JD says that the UH Athletic Department creates the most revenue of any WAC school and hints that UH has to support Athletics more

KHON Note: "The department's two engine drivers haven't helped. Ticket sales for the football and men's basketball teams are down a combined $1.8 million."

About how UH's Athletic Department creates the most revenue of any school in the WAC, JD said:
"We're actually number one, we're creating the most revenue out there for any of our peers,. We do about two-and-a-half million dollars in pay-per-view, those numbers are off the charts. The total in new revenue and reduced expenses is about two million dollars." (KHON)

Hinting that UH has to support the Athletic Department more, JD said:
"Maybe there's a case to be made that the state, the system in Manoa combined need to come up with a greater percentage of our budget." (KHON)

KHON Note: "He says UH receives far less aid than any other WAC school. Less than 20 percent of its budget comes from the university and the state compared to 50 percent with other schools."

About how the Athletic Department should have asked for more financial support when the economy was strong 6 years ago, JD said:
"We probably should have had this conversation six years ago when everything was flushed with money but typically sometimes when things get really bad economically that's when all the bodies float to the surface so to speak." (KHON)

When Regent James Lee asked him "What are we doing to make the product better?", JD replied:
"We can't change over night, you hire a coach, and realistically its about three or four years before you can determine whether that coach was the right hire or not." (KHON)

When Board of Regents Chairman Howard Karr said "What I'm looking for is something more concrete from you as to what the steps you'll be taking in the future?", JD replied that he'll create a 5-year plan to balance the budget and then added:
"We're the only school in the WAC right now that doesn't have a student athletic fee. If we are going to get out of our overall deficit will have to be a part of the solution whether it be in a potential activity fee or whether in some price increases." (KHON)

Note: JD pointed out that Fresno State students pay a $39 per semester fee that generates $1.4 million annually for their Athletic Department.

KHON Note: "The Board of Regents approved an increase in ticket ranges and premium charges for next year which could generate as much as $375,000."

http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/UH-Athletic-Department-Could-Face-10-1-Million/-6VIjzCfIkmHU0eLoA1g2w.cspx