The NFL and NFL Players Association announced their new Pro Bowl format highlighted by a fantasy draft. The two leading Pro Bowl vote-getters will select their team with the help of Hall of Famers Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice.
Sports Talk hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Beningo of WFAN Sports Radio in New York suggested Wednesday the new format could work for another league as well—the NBA.
The NBA already has arguably the best all-star game—and weekend—in sports. The glamour and flash the league brings makes the NBA perfect for all-star festivities.
An all-star fantasy draft would just add to what is already a great event. Roberts mentioned the possibility of LeBron James and Kevin Durant facing off. Roberts also posed different headline-making scenarios such as LeBron not drafting teammate Dwyane Wade with the first pick or if he drafts Carmelo Anthony and the rumor mill starts to buzz.
There are a few more possibilities that could peak interest for sports fans. For example, if for some reason LeBron does not get the first or second most votes and someone else doesn’t take him with the first pick. Also, Wade and LeBron could play against each other—or Dwight Howards and Kobe Bryant could play on the same team again. A fantasy draft could enhance the weekend, provide a fun experience for the fans and boost ratings for the NBA.
Major League Baseball tried something similar this season when American League captain Robinson Cano and National League captain David Wright chose their teams for the Home Run Derby.
