UH Mānoa athletics report tackles financial issues

News Release from UH System, February 11, 2015

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Athletic Department released “The Financial State of Hawaiʻi Athletics: Version 2.0 – Revisiting the Game Plan” for review by the UH Board of Regents. The department’s mission and future goals are outlined, which includes funding needs to achieve those goals.

“This report provides valuable information and guidance as we work with all of our stakeholders to develop the best possible plan to ensure the stability and success of the athletic department,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman. “UH athletics is not only important to the university, but to the entire state and we must do everything we can to put it in the best possible position to thrive.”

Additional topics covered include:

• The department’s financial history
• Projected 2016–2018 revenue and expenses
• Operating efficiently
• How the department compares with other Division I athletic programs
• Future financial impacts
• Options for program reduction
• Facility renovation priorities
• Economic impact of Hawaiʻi Athletics

Download the full report.

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Excerpt from Report:  (pg12)

The bold and plausible options (or combination of options) are difficult but must be considered.

1. Request and receive a direct allocation of G funding from the state legislature for the next two biennium state budgets between $3-$4 million per year.

2. Receive additional institutional support from the university over and above our current projected allocations for FY2016-FY2018 up to our full cost of athletic scholarships (tuition, fees, room, board and books).

3. Increase the student athletic fee from $50 to $75 per semester (which would generate approximately $850,000 to support the department’s 475 student-athletes).

4. Eliminate 3 sport programs (in Option 1) which would save approximately $1.35 million but will eliminate 20% of our athletic opportunities representing 98 student-athletes from Hawai’i. Since the affected sport programs are equivalency sports, most if not all of these student athletes are tuition and housing-paying students which will be additional lost revenue offsetting potential savings.

5. Create a well-thought and comprehensive business plan to take the university’s licensing program in-house after the Licensing Resource Group (LRG) contract year concludes to grow (and protect) our UH brand and marks in Hawai’i and overseas. Review and optimize the number of licensees and the diversity and breadth of licensed apparel and soft goods.

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