NASSAU, Bahamas —  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a huge football fan, ruled out applying for the newly opened post of NFL commissioner Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, it came open at the wrong time," said Rice, who was clearly amused when a reporter posed the question. "Obviously, I'm very busy as secretary of state, and I intend to continue to be secretary of state as long as the president of the United States will have me."

Rice, an avid follower of the Cleveland Browns and professional football in general, has frequently said she aspires to run the league one day.

In the days since NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced he would retire, Rice's aides have said she was not interested.

Rice spoke while in the Bahamas to meet with 14 foreign ministers and the secretary general of the Caribbean Community and Common Market, a regional trade bloc known as Caricom.