>> SHOULD COLLEGE ATHLETES BE PAID WITH PUBLIC MONEY?

THROUGH NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS, OR N-I-L, ATHLETES CAN NOW EARN MONEY FROM ENDORSEMENTS, APPEARANCES AND THE UNIVERSITIES THEY PLAY FOR.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING BILLS THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A N-I-L FRAMEWORK FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I, AS THE SCHOOL ASKS THE LEGISLATURE FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETE COMPENSATION.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I START NOW.

>> Yunji: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT REGULATES ATHLETICS FOR 1,100 MEMBER SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I.

IN 2021, THE N-C-DOUBLE-A ADOPTED A NEW POLICY, N-I-L, OR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS, ALLOWING STUDENT ATHLETES TO PROFIT OFF THEIR FAME, THROUGH THINGS LIKE ENDORSEMENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND APPEARANCES.

JUST HOW MUCH A STUDENT-ATHLETE MAKES FROM N-I-L DEALS CAN RANGE FROM A FEW THOUSAND TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THIS SESSION, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING A PROPOSED 5-MILLION DOLLAR N-I-L PROGRAM TO HELP UH RECRUIT AND RETAIN ATHLETES.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S NECESSARY TO KEEP UH COMPETITIVE, WHILE CRITICS PUSH BACK SAYING THE MONEY SHOULD GO TO OTHER URGENT NEEDS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

SENATOR GLENN WAKAI BEGAN HIS PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER IN 2002 WHEN HE WAS ELECTED TO THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HE MOVED TO THE SENATE IN 2010 WHERE HE REPRESENTS AN AREA THAT INCLUDES KALIHI, MAPUNAPUNA, SALT LAKE AND PEARL CITY.

HE IS CURRENTLY THE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER.

REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT SERVES HOUSE DISTRICT 22, REPRESENTING MANOA, TANTALUS, AND MCCULLY-MO'ILI'ILI, AND CHAIRS THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

BORN IN JAPAN AND RAISED AT CAMP ZAMA AS AN ARMY BRAT, HE LATER MOVED TO HAWAI'I AND GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA.

MATT ELLIOTT IS THE UH ATHLETICS DIRECTOR, OVERSEEING 21 NCAA DIVISION 1 SPORTS PROGRAMS WITH MORE THAN 500 STUDENT-ATHLETES.

RAISED IN MASSACHUSETTS, HE FIRST MOVED TO HAWAI'I IN 2005 TO WORK AS A LAW CLERK AND ALSO MET HIS WIFE.

AFTER SEVERAL YEARS ON THE MAINLAND, HE AND HIS FAMILY MOVED BACK TO O'AHU IN 2022.

AND CHRIS BROWN IS THE ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH FOR THE RAINBOW WARRIORS.

THE KAHALU'U NATIVE IS ENTERING HIS FIFTH SEASON ON THE COACHING STAFF.

BROWN WAS A HAMMAH ON DEFENSE WHEN HE PLAYED FOR UH LEADING THE TEAM IN TACKLES AND FORCED FUMBLES IN 2001.

SO LET'S START WITH THE HAMMAH TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

COACH, EL IT US BRIEFLY, WHAT CHANGES CAN YOU DESCRIBE, BEING A COLLEGE ATHLETE AND NOW.

>> THERE'S A LOT.

TRANSFER PORTAL.

THE NAME, IMAGE LIKENESS, ALL OF THAT STUFF HAS CHANGED BECAUSE WHEN WE WERE PLAYING, IT WAS -- IT WAS LITERALLY FOR LOYALTY.

IT WAS FOR PRIDE.

NOW THERE'S A NEW LANDSCAPE AND IT IS WHAT IT IS.

IT'S THE ABILITY TO LEAVE SCHOOLS THAT SCARE ME.

AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE WHERE WE WERE PLAYING, IT WAS LIKE YOU PLAYED FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AND THAT WAS IT.

YOU WERE THERE FOR FOUR TO FIVE YEARS, AND YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT.

NOW THERE'S THE OPTION WITH THE TRANSFER PORTAL, WHICH CHANGES EVERYTHING.

BUT RETAINING THESE PLAYERS AND KEEPING THEM HERE, THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING THAT OUR COACHING STAFF HAS DONE.

>> Lauren: SORRY.

A.D.

ELLIOTT, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW N.I.L.

DEALS ARE STRUCTURE?

ARE THEY ONE-TIME PAYMENTS?

ROYALTIES, TIED TO WIN ANDS AND LOSSES?

>> THE N.I.L.

DEALS THAT WORK WITH BETWEEN THE INSTITUTION AND THE STUDENT ATHLETE ARE ONE-YEAR CONTRACTS.

STARTING IN JULY OF 2025, WE ARE ABLE TO START HAVING DIRECT CONTRACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STUDENT ATHLETE WHERE WE WOULD PAY THEM TYPICALLY ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

WE HAVE ONE YEAR AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW.

AND WE CAN DO IT ACROSS.

>> Lauren: REPRESENTATIVE GARRET, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE BILLS MOVING THROUGH SESSION?

WHAT'S ALIVE AND HOW IT WORKS.

>> SURE.

ONE BILL ALIVE, 3265.

SETS UP A GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK.

A FEW THINGS, ONE, IT AFFIRMS THE RIGHTS OF STUDENT ATHLETE TO ENGAGE IN N.I.L.

DEALS.

TWO, UNIVERSITY TO PREPARE CLEAR POLICY GUIDELINES OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO EFFECT WAIT THIS.

THERE'S ANNUAL REPORTING.

WE'LL SAY ONE BILL WE HAVE IN PLAY DOES NOT HAVE AN APPROPRIATION TO IT.

WE DID RECEIVE A NOTICE FROM THE GOVERNOR REQUESTING $5 MILLION TO FUND THIS INITIATIVE.

THE HOUSE DID INCLUDE THAT.

I BELIEVE THE SENATE TOOK IT OUT.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS.

TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN GIVE TO U.H.

>> Lauren: SENATOR WAKAI, WHERE DO YOU LAND ON THIS.

>> I'M A BIG FAN OF U.H.

ATHLETICS.

I'M NOT A BELIEVER THAT IT SHOULD BE FUNDED -- N.I.L.

SHOULD BE FUNDED THROUGH TAXPAYER FUNDS.

I DON'T THINK SOME.

HIGHEST PAID THIS THROW THE BALL.

WE HAVE PRESSING NEEDS.

WE HAVE FLOOD, TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.

FOR US AT THIS POINT SAY WE HAVE THE MOST HISTORIC TAX CUTS IN 2024, AND WE'RE CONTEMPLATING PULLING THAT BACK.

TO SAY OKAY, GENERAL PUBLIC, YOU DON'T GET A TAX BREAK BUT WE'RE GOING TO PUT $5 MILLION TO PAY AN 18-YEAR-OLD STUDENT ATHLETE CAN'T AMOUNT.

