At the end of May, the NFL cancelled its yearly rookie symposium, which is open to all players selected in that year’s NFL Draft. Historically, topics discussed at the symposium have included financial planning, indoctrination into the NFL, and how to be a professional on and off the field. But then the NFL Players Association decided to pick up the slack and announced a replacement for the scrapped rookie symposium – “The Business of Football: Rookie Edition.” Originally, it was supposed to be held in Washington D.C. It was moved to IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida, and will go from June 27 – June 30.
Today (5 p.m. EST) is the final day for 2011 drafted players to register for the event. It includes an all-expense paid trip to Bradenton, Florida, free workouts and expert coaching at IMG Academies, networking opportunities with Joe Gibbs, Herm Edwards, Plaxico Burress, and Luther Ellis, and the following agenda:
Monday, June 27th
- 10:00am to 4:00pm – Arrivals
- 6:00pm to 7:30pm – Dinner
- 8:00pm to 8:30pm – De Smith Intro
- 8:30pm to 9:00pm – Expectations presented by Player Advisors
- 9:00pm to 10:00pm – General Session
- 10:30pm – Snacks
- 11:00pm – Curfew
Tuesday, June 28th
- 8:00am to 9:30am – Breakfast
- 10:00am to 12:00pm – 2 Groups: Performance Evaluations & Total Athlete and Game-On Program
- 12:00pm to 2:00pm – Lunch
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm – Groups Switch: Performance Evaluations & Total Athlete and Game-On Program
- 4:00pm to 6:00pm – Player workout available
- 6:00pm to 7:30pm – Dinner
- 8:00pm to 9:00pm – General Session
- 9:00pm to 10:00pm – Advisor Topics TBD
- 10:30pm – Snacks
- 11:00pm – Curfew
Wednesday, June 29th
- 8:00am to 9:30am – Breakfast
- 10:00am to 12:00pm Community Outreach TBD
- 12:00pm to 2:00pm Lunch
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm General Session
- 4:00pm to 6:00pm Player Workouts
- 6:00pm to 7:30pm Dinner
- 8:00pm to 9:00pm General Session
- 9:00pm to 10:00pm Advocate Topics TBD
- 10:30pm Snacks
- 11:00pm Curfew
Thursday, June 30th
- Breakfast and departures
If you are an athlete who was drafted or are an agent who had a client drafted and still wish to RSVP for the event, contact Jason Belser, Senior Director of Player Services and Development at [email protected].
