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Another sold out Pro Bowl in 2008
By Ralph A Gora February 10, 2008 |
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HONOLULU--The 30th annual Pro Bowl was a sell out as 50,000 plus fans filed into Aloha Stadium, for maybe the second to the last time as next season might be the final Pro Bowl as we know it, here in Honolulu. NFL commissioner of football Roger Goodell is considering moving the game from Honolulu and rotating it thorough different cities. The fans have said that the game is sold out and that it would make no sense to move it and rotate the game, and many Pro Bowls before the 2008 Pro Bowl have been sold out. Big Island Burritos restaurant owner Alan Lee who has a restaurant here at Aloha Stadium said that the move of the Pro Bowl would not only impact business but it didn't make any sense at all considering the game is sold out every year. "I can't imagine the game leaving, the Pro Bowl sells out every year and it's Honolulu's only show in town once a year, tell the commissioner to leave the game here," said Lee. The game was announced as a sell out on Monday night. Aloha Stadium officials have announced previous to the sell out that fans need to hurry and get their tickets for the only time a big league sport comes to Honolulu. The state of Hawaii estimates that they draw in $30 million a year in spending revenue generated from tourism and money spent for the Pro Bowl. Some people however from the Hawaii Tourism Authority have said that the $4 million that the Authority chips in should be used on other things such as other sporting Hawaiian events like high school and college sports. "I heard they were thinking about moving it? To where? What, it costs too much for them? That's a bad idea I think?” said Cowboys offensive Flozell Adams. The game also attracts many fans, players, NFL staffers and locals who can entertain or be entertained by the shopping, native style food, luaus, Ala Moana Shopping center, the Aloha Tower and more. Amongst some of the politicians who hope to work something out with the NFL is Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle. Governor Lingle said that she is proud that the game was a sell out and that it's hard to believe not only Honolulu and the state of Hawaii without the game after 30 years but also all the good things that the state and the NFL has done together to make the game a possibility in working together all these years, "We hope the players, their families, and visitors, attending the game all enjoy what Hawaii has to offer, including our world class beaches and mountains, our exceptional dining and shopping, and the warm February weather. We're certain all of you will be the recipients of our legendary aloha spirit. My best wishes for a memorable game." said Lingle. Lingle has been saying that she wants the game to stay here in Hawaii and that she is sure that next season's Pro Bowl will be sold out just like this year's. Lingle said she and state officials intend to start working on keeping the Pro Bowl here at the conclusion of Pro Bowl week. Ralph A Gora is covering is covering the 2008 Pro Bowl his second of his broadcast career. |
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