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Full-Court Press
Having the National Football League see Honolulu as a capable caretaker for its postseason all-star game should be seen as a major coup. Pro Bowl win-win
deal for HawaiiGranted, sometimes all the talk of Orlando, Fla., whisking away the Pro Bowl to Disney World seemed, well, a little Mickey Mouse. But even the newest players on the negotiating team said the Sunshine State was a real threat to make those option years in the old contract permanent.
"Orlando definitely wanted the game," said Mark Rolfing, who chairs the events committee for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. His job was to keep the game here, but at a reasonable cost to the state. "Orlando made it public that they wanted it. And we all know how powerful Disney is these days.
"The way I looked at it, the old deal was over in 2001. We didn't want Orlando, or any other serious competition from NFL cities, to be an option."
THANKS to a four-year contract extension that's still subject to approval by the HTA and the NFL owners, the Pro Bowl will remain here through 2005.
No one was willing to discuss the bottom line, but if recent payments in the old deal are any indication, the ballpark figure should be in the $18 million range. What Hawaii gets from that investment also is difficult to count at the box office, but City Councilman Mufi Hannemann believes each year this game pumps $100 million into the local economy.
It certainly doesn't hurt to have all the travel shots broadcast back to the frigid mainland via ABC-TV and ESPN. Sunday's main event is accompanied by numerous other network broadcasts, several of which will be shown in tandem with certain NFL exhibition games this summer.
"This keeps Hawaii out there throughout the year," Hannemann said. "Back in 1992, we knew this experience had to be more than just one game.
"Through the years, we've added more events to allow the players to get involved with our fans. The Pro Bowl Community Outreach program has a dozen events that help many of our charitable organizations. Keeping the Pro Bowl here in Hawaii was big in so many ways."
NFL official Bill McConnell confirmed yesterday morning that the game was a sellout. It marked the 20th time in 21 Pro Bowls that Aloha Stadium will be filled to capacity, something not lost on key community figures.
DESPITE an NCAA record-setting turnaround by the University of Hawaii, the Rainbows only sold out one game -- the opener with Southern California. UH head coach June Jones had hoped the Oahu Bowl would be at maximum capacity, but it wasn't even close.
That speaks volumes of the drawing power of the NFL, not only from the local fans, but from those who come here via the mainland with the Pro Bowl in mind. Part of the revenue generated from these visitors goes directly into the state's coffers.
"Not only are we extending the contract, we're basically amending the conditions," Rolfing said. "The NFL came a long way in helping us offset our costs. What we wanted to do was derive direct revenue from people who come here for the game. It's a win-win situation for everybody."
The local fans are the biggest winners. Once a year they get an opportunity to see the game's brightest stars in a relaxed setting. Most of the players are accessible and willing to interact on different levels.
"The fans here are great," Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning said. "They treat you with respect. To be honest with you, you kind of wish it was like it is here everywhere you go."
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.