The Univ. of Hawaii athletic department is currently projecting a $9.3M deficit for the FY ending June 30, 2021, a loss that would be "on top of what could be in the neighborhood" of a $4.4M shortfall from FY '20, according to Ferd Lewis of the HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER. Both Figures "could fluctuate based upon a number of factors" including "whether football is played in the spring." Hawaii is "projecting revenues" of $32.9M for FY '21 and expenses of $42.2M. According to the report, which was delivered at a Hawaii Board of Regents meeting Thursday, the $9.3 M "shortfall 'assumes no women’s volleyball' and also reflects no seat premium revenues" as well as the loss of $1.4M in guarantees from football games (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 9/4).
WINDFALL: The STAR-ADVERTISER's Lewis in a separate piece notes Hawaii signed a "five-year TV rights extension with Spectrum," under which it "can earn an average of nearly" $3.1M per year. The school was "contracted to receive" $2.54M for the final year of the agreement that expired on June 30. The new agreement "also carries an option for a sixth year with a 3% increase in rights fees." Hawaii "must make at least seven football games and 60 overall events available to Spectrum." There was "no restriction on whether the football games had to be played in the fall or spring" (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 9/4).
