NFL, HTA discuss Pro Bowl contract

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer

A representative of the National Football League said his organization is talking with the Hawai'i Tourism Authority about its contract to host the Pro Bowl, but the NFL is not required to renegotiate terms of the state's payments to hold the game in the Islands.

Jim Steeg, NFL senior vice president of special events, said the contract allows the parties to discuss an extension of the contract.

On Tuesday, Mark Rolfing, a former tourism authority board member who is assisting the authority in negotiating the NFL contract, told state lawmakers he would like to reduce the state's contribution to the last two games and get a sponsor to defray the cost. He said he is also discussing an extension of the contract beyond 2005.

The state will pay about $5.1 million to host the game on Feb. 2 at Aloha Stadium. The cost will rise to more than $5.8 million in 2005.

Steeg did not rule out talks on the state's payments in coming years, but said the NFL would like to take up other topics.

"We've got a number of issues we're looking for, too ... to make sure we're marketing the game properly," Steeg said.

The state agrees there are more benefits that can arise from the contract.

"There's so much more we can do to take advantage of the relationship," Rolfing said.

The NFL and authority representatives will meet Jan. 30 to finalize an agreement on the field turf installation after this year's Pro Bowl, then meet again on the Tuesday after the game to discuss the broader partnership between the NFL and the state.

"What we've found is that we have common goals and objectives that we've just never stated before," Steeg said. "We both want to do the same thing; we just haven't been able to connect the dots."

Steeg acknowledged that Hawai'i has undergone changes since the agreement was signed in 2000 and some adjustments may be in order.

"We've got a five-year agreement. Life doesn't stay the same in five years," Steeg said. "You've got a different director of HTA, you've got a different governor. The economy's different too."

But he said the NFL's agreement with ABC to televise the game does not allow for a title Pro Bowl sponsor.

Despite Steeg's comment, Rolfing was upbeat.

"My personal opinion is I wouldn't take that as an absolute no," Rolfing said.