I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO BE RECEPTIVE TO THAT.

>> DIRECTOR, I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO RESPOND.

AND TAKING THIS IN PUT FROM THE CALLER.

THANK YOU FOR THOSE CALLING IN.

WITH 32% FOOD INSECURITY, INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS, HOW WITH CAN WE JUSTIFY USING STATE MONEY?

>> THERE ARE OTHER SOURCES.

I'LL START BY RESPONDING TO SENATOR WAKAI.

I DO BELIEVE THIS MONEY IS AN INVESTMENT.

SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR THE STATE OVERALL.

THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT.

SO WE'RE INVESTING DOLLARS IN AN ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT AND DOLLARS THAT GO TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETE.

WE'RE CREATING A MODEL.

TO COACH BROWN'S POINT, IF SOMEBODY KELLS COMES HERE, THEYE HERE FOR ONE YEAR, THAT'S NOT A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE.

STAY ALL FOUR YEAR, FIVE YEARS, GRADUATES, GETS THEIR DEGREE AND BECKS A FUTURE LEADER.

IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO COMPETE TO ALLOW THEM TO SAY, SAD REALITY IS STUDENT ATHLETES WILL LEAVE AND WE WON'T BE COMPETITIVE.

>> WON'T WE LOSE THEM ANYWHERE?

IF THEY'RE THEM TALENTED, WOULDT THERE BE A SCHOOL THAT PAYS MORE?

>> THAT'S POSSIBLE.

IF WE HAVE SOME FUNDS, DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MATCHING, BUT IF WE HAVE SOME FUNDS AND YOU COMBINE THAT WITH THE INCREDIBLE AT U.H., THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS WILL STAY.

>> CAN I ADD ON TO THAT?

>> PLEASE.

>> THERE ARE ATHLETES THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED, BUT THEY DECIDED TO STAY BECAUSE OF THE CULTURE.

BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS BUILT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I.

BROTHERHOOD, THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE.

BUT THEY'RE CONTINUOUSLY GETTING HIT ALL THE TIME.

AND PRESSURE FOR THEM TO GET PAID, IT'S THERE.

IT'S THERE.

AND HOW CAN WE COME TO THAT MEDIUM WHERE WE CAN STILL GIVE THEM THE GREAT EXPERIENCE, GIVE THEM A GREAT CULTURE.

THEY CAN STILL PLAY FOOTBALL AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS OF PLAYING IN THE NFL.

THERE HAS TO BE THAT IN BETWEEN THAT WE HELP THEM SOMEHOW SOME WAY.

>> MELVIN WRITING COLLEGE ATHLETES SHOULD NOT BE PAID BY PUBLIC MONEY.

REPRESENTREPRESENTATIVE?

>> THERE'S NO BLACK AND WHITE, RIGHT OR WRONG.

SENATOR WAKAI AND 75 COLLEAGUES HAVE A SOLEMN THE TIMING IS IMPORTANT.

WE ARE BECOMING A FULL-FLEDGED MEMBER IN THE OF MOUNTAIN WEST.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE COME UP WITH A STRONG SHOWING OUT OF THE GATE.

I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE $5 MILLION.

IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

WE HAVE A $20 BILLION BUDGET.

IT A LITERALLY A FRACTION OF A FRACTION.

IT'S A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A PROGRAM THAT MIGHT WHITHER AWAY.

WE LOSE THAT COMPETITIVENESS.

>> DIRECTOR ELLIOTT, EXPLAIN ON THIS IDEA OF INVESTMENT.

WHEN THE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE, FOLKS WHO DON'T WATCH COLLEGE SPORTS, WHO DON'T CARE, WHY THUD THEIR TAXPAYERS DOLLARS GO TO THIS?

WHAT IS THE DOWNSTREAM OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY?

>> WE'RE CREATING EXPOSURE, OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASINGS ADMISSIONS, ENROLLMENT AND BRING MORE PEOPLE TO THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, WHICH IS GREAT FOR OUR ECONOMY AND FUTURE.

SECOND, THERE IS AN ECONOMIC BENEFIT.

WE'RE WORKING ON AN ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT THAT WILL SHOW THE DOLLARS INVESTED AND HOW THAT IMPACTS THE STATE OVERALL.

EVEN IN 2015 WHEN THEY DID THIS, BUDGET WAS APPROXIMATELY $35 MILLION, THAT $35 MILLION -- THEY SHOWED THAT BUC LED TO $66 MILLION BUDGET.

CREATED OVER $800 AND TRIGGERED OVER $7 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE.

WHAT WE HOPE TO DO IS DEMONSTRATE TO THE STATE THAT EVERY DOLLAR THAT'S INVESTED IS GOING TO BE BROUGHT BACK MANY TIMES INTO THE STATE.

AND I THINK IT'S SELF-EVIDENT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SHERATON HAWAI'I BOWL, OVER 3,000 TICKETS BOUGHT FOR THAT GAME WERE BOUGHT BY PEOPLE OUT OF STATE.

THEY BELIEVE THAT LED TO, I BELIEVE, SOMEWHERE AROUND $7 MILLION OR $8 MILLION SPENDING WHILE THAT PEOPLE WERE HERE.

IT LED TO TELEVISION RATINGS THAT HAD 2.7 MILLION VIEWS.

THAT EXPOSURE TO OUR STATE, OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TOURISTS HERE FAR EXCEED INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.

>> SENATOR WAKAI, I HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT THE SPORTS.

WHY NOT SEE THIS AS AN INVESTMENT?

ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE SCALE OF THE BUDGET, $5 MILLION IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF HOW MUCH THE STATE SPEND, PROBABLY NOT MUCH.

>> THEY ASK FOR $5 MILLION THIS YEAR.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR.

ATHLETES DON'T COMMIT FOR FIVE YEARS.

DILLON GABRIEL, BIDDING HIMSELF TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

ONE OF YOUR CALLERS TALKED ABOUT IS THERE A BETTER OPTION?

ATHLETICS IS ONE OF THE FEW PROGRAMS ON THE U.H.

CATCH CAMPT CAN GENERATE MONEY.

YOUR ENGLISH PROGRAM CAN'T GENERATES MONEY.

ATHLETICS CAN.

I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MATT ELLIOTT TO ENCOURAGE HIM, WE HAVE TO GO WHERE NO ONE IS LOOKING AT.

IN ASIA.

AND IF WE LOOK AND TRY TO GET ATHLETES FROM ASIA, WE DEVELOP A FAN BASE AND WE'RE GOING TO GET CORPORATE MONEY FROM ASIA.

THAT IS A BETTER PLAN.

ATHLETICS IS ALL ABOUT COMING YOU WITH A WINNING STRATEGY.

THIS IDEA OF PANHANDLING TO TAXPAYERS EVERY YEAR IS NOT A WINNING STRAT GIT.

