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Pittsburgh City Council

Suburban EMS crews billed $27,000 for the NFL Draft.

Written by Amy Whipple

The City of Pittsburgh is taking at $27,000 hit from NFL Draft invoices.

City Council Member Barb Warwick of Greenfield flagged 16 invoices from nearby municipalities during council’s July 15 committee meeting. Ten of those, totaling $26,952, were for emergency medical services coverage during the NFL Draft in April.

 Budget Director Keirsten Walmsley said she assumed the invoices would be eligible for reimbursement from a $2 million VisitPittsburgh grant awarded just ahead of the draft, but she could not confirm it during the meeting.

Council Member Erika Strassburger of Squirrel Hill North said Controller Rachael Heisler is putting together a report on the impact of the draft on the city. Walmsley said Acting Budget Director Rea Price is also putting together a report based on the city’s expenses.

For many, the benefits of the draft did not live up to the event’s promises.

“Sometimes it feels like it’s kind of marketed that way, like we’re lucky to get the event,” said Warwick. “It’s actually your privilege to come to our city.”

The other six invoices were for EMS coverage during events such as the Juneteenth celebration, the Morgan Wallen concert and a Pittsburgh Penguins game. Those invoices totaled $5,290.

Council approved all 16 invoices.

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
Erika Strassburger
Topics:
Public Safety & EMSCity Budget & Fiscal
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · July 14, 2026

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