By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai‘i will realize more than the thrill of participation from its NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearance on Friday. It has also assured itself and the Western Athletic Conference a steady postseason paycheck for the next six years.
Earning a place in the tournament is a financial gift that will keep on giving for the Rainbows — approximately $75,000 annually for the next six years — just off that one game, according to WAC officials.
"If Fresno had won the (WAC) tournament, we more than likely would have had only one team in the NCAA," said Karl Benson, WAC commissioner. "Hawai‘i winning the tournament adds a minimum of one unit over the next six years, which should be worth $700,000 to $800,000 (to the conference)."
The NCAA rewards conferences one pay unit per participating team for each game it plays — except the championship game — over a rolling six-year period.
If UH advances past Syracuse Friday, subsequent appearances would add additional units up to a maximum of five to the WAC piggy bank. The same holds true for Fresno State’s appearances.
The current unit value is approximately $100,000, which is expected to rise 20 percent to 30 percent next year, reflecting increased rights fees under the CBS television contract, WAC officials said.
WAC policy is to pay each participating team a one-year $25,000 bonus and divide the NCAA money equally among conference members in good standing. Texas Christian is leaving the WAC July 1, so it forfeits its share.
UH will receive approximately $450,000 this year as its share of past NCAA Tournament money through the WAC.
This year’s paycheck will be based upon units accumulated in the1995-2000 rolling period that included Utah’s 1998 championship game appearance and last year’s elite eight appearance by Tulsa.
UH and Fresno State’s appearances this season figure in the payout next year through 2007.
No money is awarded for appearances in the NCAA Women’s Tournament since it is not a profit-maker, conference officials said.
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