COME UP WITH A GAME PLAN THAT HELPS MATT AND HIS TEAM TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT AND BRING IN MONIES FROM PLACES THAT NOBODY ELSE IN AMERICA IS LOOKING AT.

THERE ARE 365 D I PROGRAM IN AMERICA.

U.H.

IS NOT GOING TO GET A BIGGER SLICE.

NO ONE IS LOOKING AT ASIA.

WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ASIA.

>> I THINK TO BRING IN QUESTIONS FOR COACH BROWN HERE.

THERE'S TWO THAT I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO RESPOND TO.

IF FUNDS FOR ATHLETE COME FROM TAXPAYERS AND STRUS CAN -- STUDS CAN LEAVE, THEY CAN LEAVE.

QUESTION FOR COACH BROWN.

DIRECTLY, MIKE IN MAKIKI SAYS IF YOU WERE PLAYING TODAY, WOULD YOU GO TO U.H.

OR ANOTHER SCHOOL WHERE YOU COULD GO TO MORE MONEY?

>> NO.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO BE DEVELOPED?

WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO BE COACHED?

IF YOUR DREAM IS TO PLAY IN THE NFL, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO ACHIEVE THAT?

WHEN YOU BE A PART OF THE FOOTBALL TEAM, YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THE FAMILY.

YES, THERE ARE PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT WILL PAY $1 MILLION, $2 MILLION, $3 MILLION.

THAT'S NOT A LOT OF PLAYERS.

IT'S NOT THOUSANDS OF PLAYERS THAT'S HAPPENING TO.

IT'S VERY, VERY FEW GUYS THAT ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THAT KIND OF MONEY.

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, I WANT TO GO WHERE I'M GOING TO GET COACHED, WHERE I'M GOING TO LEARN AND BE THE BEST I CAN POSSIBLY BE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING AS COACHES.

TRYING TO GET TO THE NFL.

NO MATTER WHAT, EVEN IF THEY MADE 6 FIGURES IN N.I.L., THAT'S NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT THEY WOULD MAKE IN THE NFL.

THAT'S WHAT OUR GOAL IS, GET TO THE NFL.

OIL WAY THAT HAPPENS IS BEING SEEN, DEVELOPED.

THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN AS COACHES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE GARRET.

>> I AGREE WITH SENATOR.

IF 9 UNIVERSITY CAME WITH US YEAR OF A YEAR, IT WOULD BE A TOUGH SELL FOR MYSELF AND OTHER COLLEGES.

MATT HAS BEEN DOING THE BEST HE CAN WITH PRIVATE FUNDRAISINGS.

WE TALKED TO JERSEY PATCHES.

FREEDOMPREMIUM SEATS, LICENSE FS INCREASE STUDENT FEES.

THE REASON I SUPPORT THIS NOW IS A ONE-TIME INVESTMENT BECAUSE OF THE TIMING.

JOINING THE MOUNTAIN WEST FULL TIME.

THIS PROGRAM WENT INTO EFFECT JULY OF LAST YEAR.

UNIVERSITY HAS NOT HAD A LOT OF TIME TO ADAPT TO THIS.

AS WE ENTER THE IN YOU FISCAL YEAR, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE START OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

MOUNTAIN WEST IS NOT A POWER FOUR SCHOOL.

IT IS ONE LEVEL BELOW.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE START OFF STRONG.

5 MILLION -- THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, IT'S A REMAIN ASK.

>> I HAVE QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.

IS THIS A ONE-TIME ASK?

>> WE'VE ASK FOR $5 MILLION ANNUALLY.

8 THIS SPECIFIC ASK IS FOR THIS ONE YEAR.

THIS IS WHAT WE THINK IS NECESSARY FOR US TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE '26-27 YEAR.

THIS WILL GIVE US THE FOUNDATION TO SUSTAIN THE PLAYERS.

>> IT DOES SPEAK TO YOUR POINT.

5 MILLION-DOLLAR THIS YEAR AND PERHAPS FIVE AND TEN NEXT YEAR AND AFTER THAT.

>> IT IS TOTALLY UNSUSTAINABLE.

WHO IS THE MOST MAR ETABLE PLAYER LAST YEAR?

KANSEI MATSUZAWA.

HIS STORY WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

HE TAUGHT HIMSELF HOW TO KICK.

I COMPELLED MATT ELLIOTT, WE SHOULD PUT HIS NAME IN CONFIRMANJI.

TO THEIR CREDIT THEY DID THAT.

THEY COULDN'T PRINT ENOUGH SHIRTS TO SELL.

KANSEI MADE MONEY.

JAPANESE FLAGS SHOWED UP AT FOOTBALL GAMES.

I'VE NEVER SEEN JAPANESE FLAGS BEFORE.

ONE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER COME COME- CULTIVATED THAT.

BRING IN TOP OF JAPANESE AND TAIWAN'S BEST PLAYERS.

FROM THERE, VOLLEYBALL, SOCCER, GOLF.

MAYBE NOT AMERICAN FOOTBALL, BUT BASEBALL AND THESE GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES CAN HELP PAY FOR WHAT COACH BROWN -- WANTS TO SEE ON HIS ROSTER.

>> HOW IT WORK, DANIEL SAYING WHICH ATHLETES WILL GET HOW MUCH?

WHO DECIDES -- ASH ERIC IN KAIL, WHO DECIDING HOW MUCH?

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA TO DETERMINE WHO?

HOW THE FUNDINGS WORKS.

$5 MILLION OVERALL.

SOME TO VOLLEYBALL, SOME TO BASEBALL, SOME TO FOOTBALL.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE?

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH STUDENT ATHLETES GETS WHAT AMOUNT?

>> TO DIFFICULTY IT AMONG THE TEAMS, WE LOOK AT WHICH TEAMS GENERATE REVENUE THROUGH TELEVISION, TICKETS SALES.

IF IT WAS $5 MILLION, WE TAKE A PORTION OF THAT.

HALF FOR THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM, FOR EXAMPLE, AND ALLOCATE THAT AS A BUDGET TO EACH HEAD COACH.

AND DISKREPTION OF THE HEAD COACH.

HOW MUCH CAN WE IN INVEST IN THE WIDE RECEIVERS, IN THE KICKER, PUNTER.

THAT WILL BE LEFT TO THE COACHES.

>> AND AS A COACH, HOW DO YOU DO THAT AND NOT CREATE A LOT OF TENSION WITHIN THE TEAM TO KNOW THIS GUY NEXT TO ME IS PLAYING TWICE AS MUCH?

YOU CAN IMAGINE IN THE TRADITIONAL WORKPLACE HOW MUCH RESENTIMENT THAT WOULD BREED?

>> THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, THERE'S KIND OF AN UNWRITTEN UNDERLYING JUST NUMBER AND CERTAIN GUYS MAKE CERTAIN THINGS.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES ARE GOING TO DO MAKE THIS CERTAIN AMOUNT.

