George Veras has produced TV coverage of the Olympics, Super Bowl pregame shows, the “NFL Today” on CBS and Yanni Live at the Tal Mahal, so he knows all about big-time events.
The May 3-4 Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest at the I-X Center is so big in Veras’ eyes, he ranks the Fan Fest event “third, behind Yanni and the Olympics.”
Will he be right? One thing is sure: Any event with the NFL attached to it has more than a fighting chance.
Veras is thinking big, though.
“It was easy to come up with the idea, but a challenge to see it through,” he said.
One day, he hopes the inaugural event turns into the pop culture equivalent of the mega-popular San Diego Comic-Con, even though the plan for Fan Fest is to rotate it among major cities across the U.S.
“This might be the only time (fans in Cleveland) will ever see this event,” said Veras, the president/CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises, a representative of the hall of fame players and brainchild of the Fan Fest. “This event is history in the making.”
There’s no denying that. Veras said the largest collection of living Pro Football Hall of Famers was in 2013 in Canton for the 50th anniversary of the Hall, but this event is different.
According to a release, “Never before have fans had such access” to the 100 hall of famers that will be at the I-X Center.
They include: Former Browns players Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Bobby Mitchell, Paul Warfield and Joe DeLamielleure; Harvey grad and the NFL’s winningest coach Don Shula, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Barry Sanders, Earl Campbell, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Marcus Allen, Warren Sapp, Warren Moon and Lynn Swann.
“The only challenge of getting this many hall of famers in one place has been their schedules,” said Veras. “These are people that are in-demand.”
General admission is steep ($39.99 for adults, $19.99 for children 7 to 12, 6 and under are free), but Veras said it’s “well worth it.”
Parking is free.
During each five-hour show (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 3 and 4), fans can meet, talk with and have photos taken with players and their Hall of Fame busts at designated photo stations.
Another interesting attraction is former CNN host Larry King, who will moderate interviews with the hall of famers in the 1,000-seat Legends Theater, where fans will be encouraged to ask questions.
Other attractions include:
— Football clinics, including one on “Heads Up Tackling,” on a 100-yard field with football teams from John Carroll, Gilmour and St. Ignatius with select hall of famers participating.
“When we were approached to participate, we jumped at it,” said Gilmour coach Shawn Dodd. “The kids are really excited.”
— NFL Draft Chalk Talk Theater, where hall of famers discuss and answer fans’ questions about the May 8-10 NFL draft.
— Free sports memorabilia appraisals by Heritage Auctions, shown on PBS’ popular “Antiques Road Show.” There is no limit of items to be appraised.
— Bronze bust gallery, where hall of famers’ busts will be on display.
— Interactive games for all ages.
— A 6,000-square foot merchandise store.
— Radio Disney’s ultimate field day experience.
Bradshaw will perform his one-man show, “America’s Favorite Dumb Blonde…My Life in Four Quarters” on May 4 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $70.
Individuals autograph sessions are $300 per session. There are eight sessions each day featuring five different hall of famers during each session.
For more information about the event, visit: profootballhof.com
Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest
— When: May 3 and 4
— Sessions: May 3 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 4 to 9 p.m.); May 4 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 4 to 9 p.m.)
— Where: I-X Center (parking is free)
— General admission: $39.99 (adults); $19.99 (children 7 to 12); 6 and under free
— Autographs: $300 per session
— Note: For an event schedule and information, visit profootballhof.com