Sports

NFL decides not to cancel Pro Bowl

The much-maligned Pro Bowl lives on.

January’s dire all-star game vexed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who ordered a review of the showpiece to decide whether it should be scrapped.

But in a joint announcement from the league and players’ union, NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth said the players “believe that the Pro Bowl is an important tradition.“

The game will therefore be held in its usual spot, one week before the Super Bowl, on Sunday Jan. 27.

A report earlier this month from the Times-Picayune indicated the NFL owners were considering moving the game from Hawaii to the New Orleans’ Superdome, where Super Bowl XLVII will be held.

However, the league said Wednesday the players wanted the game to remain in Hawaii, where those who are selected traditionally bring family and friends.

“The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson.

The 2012 Pro Bowl, which ended 59-41 in favor of the NFC, featured the usual lack of defense and lax effort that has marred the fixture for years.

But despite the game’s poor quality relative to a regular season game, the broadcast generated strong ratings for NBC. The NFL said the 2012 broadcast was the second most-watched since 2001 with 12.5 million viewers.

“We have had many discussions with the players in recent years about the Pro Bowl and they recognize that the quality of the game has not been up to NFL standards,” Anderson went on.

“We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season’s game.