QUARTERBACKS THIS CERTAIN AMOUNT.

WE KIND OF TAKE THAT FORTUNATELY PLA -- FORM LA AND THINK OF A SMALLER SCALE.

HOW HINGHOW WE CAN WORK WITH TH.

THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THERE'S SOMETHING THAT QUARTERBACK IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE GUY.

GUY WHO CATCH THE BALLS AND GUYS WHO MAKE THE TACKLES ARE GOING TO BE THE GUYS COMPARED TO THE YOUNG FRESHMAN TRYING TO COME UP AND MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE A QUESTION FROM SANDY.

HOW ARE OTHER PUBLIC COLLEGE PAYING ATHLETES?

ONLY THE LARGEST COLLEGES ARE PROFITABLE?

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

WE'RE NOT UNIQUE?

>> THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION.

THIS IS A BRAND NEW ROME ROLE FL STATES.

UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES HERE.

MARK CUBAN IS BANK ROLLING THE FOOTBALL TEAM.

CHALLENGE FOR US IS FIGURE OUT WHAT THE APPROPRIATE MODEL IS.

THERE ARE OTHER STATES THAT CONSIDER THIS STRAIGHT PREPARATION, NEW MEXICO IS ONE.

SPLITTED MONEY BETWEEN NEW MEXICO AND NEW MEXICO STATE.

>> THERE'S A PRACTICAL QUESTION HERE.

DIRECTOR ELLIOTT, WHAT'S THE LETTER OF THE LAW?

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

>> SO -- THEY RECEIVE THE MONEY DIRECTLY.

THEY'RE NOT EMPLOYED BY THE UNIVERSITY.

THERE ARE NO BENEFITS.

>> AS A SUPPORTER OF THE STADIUM, BOB FROM KANEOHE.

WHY ARE WE WILLING TO USE MONEY TO BUILD A STADIUM BUT NOT WILLING TO PAY ATHLETES THAT WILL BE FEATURED THERE?

>> LOOK AT THE STATE OF HAWAI'I.

WE'RE LAND RICH AND CASH POOR.

F THE FIGURE OUT HOW TO MOP TIES THAT KEY AS ED ASSET.

UNIVERSITY OF FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES.

IN THE OLD ALOHA STADIUM THEY HAD TO PAY NORTH OF $150,000 TO UTILIZE THE STADIUM.

CONCESSIONS WENT TO THE STADIUM.

PARKING.

WITH THIS SCENARIO, ALL OF THE TICKET SALES, TV RIGHTS AND CONCESSIONS ARE GOING TO GO MATT ELLIOTT AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I PROGRAM.

THAT STADIUM IS GOING TO BE A REAL GODSEND FOR GETTING MONIES FOR N.I.L.

AND OTHERWISE IN HOLDING UP THE U.H.

PROGRAM.

>> CAN I ADD TO THAT?

YOU RAISE A VERY GOOD POINT BUT IT PUTS THE CONTEXT OF WHY WE NEED THE N.I.L.

MONEY NOW IN THIS MOMENT.

WE'RE NOT GENERATING MONEY OUT OF THE STADIUM.

WE'RE LIMITED BECAUSE WE'RE ON CAMPUS, IN A TEMPORARY STADIUM.

CAN'T SELL THE NUMBER OF TICKETS THAT YOU WOULD IN A NORMAL STADIUM OF THE -- CAN'T DO THE CONCESSIONS AND PARKING.

THEY'RE THREE YEARS AWAY.

WHEN THAT HE STADIUM COME ONLINE, WE'LL HAVE A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO GENERATE MONEY.

FOR REASONS NOT WITHIN OUR CONTROL, WE DON'T HAVE REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES TODAY, AND HAVING THAT SUPPORT TO FUND THE N.I.L.

IS PART OF THE REASON WHY.

>> WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY WE NEED THAT YEAR OVER YEAR BUT NEED IT IN THIS MOMENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> BEN SAYS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL ONLY?

IF WE PAY ATHLETES ARE THE MEN ANDWOMEN AND WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL INCLUDED?

THERE ARE OTHER ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.

WE'RE FOCUSED ON FOOTBALL.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO MAKING THAT.

WAHINE VOLLEYBALL AND MEN'S IS SUCH A BIG PART OF OUR CULTURE.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH COACHES GET WHAT MONEY?

>> REFERRING TO FOOTBALL GETTING ABOUT TWO AND A HALF.

OTHER WOULD GO TO BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, VOLLEYBALL.

GENERATE THE MOST THROUGH TICKET SALES.

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT ATHLETES SHARING IN SOME N.I.L.

THAT'S HOW FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

>> IF THIS HAPPENING, HOW WILL THERE BE ACCOUNTANT?

DO THE ATHLETES SALARY OR PAYMENTS, ARE THEY PUBLIC?

>> NO.

IT'S NOT PUBLIC.

US AS COACHES HAVE TO EDUCATE THE PLAYERS, PUT THEM IN FRONT OF SOMEBODY WHO CAN HELP THEM WITH THEIR MONEY.

WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO SPEND IT.

THEY ARE GOING TO USE IT WISELY.

-- I SAY LIKE THIS, IF THE SCHOLARSHIP IS $1,600, AND THIS IS SMALLER SCALE.

IF IT'S $1,600 BUT RENT IN HAWAI'I IS $2,500, YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR CABLE.

IF YOU WANT CABLE AND YOU WANT TO BUY FOOD.

THAT BILL IS STARTING TO GET BIGGER.

TEACHING BOYS LET'S NOT BUY THE MOPED.

LET'S NOT BUY THE CAR.

USE IT WISELY SO YOU CAN LIVE PROPERLY AND USE THAT MONEY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR CAREER.

>> AND SO IT'S NOT DISCLOSED PUBLICLY HOW MUCH EACH STUDENT IS MAKING.

>> NO.

>> IF I CAN ADD TO THAT.

THAT'S WHY OUR BILL IS IMPORTANT.

WE DO -- STUDENT ATHLETES ARE NOT EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY.

EACH TEAM WOULD HAVE TO REPORT THE AGGREGATE.

HOW MUCH ATHLETES ARE GETTING PAID BUT NOT TO THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE ATTEMPT AND SENATE APPROACH.

SENATE BELIEVES -- THESE ARE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS SO PUBLIC DESERVES A RIGHT TO NOW.

IN THE COURSE OF HAVING HEARINGS, FEDERAL PRIVACY LAWS SO YOU CAN'T DISCLOSE WITHOUT THE STUDENTS' CONSENT.

IF THIS LINEBACKER IS MAKING $50,000, WE'RE INVITING OTHER PEOPLE TO POACH OUR ATHLETE.

WE DO HAVE A REQUIREMENT FOR TITLE IX, WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR THE UNIVERSITY TO ABIDE BY.

