While the focus would be on Honolulu, even if the NFL decides to continue to operate the Pro Bowl, there’s no guarantee the all-star game would be held here in 2014, an NFL official said Tuesday.

"There’s always a possibility that it could go elsewhere if we continue to play the game," Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president of football operations, said.

"But I think the focus and determination has gotta be here," Anderson said. "There is a strong preference to stay right here."

The game will be played Sunday at Aloha Stadium, and Anderson said a decision on the game’s future could come in April.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell told the NFL, "We want you to come back and we want you to know that the City and County of Honolulu will partner up with you whether it is getting permits for street closures, using our parks or any other things you need." He told the NFL, "You have a friend in Honolulu Hale."

Anderson acknowledged, there’s at least a precedent that it (going elsewhere) could happen," citing 2010, when the game was played in South Florida in conjunction with the Super Bowl.

The game has been held here every year except one since 1980.

Anderson said, "I can’t give you a percentage on it (remaining in Honolulu), because there is a business component to the matter. But I can tell you if it were up to the players and coaches, I’m sure it would be 100 percent because they love it (here)."

The NFL is testing that love, challenging the players to improve significantly upon last year’s lackluster performance in a 59-41 AFC victory that prompted frequent boos from the Aloha Stadium crowd and commissioner Roger Goodell’s threat to consider ending the game.

Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said the NFL players understand their performance has to improve for the game to continue.

"I think the message is clear," Tillman said at a news conference. "The quality of the play has to be better than it was last year. For those guys playing Sunday, I think the message is very clear: We have to play better," said Tillman, who is playing in his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

Anderson said Goodell told the players, " ‘to step up and play the game at a level that is consistent with NFL quality and effort.’ That’s what we need, because otherwise it is embarrassing to the brand and it is cheating our fans who expect NFL all-stars to play NFL football and nothing less," Anderson said.

Members of the winning team will be paid $50,000 and players on the losing squad will receive $25,000.

The 2012 game was seen by 12.5 million viewers, making it the second-most-viewed Pro Bowl in 12 years, behind the 2011 game. The 2012 viewership topped baseball’s all-star game by 1.5 million viewers and led all pro all-star games.