There is "increased debate" over how much the Pro Bowl is worth to Hawaii as the NFL prepares to announce by Thursday whether Honolulu will retain the event in '17, according to Ferd Lewis of the HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER. The NFL has until Thursday "to opt out" under the terms of a '14 contract with the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Recent hearings at the state capitol have "questioned the amount of the Pro Bowl’s worth to the state as the single most subsidized sports event." The NFL in its deal receives $5M, plus $152,250 in operational costs, which is "more than the other 18 sports events the state supports combined." The HTA said that it spends $9M in support of sports events "for an economic impact value" of $144M. The HTA this month listed the '16 Pro Bowl as having produced $26.2M in impact, drawing over 15,000 visitors. But state Rep. Matthew LoPresti has "questioned whether some of the figures, including a $6.30 per $1 return on investment, were exclusive to visitors or also included local residents" (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 3/29).
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HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY ROI FOR SPORTING EVENTS
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EVENT
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SUBSIDY
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RETURN PER $1
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Pro Bowl
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$5.25M
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$6.30
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PGA Tour
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$1.99M
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$32.42
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Xterra Events
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$132,000
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$63.66-69.04
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LPGA
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$250,000
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$66.66
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Ironman
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$250,000
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$98.88
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Kauai Marathon
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$25,000
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$116.00
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