Hawaii coach Gib Arnold could be the biggest winner of the Rainbow Warriors’ appearance in the postseason, with potential to realize as much as $356,000, if UH wins three games or more.

The Rainbow Warriors, who were an 11th-hour addition to the 32-team CIT after losing their opener of the Big West Conference tournament, will play the Air Force Academy (17-13) in a 7 p.m. Wednesday opening-round game of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center.

UH is 17-14 and, under terms of his 2011 contract, Arnold is guaranteed a one-year extension of his contract at his annual base salary of $344,000 if the ‘Bows "win at least 20 games, including conference tournament and postseason games …" during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

Without a rollover, Arnold will enter the third and final year of his current contract in July.

Arnold is to receive a $2,500 "participation" bonus for appearing in the CIT. He would have received $20,000 for an NCAA Tournament berth, $5,000 for the NIT or $2,500 for the CBI.

Arnold’s contract says he is to receive an additional $1,000 per victory in the CIT or CBI. But Arnold automatically qualifies for $12,000 because another provision in his contract says "bonuses for participation in postseason play are cumulative. If the total bonus paid for postseason play is not equal to $12,000 or more, then coach shall be paid $12,000."

Arnold has already qualified for at least an additional $12,000 in other regular-season bonuses.

Unlike the older, more prestigious NCAA and NIT events, the CIT and CBI are buy-in tournaments in that host teams are required to pay. UH said it will pay an estimated $65,000 to host the opening-round game, including a $35,000 fee to the CIT, approximately $20,000 for Air Force’s travel and about $10,000 in other game expenses.

If UH wins and hosts a second-round game, it could come with another $65,000 price tag.

UH athletic director Ben Jay said Arnold’s contract was not a motivation for playing in the CIT.

"This is more about (the players)," Jay said. "I think they would like the opportunity to play another game. That’s more paramount in my decision-making than anything else. If I’m going to be wrong about this, I’m going to side on the side of our student athletes."

Arnold did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Former UH coach Riley Wallace is chairman of the selection committee for the five-year-old tournament. He extended UH a bid in 2010-11, Arnold’s first season, and UH won its opening game before being ousted by San Francisco. UH hosted both games, and officials said if the ‘Bows win Wednesday, it is likely they will have the opportunity to host at least one more game.

UH said it paid $125,000 for its two-game appearance in 2011 and realized a $72,097 profit, drawing a combined attendance of 10,265.

This year, an invitation opened up for UH when some other teams the tournament was counting on secured NIT or CBI bids, leaving a dearth of teams in the West with winning records. Still, Wallace said the ‘Bows "have 17 wins and are deserving." He said the CIT is "good for programs with young teams and gives others a ‘last chance’ opportunity.

"It gets your school name out there during recruiting. It is good for players, fans and coaches."

Asked if Arnold had yet thanked him for the CIT invitation, Wallace said, "No, but I’m sure he will."

Jay said UH is in discussions with Oceanic Time Warner Cable about carrying the game if ticket sales hit 6,500, which is the estimated break-even point.

"We’re not going to televise this until ticket sales hit 6,500," Jay told the Star-Advertiser on Monday morning.

UH said it is offering a 50 percent discount on upper level, adult baseline seating at etickethawaii.com. Military discounts are also being offered. UH-Manoa students will get in free with ID cards.