>> HOW DO WE MAKE SURE MONIES ARE DISTRIBUTED FAIRLY?

IS THIS SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE WOULD KEEP TRACK OF?

>> THIS GOES BACK TO THE TRANSPORTING REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

THEY WOULD REPORT TO US.

>> DIRECTOR ELLIOTT, IS THERE NOT ENOUGH PRIVATE MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF THIS?

IN AN IDEAL WORLD, YOU WOULD GO TO CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP?

>> IN AN IDEAL WORLD, YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERY DAY.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE NO PUBLIC FUNDING FOR N.I.L.. EVERY DOLLAR WE'RE COMMITTED WE'RE TRIES TO RACE.

THAT IS THE CHASE WE'RE UNDERGOING TO TRY TO MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS.

THE WAY THIS STARTED LAST FALL WHEN WE STARTED MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATURE, UNIVERSITY PRESENTING WHAT DO WE THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO BE COMPETITIVE.

AS WE LOOK AT OUR PEERSS IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST, WE SAID WE BELIEVE THE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT NEEDS APPROXIMATELY $5 MILLION NEXT YEAR FOR US TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND COMPETITIVE.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO HELP.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO RAISE DOLLARS EVERY DAY.

WE'RE EXPLORING SELLING JERSEY PATCHES.

IT WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE DOLLARS.

IF WE DON'T GET IT FROM THE STATE, THAT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL OBLIGATION TO GO OUT AND TRY TO DO IT.

MY CONCERN TO SENATOR WAKAI'S POINT, EXPECTATIONS ARE GOING TO KEEP GROWING.

IF WE HAVE TO PLAY CATCH UP, WE CAN'T RETAIN THE QUARTERBACK.

LESS SUCCESSFUL WE'LL BE AND OUR STATUS AS A D I WILL BE.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS WILL BE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION ONCE YOU HAVE THAT AS ED?

>> I BELIEVE OUR REVENUE WILL INCREASE ONCE WE HAVE THE STADIUM.

>> A QUESTION FROM RENEE IN KAILUA.

WHERE IS THE EXTRA MONEY TO KEEP MEDICAL STUDENT OR RESEARCH STUDENTS TO STAY FOR SCHOOL TO WORK ONCE THEY GRADUATE?

MANY ATHLETES ARE NOT HERE.

THERE ARE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE DOCTOR SHORTAGE HERE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO RENEE?

>> I SAY SHE'S RIGHT ON POINT.

WHAT DOES OUR COMMUNITY NEED?

TEACHERS, DOCTORS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMMUNITIES NEED A KID THAT NEEDS 60 YARDS?

HOW IS THAT HELPFUL TO SOCIETY?

ATHLETICS IS ABOUT ENTERTAIN.

WHEN WE PUT SIDE BY SIDE WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY NEED IN TERMS OF DEVELOPMENTS, SHARPER MINDS AND VAIR VARIOUS VOCATIONS.

PERSON WHO CAN HIT A BALL, WE SHOULD BE LEANING TOWARDS WHAT OUR SCHOOLS NEED, WHAT OUR HOSPITALS NEED.

IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 5 MILLION EXTRA MONEY, MAYBE PUT IT INTO JAB SOME.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO MATT ELLIOTT'S COMMENT TEAR.

SOME CHALLENGES WE FACE IS HAWAI'I'S ONE OF 14 STATES WITH NO FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES.

WE HAVE 1.4 MILLION VIEWERS.

TV DRIVES ATHLETICS.

WE WE'RE THE 70TH TV.

I GO BACK TO LOOK AT FERTILE FISHING GROUNDS WHICH IS ASIA.

NOBODY ON THE MAINLAND IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF ASIA.

>> CAN I SHARE SOMETHING?

THERE ARE OVER TWO HUNDRED UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I STUDENTS THIS ARE EMPLOYED OR DOING MENTORSHIP.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS WHO ARE GOING TO GO INTO THE MEDICAL FEED.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS WHO COULD BE DOING MEDIA JOBS IN THE FUTURE.

PERHAPS DOING MARKETING AND COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES, ET CETERA.

I WANT TO RESPOND TO YOUR POINT OF YES, OUR CITY STUDENT ATHLETY NOT BE PROFESSIONAL IN HAWAI'I.

THEY'LL GO ON AND PURSUE CAREERS THAT ARE DIVERSE.

WE'RE TAKING 200 CURRENT STUDENTS NOT AS ATHLETES BUT TO DO PROFESSIONS AND BE IN SPACES THEY WANT.

THEY'RE SETTING THEMSELVES UP FOR THE FUTURE.

THAT BENEFITS THE 9 STATE.

>> DO THEY DESERVE N.I.L.

MONEY?

>> N.I.L.

IS WHAT KEEPS US COMPET COMPETITIVE IN COLLEGE SPORT.

>> COACH, I WOULD LOVE YOU TO RESPOND.

VALUE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE BEYOND THE FIELD.

THESE CAN BE GREAT ROLE MODELS OF THE CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> YEAH.

THEY'RE ON SUCH A BIG PLATFORM.

THEIR VOICE GOES A LONG WAY.

WHEN THEY'RE OUT THERE, PEOPLE LISTEN.

WHEN THEY'RE GETTING IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT.

WHEN THEY FIND JOBS, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE HARD FOR PEOPLE TO FIND JOBBINGS.

THEY'RE GOING TO REPRESENT THEM FROM FOOTBALL AND ALL ATHLETIC SPORTS.

IT'S IMPORT TO DEVELOP THESE GUYS.

HAVE THEM BECOME THESE FULL CITY ATHLETES THAT ONCE THEY'RE DONE PLAYING, MAKE SOMETHING OF THEMSELVES AND REPRESENT THE FOOTBALL TEAM AND ATHLETICS 9 RIGHT WAY.

>> DIRECTOR ELLIOTT, 578 AMBASSS FOR HAWAI'I.

>> NO MATTER WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS WORLD, AS MANY DIFFERENT POLITICAL OPINIONS, NO MATTER WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD, SPORTS IS A PLACE WE CAN COME TOTED.

TOGETHER.

IT'S OUR UNIVERSITY.

OUR TEAM.

THERE ARE NO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HERE.

THIS IS WHAT EVERYBODY RALLIES AROUND.

WHEN WE SEE SUCCESSFUL, WHEN WE SEE OUR STATE ON TELEVISION, MEN'S VOLLEYBALL, FOR EXAMPLE, IT UNITES THE ENTIRE PLACE.

IN MY MIND, I'M BIAS THE, IT WOULD BE SUCH A LOSS FOR THIS STATE IF WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO IT AT THAT LEVEL.

>> A PRACTICAL QUESTION FROM ZACK IN KONA.

IF WE'RE MOVING TO PAY STUDENT ATHLETES WITH TAXPAYER MONEY, WHY CAN'T WE SIGN THEM TO CONTRACTS TO KEEP THEM HERE?

