The hang-up in negotiations between the NFL and Hawai'i Tourism Authority over future Pro Bowls appears to be due to the league's refusal to say exactly what years it would return.

But NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said on Thursday that the league wanted to, and expected to, return the Pro Bowl to Hawai'i in the future.

Frank Supovitz, NFL senior vice president, reiterated that sentiment yesterday at the Kapi'olani festival.

"We really hope we're going to be back right away," Supovitz told the crowd, adding, "We consider Honolulu one of our homes as well."

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said he met with Goodell on Thursday.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona Jr. also met with Goodell for about half an hour on Thursday and said that they had fruitful discussions about the NFL's future in Hawai'i. Aiona said Goodell "left me a couple things in my pocket, things to ponder" that he will discuss with Gov. Linda Lingle.

"Unfortunately, it's not our decision to make with regard to the Pro Bowl being here," he said. "It's between the NFL and HTA."

Both Hannemann and Aiona said they were confident a deal could be reached to bring back the game after 2010.