish, and Dead & Company that—despite widespread media coverage and social sharing of event footage—have essentially been just in-person events.

“This is the biggest canvas you’ll ever paint on,” Steve Mayer, NHL chief content officer, tells Front Office Sports, referencing the Sphere’s 160,000-square-foot interior screen, as well as the 580,000-square-foot “Exosphere” forming the building’s exterior. “We have no doubt that we’ll catch the eye of the world, and have our viral moments. The idea is to make everything involved in this look as big and dramatic as we can. This obviously isn’t going to look like any old draft.”

Some Inspiration From U2

Mayer attended the very first Sphere event, a U2 concert last September that was the beginning of a 40-show residency by the Irish rock superstars, and immediately fixated on the concept of putting the NHL in there somehow. And despite the fact that UFC was the first sports entity to book an event at the Sphere, with the upcoming fight scheduled for September, the NHL then jumped the line with its draft.

Like the aforementioned bands, the NHL worked closely with Sphere Studios—a California-based operation part of building owner Sphere Entertainment Co. that is controlled by New York Knicks and Rangers owner James Dolan—dedicated to helping create content for the venue, and also collaborated with third-party developers. But unlike the carefully planned sequences and cues central to any of the Sphere concerts, Mayer and the NHL have had to prepare for the many unknowns core to a live sports event, even one as organized as the draft.

“We’ve all been learning together about how to make the Sphere work as a sports venue,” Mayer says. “It’s simply a different animal, and we have to be prepared for every possible contingency.”

In addition to programming video and graphics for both the interior screen and the Exosphere, the NHL will also have Aura, the Sphere’s artificial-intelligence-powered “humanoid robot,” introduce top draft prospects as they arrive at the venue.

Coming: War Rooms, New Threads

The 2024 NHL draft will also be the last before the league shifts to a decentralized model where teams’ general managers and scouts stay in their home markets, similar to the NFL and other major sports leagues. For years, the NHL draft has served as a key offseason convention within the sport, often drawing a level of media coverage that doesn’t exist during the season. But logistical and cost concerns among teams prompted the shift.

The draft, meanwhile, will also be the first major showcase for the league’s new, Fanatics-designed uniforms as well as the first such event for the newly relocated Utah Hockey Club.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Josh Donaldson

Josh Donaldson Seeks Another $70K in Landlord Dispute

Donaldson rented the house while playing for the Yankees in 2022.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.
July 10, 2025

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.
The 153rd Open
July 16, 2025

Trump Talks Continue, but Turnberry’s Open Return Is Uncertain

Trump Turnberry is still under consideration for future Open Championships.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
April 19, 2022; Austin, TX, USA; Tim Leiweke of the Oak View Group speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Moody Center, a multi-purpose arena that will be home to concerts and the UT basketball teams on Tuesday April 19, 2022.
July 9, 2025

Oak View Founder Tim Leiweke Indicted for Alleged Rigged Arena Bid

The longtime sports executive leaves his day-to-day leadership role.
July 9, 2025

Browns $600M Stadium Deal Hit With Suit Over ‘Unclaimed’ Money

Ohio’s use of unclaimed funds for a new stadium is challenged legally.
July 8, 2025

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision As Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Kansas legislators extend bonds for potential Chiefs and Royals facilities.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 7, 2025

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.