>> WE'RE SIGNENING ONE-YEAR CONTRACTS NOW.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR IN N.I.L.

WE'RE SEEING A TRANSITION IN OTHER CONFERENCES.

WHERE THEY'RE MOVING INTO LONGER TERM CONTRACTS AND WITH ELEMENT BUYOUTS AND PENALTIES IF STUDENTS TRY TO GET OUT.

WE'VE SEEN A COUPLE OF NATIONAL CASES.

WE'RE GOING TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.

>> IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD WANT?

>> YEAH.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE -- OUR CONTRACTS ARE NOT BIGGEST ENOUGH BUT DOWN THE ROAD THAT'S THE BALANCED RELATIONSHIP.

>> WOULD THAT MAKE YOU MORE COMFORTABLE SPENDING THIS MONEY?

IN PRINCIPLE OPPOSED TO THIS USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS?

>> I'LL I'LL I'M OPPOSED.

IT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DO USE HAWAI'I AS A STEPPING STONE.

THERE'S NO LONGEVITY.

COACH BROWN IS GOING TO HAVE TO BACKFILL.

IT'S -- >> THAT'S NOT NOT NECESSARILY T. WE WERE ABLE TO RETAIN ALMOST 99% OF OUR FOOTBALL TEAM.

ONE ACTUALLY LEFT FOR A VERY, VERY BIG CONTRACT.

OTHER THAN, BOYS STAYED.

THEY BELIEVE IN OUR PROGRAM.

THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THIS FAMILY.

NOT BECAUSE OF THE MONEY.

WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN AS A PROGRAM.

BUT, BUT WE GOT TO HELP THESE GUYS.

WE HAVE TO BECAUSE IT'S ONLY SO LONG THEY CAN STICK AROUND UNTIL SOMEBODY PUTS SOMETHING ON THE STAGE.

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HELP US, WE'RE GINGS.

>> THERE'S A QUESTION.

REPRESENTATIVE WHY CAN'T THE STATE GIVE BUSINESSES TAX BREAKS INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS?

>> THAT'S A NOVEL IDEA.

SOMETHING WE CAN CONSIDER.

A LITTLE TOO LATE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR.

IF WE HAD THAT DONOR BASE, THAT WOULD BE IDEAL.

WE ARE WHO WE ARE.

A LOT OF US ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS.

WHEN COACH BROWN WAS PLAYING, IT WAS SCHOLARSHIP.

NOW WE HAVE COLLEGE ATHLETES FREE AGENTS YEAR OF A YEAR.

ONE PLAYER HE TALKED ABOUT STARTED AT STANFORD, CAME TO U.H.

AND NOW AT LSU.

A BASKETBALL PLAYER SIGNED WITH TEXAS A AND A&M.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO TRY TO ADD SOME SANTI.

SANITY.

ONLY A ONE-TIME TRANSFER.

I DON'T WANT TO CALL THESE ATHLETES MERCENARY BUT SOME CHASE THE HIGHEST DOLLAR.

THIS GOES BACK TO COACH BROWN AND TIMMY.

FOCUS ON CULTURE.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BLOW IT ON ONE PLAYER.

HOW LIKELY IS THIS PLAYER GOING TO STAY ALL FOUR YEARS?

IS THIS A MATTER OF PERSONAL PRIDE?

THESE ARE THINGS I KNOW COACHES THINK ABOUT TO INSTILL PRIDE AND BRING PLAYERS WHO WANT TO WEAR THAT THAT H.

>> DIRECTOR ELLIOTT, A LOT OF US YOU UNCOMFORTABLE WITH SOMEONE TRANSFERS FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL.

YOU CAN'T BE BROG BEGRUDGE THESG PEOPLE.

EVEN WITH THE $5 MILLION,S IT MAKES U.H.

MORE COMPETITIVE BUT NOT COMPARED TO A LOT OF SCHOOLS.

>> THAT'S WHY I DON'T SPEND MY TIME THINKING ABOUT THE SEC OR BIG 10.

IT DOESN'T MATTER TOO MUCH TO US.

OUR GOAL IS BE THE MARQUIS GOAL IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST.

TO THAT END WHAT COACH DESCRIBED IS THAT 90 TO 95% OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES ARE AT THIS LEVEL.

THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE RECRUITED TO PLAY OF THE SURE, THERE'S GOING TO BE MOMENTS STUDENTS HAVE AN UNBELIEVABLE SEASON OF WITH THE FUNDING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BASED ON MARKET ASSESSMENT, THAT'S WHAT WE CAN DO.

WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE WITH LESS IN HAWAI'I.

PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT.

PEOPLE CARE.

IT SHOWED IT TIME AFTER TIME IN CONVERSATIONS THESE COACHES ARE HAVING.

NOT JUST IN FOOTBALL OF THE ALSO IN VOLLEYBALL AND OTHER SPORTS.

STUDENTS WANT TO STAY HERE.

>> AN E-MAIL SAYS I DON'T AGREE WITH USING TAX MONEY.

USE THAT TO IN INVEST INTO ATHLETIC FACILITY.

WE NEED TO FIND PRIVATE N.I.L.

DONORS.

YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH TAXPAYERS TO FUND THIS UNIVERSITY BUT NOT THIS THIS WAY.

WHAT IF MONEY IS USED TO IMPROVE THE FA FACILITY IN IS IT OKAY?

>> YES.

THERE'S ACCOUNTANT.

NO ONE AT THIS STAGE CAN TABLE F WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE N.I.L.

DEEMS SECRET, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE WILL APPRECIATE THAT.

I CAN'T THINK OF ONE PROFESSIONAL TEAM IN AMERICA THAT USES TAXPAYER MONEY TO MEET THEIR PAYROLL.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A BAD PRESS DEPARTMENT IF WE USE PUBLIC FUNDS.

>> HOW LIKELY IS THIS TO PASS?

>> WELL SEE IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS GET PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS WE'RE THE ONLY UNIVERSITY THAT FUNDS VIA LINE ITEM BUDGET.

SO LIKE A UCLA WHERE MATT WAS PRIOR, CALIFORNIA CAN GIVE THEM AN EXTRA $50 MILLION AND SAY DO WHAT YOU WANT.

FTE, EVERY JOB IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S PART OF THE UNIQUENESS OF WHY THEY HAD TO ASK.

A LOT OF STATE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE SENSE.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS ARE NOT MONEY MAKING.

THERE ARE BENEFITS YOU CAN'T QUANTIFY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT U.H.

AS A PRISM OF ATHLETICS.

WATCHING THE GAME IN FRONT OF A FIREPLACE HAS VALUE.

IT DOES DRIVE ENROLLMENT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT VALUE?

FAMILY IN IN THE MIDWEST OF THE THAT IS A BENEFIT WE GET.

DO YOU DISAGREE?

