The Hawaii Tourism Authority isn’t saying what it would do with the $5.15 million earmarked for the Pro Bowl if the game goes to Orlando, as expected, but it does not appear headed to the University of Hawaii.

The NFL has until May 31 to opt out of the final year of its contract with the HTA and reports paint Orlando as the likely site for at least 2017.

Bloomberg News and ESPN have reported the Pro Bowl is Orlando-bound for 2017. Florida Gov. Rick Scott, ‏@FLGovScott, has tweeted, “Welcome back to the best state in the nation, @NFL #ProBowl! Looking forward to hosting everyone in Orlando.”

Under terms of its contract, the HTA would pay the NFL $5 million plus $152,250 for operational expenses if the game is held in Hawaii.

In response to a question from Rep. Richard Onishi (D, South Hilo-Keaau-Honuapo) during a March hearing about how the HTA would redirect the $5.15 million if the Pro Bowl isn’t played here, an HTA spokesman said, “We have a plan for the use of the funds. We have an alternate plan.”

Asked this month what that plan might be — or if it would include funding for UH — the HTA said it was premature to comment.

“The NFL is not commenting on discussions about the 2017 Pro Bowl, and we respect their position and are following suit,” said Charlene Chan, HTA director of communications. “It’s premature to speculate otherwise.”

Several members of the Board of Regents have suggested in the past year that the HTA renew support of UH, which was granted $575,000 annually until 2013.

The urging came as a UH study last year said Manoa had $5.2 million in expenses “unique” to its geography and would, otherwise, operate in the black.

Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji has told legislators, “The Pro Bowl is kind of (a) sore subject for me. The (NFL) is a billion-dollar industry (and) we pay them $5 million to bring the game in. They bring in 20,000 people who spend X amount of dollars that we get X amount of tax dollars for. You know, that is a wash. We (UH) bring in 20,000 people (too). They get $5 million and we get nothing.”

Athletic director David Matlin has said he hopes to work with HTA on several future projects, including the Rainbow Warriors’ Aug. 27 game against California in Sydney, but has declined further comment.

The legislature this month passed a bill that, if signed by Gov. David Ige, would provide $3 million for Manoa and Hilo to divide.