Pro Bowl Set To Remain in Hawaii for 2012-13 Season

Whether or not it's a farce, the Pro Bowl is here to stay for at least another year.

The New Orleans Saints' Twitter account made it official on Wednesday with this tweet:

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The NFL announced the 2013 Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday, Jan. 27

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 30, 2012"

Earlier this year, several news outlets reported that there was talk of the Pro Bowl being canceled. For too long it had failed to attract the game's biggest stars, most of whom would rather not make the long trek to Hawaii to play in an exhibition game.

There was even speculation that the Pro Bowl could be held in New Orleans in 2013 to alleviate the epic journey many players make to get there and, hopefully, to draw more big names to the event. 

Prior to the beginning of the NFL owners meetings in Atlanta, the Honolulu Star Advertiser's Fred Lewis reported that commissioner Roger Goodell had considered "suspending" the game for 2013. However, come January, it will be the same show as always.

Perhaps in an effort to get the participants to play a little harder (read: try), the NFL is offering some financial incentives, according to a tweet from ESPN NFL legal analyst Andrew Brandt:

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One more Pro Bowl note: in 2013 winning players to receive $53,000; losers $26,000.Should make for some effort in 4th quarter.

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) May 30, 2012"

What It Means

The NFL is holding onto its all-star festivities, at least for now. The Pro Bowl is widely considered to be one of the most unsuccessful all-star events in all of professional sports. It's often seen as a chore rather than an honor, but perhaps Goodell and company are out to change that. 

What Comes Next

The Pro Bowl may be on for 2013, but how much longer will it stick around after that? The game isn't gaining any popularity among fans or players, so if the 2013 edition fails as badly as the 2012 game, you'd have to think that either a new format or a cancellation will be introduced.

This could be the Pro Bowl's one last chance.