>> I TOTALLY AGREE.

MORE WE SHOWCASE HAWAI'I, IT BENEFITS TOURISM.

THAT IS APPLES AND ORANGES IN TERMS OF HOW WE ARE PRUDENTLY ALLOCATE FUNDS.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN PAYING THREATS WITH FUNDS.

>> D 1 COACHES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEE THEIR COACHES FOR A BIGGER PAY DAY.

THEY TRANSFER TO GET AS MUCH MONEY IN COLLEGE.

ONE AND DONE ATHLETE IS REAL.

HOW DO WE INSTILL LOYALTY WHEN MONEY TALKS?

>> BUILDING CULTURE.

HAVING A GOOD BUY-IN.

CONSTANTLY BUILDING THE TEAM EVERY DAY AND MAKING THEM FEEL LIKE THEY'RE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL.

IT'S SO MUCH WORK FOR US COACHES.

THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

DAY IN, DAY OUT POURING LOVE INTO THESE PLAYERS.

TEACHING THEM HOW TO PLAY THE GAME AND SOMETHING THAT WILL LAST FOREVER.

THEY'LL BE PROUD TO WEAR THE H FOR 9 REST OF THEIR LIFE.

>> Lauren: WITHOUT THIS MONEY?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE VERY, VERY, VERY HARD TO WIN.

IT'S WHAT THE LANDSCAPE IS?

I DON'T AGREE WITH N.I.L.

TOO.

I CAME FROM AN ERA IN MY LIFE WHERE IT WAS ABOUT LOYALTY.

PLAYING FOR THE STATE OF HAWAI'I.

THIS IS THE TRUTH OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE URNS OF URNINGS.

WE HAVE TO HELP THESE GUYS OR WE'RE GOING TO LOSING THEM.

MATT IS SAYING, IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED NOW.

SO WE CAN BUILD FOR LATER OF THE SENATOR IS SAYING NO.

NOT SOMETHING WE CAN SUSTAIN.

I KNOW HOW HAWAI'I IS.

WE WIN, EVERYBODY'S GOING TO COME AND SUPPORT.

WE GOT TO KEEP THIS THING GOING.

WE STARTED SUCCESS GREAT.

TOOK US FIVE YEARS TO BUILD OF THE WE HAVE THE RIGHT COACHES AND CULTURE.

WE GOT TO BUILD IT.

WE NEED THAT BRIDGE TO KEEP EVERYBODY TOGETHER.

>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS WE'RE AT AN INFLECTION POINT.

DO YOU AGREE?

>> IT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS A BRANDED BRAND NEW ERA.

>> EMMA IN KANEOHE HAS A COUNTRY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FOREIGN ATHLETES.

IT DOES SEEM STRANGE TO PAY ATHLETES WHO WILL LIKELY MOVE BACK TO THEIR FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

THERE IS DISCOMFORT FOR PUTTING RESOURCES WHO AREN'T HERE AND WHO WON'T NECESSARILY STAY.

>> PART OF THE INVESTMENT IS IN THE STUDENT ATHLETE THAT WILL STAY.

ANOTHER PART IS INVESTS IN TEAMS TO BE COMPETITIVE.

WE WANT TO GIVE COACHES RESOURCES TO BUILD A ROUGHINGER THAT WILL GIVE US A CHANCE TO BE COMPETITIVE.

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS COP PRICED OF PLAYERS FROM ALL OVER 9 WORLD, IF COACH DIDN'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY, WE SAID NO, YOUR RECRUITING BASE IS SMALLER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE YOU'RE COMPETING AGAINST.

>> CAN THIS TOPIC BE PUT ON THE BAL LOT FOR TAXPAYERS TO VOTE ON FROM BILL IN KAILUA.

VOTER INITIATIVE, THERE ARE THINGS PEOPLE LIKE TO VOTE IN?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF USING HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS TO PAY FOR STUDENT ATHLETES.

>> IT'S A VALID PERSPECTIVE.

THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF INTEREST.

I GO BACK TO THIS BEING AN APPROACH INVESTMENT.

HUMAN NATURE IS YOU'RE GOING TO BE INTERESTED WHEN THE TEAM IS WINNING AND DOING WELL.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW ALOHA STADIUM.

THERE'S A DIRECT NEXUS HOW COMPETITIVE WE ARE THE CONDITION QAWBT FIE THE BENEFITS.

>> STAN SAYS WHAT'S THE COST OF A FOUR-YEAR ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP?

I THINK THAT'S ADEQUATE ENOUGH?

>> IF YOU BREAK IT DOWN, IT COMING DOWN TO LIKE $1,600.

REPRESENTRENT IS $2,500.

IF STUDENT ATHLETES WANT TO GET SPORTS MASSAGES TO HELP THEIR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE, THAT'S ANOTHER HUNTER DOLLARS.

MAYBE TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS TO TAKE THEIR GIRLFRIEND OUT.

THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO BE SHORT.

IT'S THE TRUTH.

THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO LIVE COMFORTABLY.

WE'RE ASKING STUDENT ATHLETES TO WAKE UP AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING, GO TO MEETINGS AT 5:55 A.M., PRACTICE AT 7:00 A.M.

PRACTICE TWO AND A HALF HOURS.

GO TO SCHOOL ALL DAY, COME BACK, GO HOME AND DO HOME WORK FOR $1,600 A MONTH.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

KITSES NEED -- KIDS NEED MORE.

>> IF TOURISM STAND TO BENEFIT, INDUSTRY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS.

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY DOES SPONSOR A LOT OF ATHLETICS.

WHY CAN THEY NOT GIVE US MORE?

>> THEY ARE SUPPORTING US AND ARE ONE OF OUR BEST CORPORATE SPONSORS.

I THINK THEY'RE DOING LIKE WE'RE DOING.

CONSTANT CALCULATION AND HOW MUCH THE INVESTMENT IS WORTH AND WHAT THE RETURN IS.

I COME BACK TO THESE DOLLARS, EVEN IF IS TAXPAYERS DOLLARS, 9 INVESTMENT IS WORTH SO MUCH MORE IN TERMS OF WHAT COMES BACK TO THE STATE.

I'M NOT AN ECONOMIST BUT EVEN WHAT COACH DESCRIBEED, THOSE DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING TO THE STUDENT ATHLETE ARE SPENDING IT BACK INTO THE STATE.

PUTTING IT INTO RENT AND EXPENSES TO LIVE HERE.

NOT LIKE THOSE DOLLARS ARE GOING INTO THE BLACK HOLE.

>> CALLER SAYS LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS.

MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T BE A DIVISION I PROGRAM.

>> WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE A DIVISION I PROGRAM.

ONLY THING FOR US TO CHEER ABOUT IN THE STATE OF HAWAI'I IS U.H.

ATHLETICS.

BUT THIS DISCUSSION SEEMS TO BE USING TAXPAYERS MONEY IS THE ONLY WAY OUT.

