UH projects travel subsidies between $1.1 million and $1.2 million for the MWC/Big West conferences in 2012

About how the $1.1 million to $1.2 million they project for annual travel subsidies when they join the MWC and Big West in 2012, but it could be made up by reduced travel costs, improved rights fees, and improved ticket sales, JD said:
"It could be a wash." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Terms call for UH to pay a maximum of $150,000-$175,000 for each of the four MWC football opponents who come to Aloha Stadium, depending upon which time zones they come from. Meanwhile, UH will pay approximately $500 per person for Big West teams in men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, women's volleyball, soccer and water polo and other sports to come here."


HSA Note: "Until the WAC expanded to 16 teams, for example, UH paid for 65 roundtrip tickets from the West Coast for conference football opponents and 18 in men's basketball and other sports provided they did not make use of the so-called "Hawaii Exemption," an NCAA policy that permitted an extra contest. The mounting cost of unreimbursed travel to Hawaii was one reason cited for not including UH when the MWC was formed in 1999 by eight renegade members from the old WAC -- Air Force, Brigham Young, Colorado State, New Mexico, Nevada-Las Vegas, San Diego State, Utah and Wyoming. In the Big West, opponents received a flat $4,500 per team for women's volleyball, basketball and softball teams. A Big West request for enhanced travel subsidies in 1991 helped put UH on the road to the WAC in women's sports."


HSA Note: "For MWC football teams, the numbers are set to approximate the cost of a charter flight for a travel party of up to 130 people. The roster limit for MWC football travel squads is 64 players, with the remainder made up of coaches, support staff, broadcasters and officials. MWC opponents from the Pacific Time Zone -- Fresno State, Nevada, UNLV and San Diego State -- would have the $150,000 ceiling, while foes from the Mountain or Central time zones would receive up to $175,000, according to an agreement in principle. If UH can demonstrate a cheaper fare, it can negotiate a lower cost. UH has offered opponents in both the MWC and Big West an option to book travel themselves under the agreed-upon ceilings or to have UH book it for them though a designated travel agency, assuming responsibility for the cost."


About how some of their schools will take the option to have UH book their travel through a designated travel agency, with UH taking responsibility for the cost, Big West Commissioner Dennis Farrell said:
"There are probably a pretty good number that will opt for the Hawaii booking option." (HSA)


HSA Note: "UH paid nearly $100,000 in airfare to bring USC here for the 2010 season and will pay nearly $150,000 to bring Tulane in from New Orleans for a nonconference game in 2011.:

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101228_Travel_tab_may_top_1M.html