There’s a bill making its way through the legislature to establish a commission that would promote sports tourism, investing millions of state taxpayer dollars. That’s part of what the Hawaii Tourism Authority does. But the HTA is on a losing streak, making it clear it’s time to give up the ball.

In recent months (after the HTA laid off and didn’t replace its sports specialist), the PGA Tournament of Champions on Maui lost its sponsor and the United States Womens National Soccer Team claimed the day before its scheduled match that the Aloha Stadium turf was dangerous, and canceled.

Also, time may have run out to strike a deal to host the Pro Bowl in 2017. Houston, site of the Super Bowl, wants it, and the NFL likes to consolidate the two games.

While some in Hawaii would say good riddance to the faux football game, it does make money and others see it as another example of why a sports commission is needed.

Senate Bill No. 2362 relating to the Hawaii Entertainment and Sports Authority is even more wide-ranging than what Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui and others first envisioned, with the addition of “entertainment.”

“Now more than ever we need a sports and entertainment authority,” said Mufi Hannemann, former Honolulu mayor and now president of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association. “It’s crazy the opportunities we continue to miss.”

Hannemann — who before he was mayor negotiated Pro Bowl deals for the state — has long advocated hosting an NFL preseason game during years when there is no Pro Bowl here.

“I really believe we could get a sellout,” he said. “But the state didn’t have anyone at the table (to react to Houston’s interest in the Pro Bowl).”

Tsutsui — the leader of the sports commission initiative — told us last December that an Oakland Raiders (who are sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines) and San Francisco 49ers preseason game had been in the works but the HTA nixed it because it would’ve been in August, which is prime time for hotel usage.

Senate Bill No. 83 is another one the HTA doesn’t like, because it would take $3 million from the special fund and gives it to the University of Hawaii in recognition of its athletic program’s contributions to the state’s tourism industry, and to defray its travel expenses.

When asked if UH Hilo’s athletic program would get any of the money, Sen. Jill Tokuda of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and author of the bill, said it is “not campus-specific.”

“It’s up to the UH administration to determine distribution of the funds, depending on the need,” Tokuda said.

The PacWest Conference, in which Brigham Young-Hawaii, Chaminade, Hawaii Hilo and Hawaii Pacific compete, received a one-time $20,000 grant from the HTA, commissioner Bob Hogue said, adding that the PacWest has non-profit status. The private schools also generate sports tourism dollars for Hawaii, but cannot receive state funding through a legislative bill, Tokuda said.

That’s another example of why a state sports commission is needed: flexibility.

“It shouldn’t be about politics,” said Mark Rolfing, who served on the initiative’s fact-finding committee. “It should be about what’s right for the state. I think everyone knows something should be done.”

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.