Long-since bankrupt Aloha Bowl still lives in the court of law

It has been 17 years since the Aloha Bowl was last played here, but the long-since-bankrupt college football game lives on in the courts.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has given new life to a suit by Dane S. Field, trustee of the Aloha Sports bankruptcy estate, that alleged the NCAA engaged in unfair competitive practices in violation of the state’s antitrust statutes.

Last month, the court overturned a lower court ruling, opening the way for a jury trial in 2019 for a suit that has endured, in some form and at various levels, since 2005.

The estate is seeking more than $1 million in damages with which to pay off creditors. Because it is an antitrust case, any damages awarded would be trebled.

“The NCAA is disappointed by the decision and is reviewing its legal options,” Emily James, NCAA associate director of public and media relations, told the Star-Advertiser in an email.

Amy Brantley, who represents the Aloha Sports bankruptcy estate, said in an email, “The Hawaii Supreme Court’s decision clarified and reaffirmed prior case law interpreting Hawaii’s state law antitrust statute that was largely being misinterpreted by state and federal courts.”

Brantley added, “The decision is in line with the policy behind the remedial statute, which is broad and was enacted to prevent unfair competition. We couldn’t be happier with the decision and look forward to trial against the NCAA on Aloha Sports’ unfair method of competition claim.”

The Aloha Bowl, which began play in 1982, was Hawaii’s first NCAA-certified bowl game and enjoyed a 19-year run through 2000. It was started by Mackay Yanagisawa, who also owned and operated the Hula Bowl, but later went through a series of owners.

The game attracted some marquee football names to Aloha Stadium, including USC, Penn State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, UCLA, Washington and Stanford in its nearly two decades.

The 1989 game marked UH’s first NCAA bowl game appearance, a loss to Michigan State. The Aloha Bowl’s 1998 pairing with the Oahu Bowl was the first same-site bowl game doubleheader.

But after declining attendance the game was again sold and moved, becoming the Seattle Bowl in 2001 and ’02 when it matched teams from the Pac-10 and Atlantic Coast Conference.

The game was in the process of being sold to Pro Sports &Entertainment Inc. pending NCAA certification when Aloha Sports contended the NCAA de-certified the game and approached the prospective buyer and suggested it could be granted an initial certification under new management.

The NCAA said the game was de-certified due to late and non-payment of some debts.