WE PUT ON OUR THINKING CAPS AND FICK OUT HOW TO GET CORPORATE MONEY.

I GOT HTA TO GIVE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TO SEND THE U.H.

BASEBALL TEAM TO JAPAN.

U.H.

LICKED THEM.

I THOUGHT THE JAPANESE WOULD BE BETTER.

BECAUSE OF THAT GAME, U.H.

POACHED THE NUMBER ONE BASEBALL PLAYER FROM WASEDA.

6'5," THROWS 95 MILES AN HOUR.

HE IS GOING TO BE THE ACE OF THE TEAM.

PLAN OF LET'S GET ATHLETES.

AND MATT AND THE BASEBALL TEAM AND VOLLEYBALL TEAM STARTS BRINGING ATHLETES.

STREAM THE THE GAMES LIVE TO WHE THAT KIDS IS FROM.

WHAT SHOHEI DID TO THE DODGERS.

THEY HAVE NEW JAPANESE ADVERTISING.

IF WE HAVE A CLEAR STRATEGY GOING AFTER THE RIGHT MARKET, JAPAN, TIE TAIWAN, KOREA.

WE CAN GOAL MONEY.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE BANK OF AMERICA AND FORD TO INVEST IN U.H.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO WIN THAT GAME.

>> IS ASIA AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE?

>> PART OF THE SOLUTION.

WE'RE PURSUING REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES.

MEDIA RIGHTS, I THINK WE CAN DO MORE.

MORE TICKET SALES, PREMIUM SEATING.

BOTTOM LINE IS NONE OF THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW OUTLINING WHAT WE NEED FOR THIS PROGRAM TO REMAIN WHERE IT IS.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY FOLKS CALLING IN.

I LOVE IT.

THIS IS THE BEST PART OF THIS PROGRAM.

I WANT TO READ TWO.

?

SUMS IT UP.

I'M IN FAVOR OF USING TAX DOLLARS FOR N.I.L.

U.H.

ATHLETICS.

HELPS LIFT MORALE.

THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

LANI ABSOLUTELY NOT.

STATE INFRASTRUCTURE IS FALLING APART.

THIS IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

REPRESENTATIVE, HOW DO YOU BALANCE THOSE TWO?

I CAN SEE THE ARGUMENT ON BOTH SIDES.

>> AS I SAID EARLIER, THERE'S SO MANY UNMET NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE TO BALANCE ALL THESE COMPETING NEEDS.

WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO FOCUS ON HOUSING.

UNHOUSED IN HAWAI'I.

THIS IS ONE THING I THINK IS WORTH THE SMALL INVESTMENT WE ARE ASKING FOR.

IT'S NECESSARY.

IF WE DON'T DO THIS, I DON'T WANT TO BE AN ALARMIST BUT WE CAN ENTER A DEATH SPIRAL PHASE.

ATTENDANCE IS GOING TO GO DOWN.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO RESURFACE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

IT WOULD BE A TERRIBLE LOSS IN A SMALL TOWN LIKE HOURS.

POTENTIALLY ON THE HORIZON.

>> COACH, YOU LIVE HERE.

YOU SEE THE HOMELESS PROBLEM WE HAVE.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT TO PUSH BACK ON THAT ARGUMENT?

>> THINK ABOUT THIS.

HOW ABOUT CHRISTMAS EVE WHEN WE GO -- UNIVERSITY.

HAWAI'I FOOTBALL TEAM BEATS CAL.

SOMEBODY WHOSE N.I.L.

IS MORE.

HOW STATE OF HAWAI'I IS ON THE HIGH.

AND EVERYBODY'S HAPPY AND CHEERING FOR THEM 39 THERE'S A NEW ACCEPTS SENSE OF PRIDE.

YOU TURN ANYFIELDING YOU HAD.

YOU SMILE AND LAUGH.

THAT WAS AMAZING HOW THEY WON AND KEPT FIGHTING.

FIGHT TO THE END AND EVERYBODY WAS IN THIS TO THE END.

I'M TALKING THROUGH LAS VEGAS AND PEOPLE GO, COACH, GREAT GAME.

HOW PEOPLE, MILLIONS GOT TO WATCH THIS GAME.

HAWAI'I WAS PUT ON ON THE MAN.

-- MAP.

I UNDERSTAND THE HOMELESS, WE CAN GET TO THAT.

EVERYBODY NEEDS HELP.

STATE OF HAWAI'I NEEDS HELP.

HOW CAN WE LIFT THE STATE OF HAWAI'I?

BRING SOME JOY AND HAPPINESS TO THE STATE.

HOW ABOUT A WINNING FOOTBALL TEAM?

>> ONE IN SEVEN TELEVISIONS WAS WATCHING THIS.

>> WHAT'S MISSING IS I TOTALLY AGREE.

WE WERE ECSTATIC AFTER THAT HAWAI'I BOWL VICTORY?

BUT WHAT?

WHAT'S THE STRATEGY?

COMMUNITY EBB ENTHUSIASM AND WET THUD.

HAVE A GAME PLAN.

HERE'S THE MARKETING STRATEGY.

PLACES WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO.

WE HAVE THESE UPLIFTING MOMENTS AND NOTHING.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE SAY TAXPAYERS SAVE US.

WE GOT TO RETHINK THE WAY WE LOOK AT ATHLETICS.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT?

NOT FIVE MONTHS LATER PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN.

GOT TO HAVE A CLEAR STRATEGY ON HOW TO CREATE A LOYAL FAN BASE AND MOP TIES VICTORIES.

>> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

TO THE POINT ABOUT SLIPPERY SLOPE AND HOW WE PRIORITIZE OUR MONEY.

>> I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE.

WE HAVE A STRATEGY.

WE WORK ON IT EVERY DAY.

TO ENGAGE WITH CORPORATE SPONSORS AND EXPLAIN WHY THERE IS SO MUCH VALUE.

I'D BE HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN MORE DETAIL.

ON THE BROADER SENSE, THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO DO IN THE STATE AND TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE.

WE CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.

WE CAN FOCUS ON HOMELESSNESS AND SCHOOLS.

EARLY EDUCATION AND SUPPORTING OUR UNIVERSITY AND MAKING SURE THIS CONTINUES TO BE A PLACE OF EXLEN.

>> Lauren: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOU WHO CALLED AND WROTE IN.

SENATOR GLENN WAKAI AND UH ATHLETICS DIRECTOR MATT ELLIOTT.

AND REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT AND UH ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH CHRIS BROWN.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE'RE A STATE SURROUNDED BY WATER, BUT FAMILIARITY DOES NOT EQUAL SAFETY.

DROWNING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG HAWAI'I CHILDREN AGES 1 THROUGH 15.

WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT'S BEING DONE TO ADDRESS WATER SAFETY CONCERNS ACROSS THE STATE TO HELP PREVENT