NEW YORK — Have NFL fans seen the last of the Pro Bowl?
The game could be suspended next year, two people familiar with discussions said Thursday.
Commissioner Roger Goodell, among others, expressed concerns about the quality of play after January’s game, and the league has been holding talks with the players’ union about the future of the all-star game. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were not being publicized.
Responding to an ESPN report that Goodell is “strongly considering” suspending the game in 2013, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said: “No determination has been made yet.”
Goodell said before the Super Bowl in February he was unhappy with what he saw in the AFC’s 59-41 win in the Pro Bowl at Honolulu — a game that often resembled touch football. Many players chosen for the game bow out, and if the Pro Bowl is held before the Super Bowl, as it was during the past three years, players from the conference champions don’t participate.
The game still draws solid TV ratings, but isn’t considered a money maker. Although viewership dropped 8.1 percent in January, the Pro Bowl still was the highest-rated sports program of the weekend.
Around the league
GIANTS: New York Giants added depth to their defensive line signing tackle Shaun Rogers. The 12-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the New Orleans Saints, starting four games and making 22 tackles. He also has played with Detroit and Cleveland.
Rogers has played in 156 regular-season games with 128 starts. He has 504 tackles, 37 1/2 sacks, 27 passes defensed, and an interception he returned 66 yards for a touchdown with the Lions in 2007.
BENGALS: A judge has dismissed an assault charge against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga after learning the dispute was settled in mediation. Maualuga was charged with misdemeanor assault after an employee at a downtown bar told police that the middle linebacker punched him in the face on Feb. 5
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