Tuesday, March 23, 1999

Study: UH
athletics big boost
to economy

The Rainbows' sporting events
brought in more than $48 million
last year, according to an
economic analysis

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

The University of Hawaii Athletics Department ranks among the top 150 business activities in Hawaii for revenue and employment, according to an economic analysis.

UH athletic events last year brought more than 15,300 visitors here who contributed more than $27 million in direct spending, the study says. With ripple effects, the amount grew to more than $48 million, it says.

Jack P. Suyderhoud, UH professor of business economics, did the study for the athletics department with assistance from graduate student William Park.

They analyzed economic impacts of the athletics department from Dec. 1, 1997, to Nov. 30, last year.

"In today's times of fiscal austerity, UHAD sporting events provide a much-needed boost for the people of Hawaii," they said.

For the year ended June 30 last year, the athletic department received $1.5 million in general fund revenues while ticket sales, concessions and other "entrepreneurial" revenues were $12 million, they said.

Other highlights:

Increased spending for sporting events resulted in nearly an $18 million increase in Hawaii household incomes and $3 million in state and county tax collections.

More than 760 year-around jobs were created as a result of the increased spending.

Football had the largest single impact, accounting for 57 percent of additional visitors and about 53 percent of added direct visitor expenditures.

Men's basketball was the second-largest contributor. Men's volleyball, women's basketball and volleyball and baseball had about the same impact.

The total value of national television and other media exposures was valued at $2.4 million to the state.

UH football games paid about $255,000 in rent to cover Aloha Stadium expenses during last year's football season. The season also resulted in $218,000 paid to stadium workers.

Wages and benefits amounted to about $353,000 to workers at the Stan Sheriff Center and the UH Baseball Stadium, and monies paid to nonprofit organizations running concessions was nearly $161,000.