The NFL has bowed to players’ demand to return the Pro Bowl to Honolulu in 2013. That’s big news for Hawaii, which thought it’d been knocked off the list after Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s much-publicized attack on the game — saying Hawaii “bribes” the NFL with a $4 million subsidy to put on a “scrimmage.”

The Pro Bowl brought in 17,048 visitors last year who accounted for $28.15 million in spending, which generated about $3 million in tax revenue.

Earlier this year, there’d been some talk of New Orleans hosting the 2013 Pro Bowl — or even canceling it after complaints that the match-up looked more like a touch-football game than the real thing.

NFL.com reports:

The 2013 Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii for the 33rd time, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced today. 

…

“The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson. “We will support the players on this initiative to improve the Pro Bowl. We have had many discussions with the players in recent years about the Pro Bowl and they recognize that the quality of the game has not been up to NFL standards. We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season’s game.”

Read our related coverage:

– Hawaii Gov Says State “Bribes” NFL to Hold Pro Bowl “Scrimmage”

– FACT CHECK — Gov: Weekend of Civil Unions Will Bring in More Cash Than Pro Bowl

– Gov Wants to Keep Pro Bowl