Fox Sports said it has already "put a stop to one" Sugar Bowl viewing party in Hawai'i where admission was to be charged and will continue to "discourage" the practice as the game approaches.

Fox will carry four of the five Bowl Championship Series games, including the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl matching the University of Hawai'i and Georgia.

Several groups have either talked about or announced plans to hold such parties.

"We want as many people as possible to watch the Sugar Bowl, it is just the instances where viewing parties are advertised using the logo and marks of the schools and admission is being charged that we want to discourage," said Dan Bell, a Fox spokesman.

Bell said, "our business affairs division has already put a stop to one of these." He would not name operators.

Creations in Catering's "Sugar Bowl 2008" at the Dole Ballrooms will change its name to what sales manager Aaron Haynes said will be a "more generic" title, eliminate the use of school logos and not charge an entry fee so as not to conflict with Fox's dictates after the network sent several cease and desist notices.

"Originally it seemed like they wanted us just to quit but that is not my intention to quit," Haynes said. "I don't want to fight them. We'll work within their parameters but not cancel my event."

Haynes said the event will feature at least one and possibly three large viewing screens and drinks and pupu will be sold. He said there is a $3 parking charge at the facility.

Bell said, "it is important for people to know that we have the full support of the University of Hawai'i and are within our rights."

"Our role is this is to provide information to the various entities in the community planning events so they can stay out in front with Fox and the (Bowl Championship Series) who are the rights holders," said John McNamara, UH associate athletic director.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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