Hawaii may give radio, TV stations extra time to make final offers
The window for exclusive negotiation officially ends Friday for the current holders of radio and TV rights for University of Hawaii sports. But UH is willing to keep it open a while longer for KKEA (1420-AM) and KHNL/KFVE (Channels 8 and 5).
"We're making progress," UH associate athletic director John McNamara said yesterday. "I think we're just trying to make sure they have the opportunity to put their best and final offers on the table. Once we have that we'll determine if we extend the current agreements or go out to bid and give other interested parties an opportunity."
UH has received a proposal from KKEA, but none yet from KHNL/KFVE, McNamara said.
"We'll be meeting with (KHNL/KFVE) this week to get an idea where they're at in the process and what their thoughts are," McNamara said.
KKEA general manager Randal Ikeda declined comment while negotiations are ongoing.
KHNL/KFVE general manager and vice president John Fink wants to continue to cover the University.
"I'm hopeful and optimistic that we'll be able to continue a great relationship," Fink said.
The athletic department seems happy with the way things have been going under the current contract.
"We very much value both the entities we've been working with," interim athletic director Carl Clapp said.
Internet video streaming won't be part of the current negotiations. ESPN, via the Western Athletic Conference, controls those rights for the next three years, McNamara said.
However, Hawaiian Telcom has facilitated Internet video streaming of selected UH sports events because ESPN has declined to do so.
"They've done it the past three years without an issue," McNamara said. "The global piece, the streaming piece, is very important to us. Right now we're still bound by the conference agreement with ESPN on streaming rights."
The current radio and TV contracts end June 30.