Schedule change could prove costly for ‘Bows

What was supposed to be a $25,000 payday for the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team has the appearance of becoming a $75,000 swing the other way while forcing the Rainbow Warriors to crisscross the country in the first three weeks of the season.

Instead of being paid to play at Washington State in December and coming home with some cash, the Rainbow Warriors are writing a $25,000 check to appear in the Nov. 24-26 Gulf Coast Showcase in Fort Myers, Fla., and will pay their own airfare and some other costs.

The bizarre and costly turn of events came about following the death of John A. Hines, owner and operator of Idol Sports & Entertainment Inc. of Gilbert, Ariz., who had contracted UH to play WSU in the Dec. 13 Cougar Hardwood Classic at Key Arena in Seattle.

"It is what it is," said UH athletic director Ben Jay, who said the timing "left us with few options."

Hines, 46, died Aug. 4, according to online obituaries, less than a month after signing UH to play the Cougars.

In addition, UH said, Idol Sports still owes UH $50,000 from its Nov. 16, 2013 appearance against Missouri at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.

UH officials did not say why the game with Washington State and another with Brigham Young, that could still go on, were contracted with Idol Sports despite the fact Idol was six months overdue on the Missouri payment when the WSU contract was executed.

"We are following up to see if we can expect payment for that Missouri game," said associate athletic director Carl Clapp.

There was no response by Idol Sports to calls and emails left at a number and email address listed for the company. Under its contract, Idol was to have paid UH the $50,000 "not later than 60 business days after the conclusion of the (Missouri) event."

Without Idol Sports, "Washington State University and Hawaii have come to a mutual agreement" to cancel the Dec. 13 game, WSU announced Monday. The Cougars said they will play at Santa Clara on Dec. 13.

A home-and-home series between UH and WSU that would have taken UH to Pullman in 2015 and brought WSU here in 2016 may also be a casualty of the Idol cancellation.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast Showcase is expected to announce Tuesday that UH will play San Francisco in Fort Myers in the Nov. 24 opening round of its eight-team tournament.

Under terms of a contract signed last week, UH will pay Global LLC, the organizer, a $25,000 participation fee. In addition UH will pay its own airfare and other costs except for hotel and bus. Early estimate peg that at approximately $25,000-$30,000.

The opening came about when UC Charlotte pulled out. The tournament also includes East Carolina, Evansville, Marist, Green Bay, Fresno State and Florida Gulf Coast.

UH is guaranteed four NCAA-exempt contests, including a Nov. 19 game with UH-Hilo in Honolulu.

Idol had also put together a Dec. 6 game between UH and Brigham Young to be played at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City. Under terms of the deal, UH was to be paid $45,000.

But there were indications that a replacement promoter had been found and the game will go on. BYU spokesmen did not immediately respond to questions, but the game is still listed on the school’s website.

If that game goes through, UH will open its basketball season with eight games in 13 days and will also have 10 games in 22 days.