<P> In 1980 , Chet Simmons , president of the year - old ESPN , asked Pete Rozelle if the fledgling network could broadcast coverage of the draft live on ESPN . Although Rozelle did not believe it would be entertaining television , he agreed . In 1988 , the NFL moved the draft from weekdays to the weekend and ESPN 's ratings of the coverage improved dramatically . </P>
<P> In 1980 , Chet Simmons , president of the year - old ESPN , asked Pete Rozelle if the fledgling network could broadcast coverage of the draft live on ESPN . Although Rozelle did not believe it would be entertaining television , he agreed . In 1988 , the NFL moved the draft from weekdays to the weekend and ESPN 's ratings of the coverage improved dramatically . </P>
when did they start televising the nfl draft
when did they start televising the nfl draft
1980
1980