The NFL Draft will go on, but perhaps without the players selected.
The NFL players union is working on a plan that would keep the top players from Radio City Music Hall, the site of the Draft, according to an ESPN.com report.
The union has contacted the top-17 prospects, the report says.
“As of right now, this is 100 percent happening,” one source told the website. “This is going down.”
The union decertified Friday, hours before they were locked out by the owners as the two sides ceased talks for a new collective bargaining agreement. The Draft — scheduled for April 28-30 and aired on ESPN — is one part of the offseason that will occur despite the lockout.
But it would not be ideal for the league if the players picked were not there to shake hands with commissioner Roger Goodell, hold up their new jersey, or be available for interviews.
The first round of the Draft is now shown in prime time on ESPN and NFL Network.
“We plan to invite the 15-20 top prospects and their families to New York as we normally do for this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” league spokesman Greg Aiello told the website in response to the report.
“And, as always, it is the decision of the players and their families as to whether they attend.”
The Giants have the 19th pick; the Jets have the 30th.