Report: ESPN close to NFL Draft rights extension

ESPN is on the verge of extending its contract for rights to televise the NFL Draft, Front Office Sports reported Thursday.

Terms of a potential new deal were not reported.

The first round of this year's draft is set to take place Thursday from Green Bay, Wisc., and will air on ESPN for the 46th consecutive year. NFL Network also televises the league's draft.

The NFL draft has turned into a three-day event with the second and third rounds set to take place Friday, while rounds four through seven are completed Saturday.

The Tennessee Titans have the first overall draft pick and are expected to kick off the festivities by selecting quarterback Cam Ward from Miami.

--Field Level Media