NEW YORK, April 27 (Reuters) – The fate of the National
Football League’s annual Pro Bowl remains uncertain amid growing
speculation the All-Star game could be suspended next year or
possibly scrapped altogether.
ESPN initially reported that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,
who had publicly expressed his concern about the quality of
football being played in the game, was considering shelving it.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed on Friday the league was
discussing the future of the game but said nothing had been
decided yet.
“We have been in discussions with the Players Association
about the future of the Pro Bowl,” he said. “No decisions have
been made.”
Under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement,
the NFL and the Players Association would need to reach
agreement on the fate of the Pro Bowl.
The Newly elected NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth
confirmed the talks with the NFL but said he was in favour of
retaining the game.
“The Pro Bowl is an important tradition we are in talks with
the league to improve and preserve the game for our players and
fans,” he tweeted.
The Pro Bowl, which is supposed to pit the best players from
the AFC and NFC against each other, started in 1970, although
different versions of the All-Star game date back as far as the
1930s.
Unlike other North American sports which play their All-Star
games mid-season, the NFL’s showpiece is held at the end of the
regular season, a week before the Super Bowl.
While being selected for the game is one of the highest
honours in the NFL, participation is voluntary so many of the
best players choose not to play.
Played almost exclusively in Hawaii for the last three
decades, the game has been criticised as amounting to little
more than an exhibition.
This year’s game, which the AFC won 59-41, was heavily
criticised for its lack of hard defense, with even Goodell
saying he believed it reflected poorly on the league.
(Reporting By Steve Ginsburg; editing by Julian Linden)
