National Football League officials spent four days in Honolulu but did not hold Pro Bowl negotiations with the state, league and Hawaii Tourism Authority spokesmen said Thursday.

It was the first visit by NFL headquarters since Gov. Neil Abercrombie lashed out last week at the state’s $4 million annual payment to host the league’s all-star game.

The 2012 Pro Bowl is the last under the current contract between the NFL and the HTA. The game has been played here every year except once since 1980.

The league termed this week’s meetings, "a routine planning trip in advance of the 2012 Pro Bowl" and said it consisted of "event planning. No talks (were) planned."

State officials have said they do not expect negotiations on a new Pro Bowl contract to resume until the NFL settles its collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association.

An HTA spokesman described the visit as "low key" and much of it involved meeting with local partners and sponsors about Pro Bowl week events. In addition, officials said the NFL inspected the new artificial surface being installed at Aloha Stadium.