Political Football

Gov. Neil Abercrombie compared Pro Bowl negotiations to having a gun held to the state’s head by the NFL, but later said, "We would like to continue to have (the game) and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that comes about in a fashion that will make everybody very, very happy."

The comments, which took place in a 6-hour span Tuesday morning, came amid continuing negotiations between the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the NFL about extending a 32-year relationship that expires after Sunday’s game.

A spokesman at NFL headquarters declined comment.

Last year Abercrombie questioned the wisdom of the state paying the NFL $4 million a year to hold its annual all-star game here, saying, "This is a values question. I’m not really that concerned (about) multibillionaire (NFL owners). What do they do with all that? How many sandwiches can you eat?"

Tuesday morning on Hawaii News Now’s "Sunrise" show, Abercrombie said he was seeking a relationship like the one the state has with the Sony Open in Hawaii, terming it, "a real partnership. It is not something where somebody comes in and just tries to extract money, perhaps at the expense of others."

The HTA pays Sony $425,000 and this year is contracted to give the NFL $4 million plus $152,500 in stadium operating costs.

Abercrombie told "Sunrise," "Nobody likes to have a gun put to their head. And, so, if we can get a genuine partnership there the way we have with Sony — I use that as a best example — it could be a better partnership. The other situation (with the NFL) is kind of ‘you give us this or else.’ Nobody likes that kind of an attitude."

Later in the morning and just moments after NFL executive vice president for football operations Ray Anderson told a press conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, "We are aware of the comments of the governor recently," Abercrombie made a surprise appearance at the event, staff in tow.

Ostensibly there to talk about NFL Asia-Pacific initiatives "as an ideal opportunity to follow up on APEC," Abercrombie used the opportunity to praise the NFL’s innovation and declare relations with the league "excellent."

He said, "Despite some stories to the contrary, the relationship (with the NFL) is solid and I hope it is going to stay that way."

He characterized talks with the NFL as, , … I guess they are called negotiations but they’re really conversations between friends as to how we can mutually benefit everyone with regard to the continuation of the Pro Bowl being here."

Asked if he was attempting to repair relations, Abercrombie said, "To the degree or extent that I contributed to it, I certainly want to make certain that it is crystal clear that, of course, we’d like to continue to have the Pro Bowl here. The only question has always been is: How do we work all this out in a way that will meet everybody’s needs."

Asked if the 2013 or ’14 game could still be held here, Abercrombie said, "We’re gonna certainly do everything we can to make sure that happens. We’d be delighted if they did."

Hawaii News Now Video: Abercrombie softens tone as state negotiates to keep Pro Bowl