The welcome news for the Islanders' front office was that it didn't have to foot the bill for the Blitz's airfare from California.

At last September's Arena Football League board of directors meeting, Islanders general manager Chris Dey was able to pass legislation that meant the team no longer had pay the airfare for visiting teams from the West Division. That will save the Islanders $250,000, Dey said.

The Islanders were the only team required to pay for opponents' airfares upon joining af2 in 2002.

"Originally, to bring Hawai'i into the league, owners were concerned about travel-related expenses," Dey said.

He said his case at the meeting was based upon comparing costs for teams traveling to Honolulu with teams traveling great distances to other cities throughout the Mainland.

"There's no difference (in cost)," said Dey, who added the proposal "passed with no opposition."

Bakersfield, San Diego and Central Valley (Fresno, Calif.) are division opponents who will each play two games here. For non-division opponents — Bossier-Shreveport (La.) last week and Louisville on July 17 — the Islanders are required to pay a "small stipend" toward their airfare, Dey said.

The savings in opponents' airfares was huge offseason news for the Islanders, who are projected to lose money for the third consecutive year, according to Dey.

"If you take a look at our operating budget, to save a quarter of a million dollars, that was a big boost for us," Dey said.

He added the team's financial losses have gone down each year and it hopes to break even on an annual basis by 2006.

Increasing revenue

The Islanders were voted the top marketing team in af2 last season, and they hope to continue the trend.

The Islanders Girls will play a larger role in helping to promote the franchise this season.

Dey said the eight-member cheer/dance squad, which has no holdovers from last season, will be featured on calendars, posters and DVDs. All items are in production and will be available at games and on the team's Web site by the third home game of the season May 22, according to Dey.

He also said he's in negotiations with Fox Sports Net West to feature half-hour shows featuring the Islanders Girls.

"Most good businesses are going to find a variety of services to promote themselves. It enhances what we're doing," Dey said. "We have a professional football team and we're building an entertainment product around that football team."

Other measures in place are the pre-game Meadow Gold Dairies Family FANFest and the Islanders Business Club.

The FANFest runs from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. in the Blaisdell parking lot before home games. The free event for kids features an inflatable replica arena football field, face painting, poster making and other activities. Meadow Gold and other sponsors purchase advertising at the event, which more than pays for itself.

The Islanders Business Club was formed so members can "make new contacts with other local business leaders in an environment that promotes networking and building relationships," according to the team's Web site.

Members receive many benefits, including opportunities to mingle before games and at outings.

The membership fee is $1,200 and about 50 individuals have joined, according to Dey.