Can the NFL combine stay past 2020?

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The NFL combine is wrapping up Monday, and Visit Indy said the event generated more than $8 million for the local economy.

But Indianapolis is not the only city hoping to host future combines.

The combine has been in Indianapolis since 1987, and the NFL signed a deal this year to keep the event here through 2020. Local tourism leaders want to keep the combine even longer.

By 2020, the $2.6 billion home of the Los Angeles Rams will be complete. Developers tell the LA Times they want to host the Super Bowl, the Final Four and the NFL Combine.

Visit Indy’s Chris Gahl said the city’s walkability and the NFL’s relationship with IU Health give the Circle City an edge.

“We don’t take their business for granted,” Gahl said. “We always work with a sense of urgency to make the event stronger and bigger and better.”

Gahl said the event brought about 5,000 people to Indianapolis. He said 1,500 fans were allowed into Lucas Oil Stadium to watch parts of the event, but the NFL could change that number.

“They have an appetite to maybe open it up to more fans. Again, that’s a question mark, but one that we’ll be anxious to work with them on,” Gahl said.

Jennifer Hon is the general manager of Harry and Izzy’s restaurant downtown. She said her staff spent the weekend serving athletes and coaches, and she changed up her staffing to accommodate a weekend rush.

“We know there might be some later nights,” Hon said. “We’ve had Super Bowl coaches and some other teams. I think between us and our neighbors at St. Elmo, we’ve had quite a few.”

Visit Indy officials said they’re hearing positive feedback on the weekend. In specific, Gahl pointed out that Peter King with Sports Illustrated praised the city and Sun King beer in an article published Monday.