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Tuesday, August 1, 2000
Show time for Telecasts of state tournament events will jump from four to 21 this coming school year, as the Hawaii High School Athletic Association has come to an agreement with Hawaii Sports Network also involving KFVE-TV (Channel 5).
prep sports
A deal is made to televise
21 state high school
tournaments in 2000-01
By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin"This is a win-win situation all the way around," said HHSAA executive director Keith Amemiya. "There will be unprecedented coverage of our student-athletes on a statewide basis and beyond."
The deal, announced yesterday, gives HSN exclusive television and Internet broadcast rights for three years. It also guarantees the HHSAA $100,000 cash over the length of the agreement, as well as other production, marketing and Internet support estimated by HSN and the HHSAA at $500,000.
HSN already has entered into a distribution agreement with KFVE-TV to air the events. They also will be Webcast and archived at HawaiiSportsNetwork.com.
"We've always wanted a larger presence in Hawaii high school sports," KFVE-TV vice president and general manager John Fink said. "Now, thanks to the HHSAA and Hawaii Sports Network, it's possible."
On-air talent is scheduled to be provided by KFVE-TV when there is no conflict with University of Hawaii events. If there is, HSN will arrange for the announcers.
HSN is a Honolulu-based integrated sports media and services company affiliated with the Rivals.com sports Internet network. HSN recently received strong local financial backing. It is moving into downtown office space later this month and plans to add more staff.
Chris Dey is HSN's co-founder and president. He said his company's support of the HHSAA and Hawaii high school sports in general will go beyond the telecasts and financing.
"We want to continue to produce great content and be a resource for coaches, administrators, media and of course, fans," Dey said. "One of our goals is to have a student sports information director at each school."
The televised championships this year will be bowling, football, volleyball, softball, soccer, swimming and diving, basketball, wrestling, cheerleading, baseball and basketball. Eight boys' and eight girls' tournaments will be broadcast.
"We eventually hope to have all tournaments televised," Amemiya said. "In the meanwhile, we plan to show highlights of the others during state tournament broadcasts. We also hope to add a monthly, or perhaps, weekly, high school sports TV magazine."
Amemiya added that last year Fox Sports West 2 showed interest in a regional showing of the 1999 Hawaii state championship football game. It never came to fruition.