Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

Sorry FM, we pay for that advertising as an additional expense.

The game telecast IS the advertising vehicle. There is no "additional expense" beyond the $4 million that the HTA pays the NFL for that. See June Jones' comment below.

Also, I doubt we get any unemployment compensation benefit for the part-time jobs created,

No, but at least some full-time jobs are created as a result of the Pro Bowl. Those jobs save the state in what it would otherwise pay in unemployment compensation.

In the meantime, those in the know begin to show their concern about the governor's leadership.

Star Advertiser (David Shapiro)

He possibly destroyed 30 years of good will the state has built with the NFL in an immature rant that attacked the league in harshly insulting terms and described the $4 million the state pays to host the Pro Bowl as a “bribe.”

Again he was poorly informed, claiming a weekend of visitor revenue from civil unions will bring in as much as the $28 million the Pro Bowl generates each year; in fact, a UCLA study said it could take four years for civil unions to produce that much.

Hawaii Free Press (Gene Ward)

For over 30 years, our state leaders have seen the Pro Bowl’s value. It has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars in stadium upgrades courtesy of the NFL and helped sustain the Stadium’s revenues, keeping it available for high school graduations and local sports events.

It has also attracted interest from other potential revenue generators such as ESPN soccer. That our current governor would criticize and belittle the benefits of investing just a little money in the private sector to bring nearly $30 million into our economy is shameful.

KHON 2 (June Jones)

“I don't disagree with what the governor said about maybe there are some other things (that need money), but you gotta see the big picture,” said Jones. “The big picture is the NFL has done a lot for a lot of people in this state and it goes unnoticed.”

Jones pointed to the league’s $1 million donation to help build the Youth Education Town center in Nanakuli as evidence of the NFL’s many contributions to the community.

Jones believes the economic benefits to the state may be even greater when you factor in national television exposure. According to the Fox Network January’s all star game at Aloha Stadium was watched by 13.4 million people nationwide.

“Just the fact that this is a state that depends on tourism, that four hours on national TV is second to none,” said Jones. “You can't even put a dollar figure on that.”

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

Nobody is denying the bennies and fun of the Pro Bowl, it's whether we/the State should be shelling out extortion $ to a megabux bunch that while it generates plenty of $ for local companys and is a fine tourist billboard it takes the 4mil out of the mouths of our kids/whatever at this critical crunch time and isn't directly replaced.

The NFL will do business with Hawaii as it would with or without us ponying up. They've shown their non-loyalty recently and will turn on us again, (almost) no matter how much we cough up.

[TuNnL]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

In the meantime, those in the know begin to show their concern about the governor's leadership.

Abercrombie should follow his own advice about dignity
By David Shapiro
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 15, 2011

He campaigned as the Great Listener, a mature and savvy leader who could hear out all sides, talk common sense and use his three decades of legislative experience to facilitate solutions to Hawaii’s most stubborn problems.

In his first six months in office, we’ve gotten none of the above. He seems to listen to nobody, talks trash more than consensus, is often ill-informed and was mostly ignored by legislators in writing the state budget ...

... He possibly destroyed 30 years of good will the state has built with the NFL in an immature rant that attacked the league in harshly insulting terms and described the $4 million the state pays to host the Pro Bowl as a “bribe.”

Again he was poorly informed, claiming a weekend of visitor revenue from civil unions will bring in as much as the $28 million the Pro Bowl generates each year; in fact, a UCLA study said it could take four years for civil unions to produce that much.

Incredibly, less than 48 hours later, Abercrombie has once again showed his vicious, overbearing vindictiveness with his latest “request” to the Aloha Stadium Authority. Because Authority chairman Kevin Chong Kee had the courage to voice his dissent on Neil’s misguided outburst regarding the “evil extortionist NFL” who the state would no longer allow to “bribe” for the Pro Bowl rights, Chong Kee and ALL of the stadium authority members are being asked to resign. Great job, Abercrombie. Show the Aloha State how you RULE it with an IRON FIST.

Stadium panel shown door
The governor wants members of the authority to resign for a “fresh start”

By Ferd Lewis
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 17, 2011

Members of the Aloha Stadium Authority said they were stunned to be asked for their resignations in letters this week from Gov. Neil Abercrombie...

...(Marcia) Klompus, who was Gov. Linda Lingle’s appointments administrator, said neither Lingle nor the previous governor, Ben Cayetano, had asked the authority for courtesy resignations upon taking office.

(Spokeswoman Donalyn) Dela Cruz said the governor’s request was not in response to authority Chairman Kevin Chong Kee’s criticism of Abercrombie’s opposition to the Pro Bowl last week.

Chong Kee declined comment Thursday.

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

As evidenced in today's news, NA wants to get rid of all con influence/obstruction in his plans. I heartily agree, get rid of them and focus on the remaining issues without interference. That's our best chance for a positive outcome. If Obama would have kicked the cons out of the way from day 1 we'd be far ahead now.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

Look at it this way if the state pays $4 million for whatever event and gets back only $3.07 million from it directly then one has to wonder what had to be cut to make up for that missing $93,000. I sort of see Abercrombie point in this.

I can see the point in that. Unless the state government is getting something back that's worth $4M, then it shouldn't be paid.

Really? He thinks that the civil union measure will generate more than $28 million in visitor spending in one weekend? Oyyy!!!

Oh yah, just throw gasoline on the file by involving civil unions. WTG NA.


I wonder what he's planning.....

A few thoughts:

Since the contract is up for negotiation, is this his opening salvo to keep the payments low?

Everyone knows that his Governership is supposed to be his swan song. When he's up for re-election, he'll be 76. Is he even planing for re-election? If he is, then he knows he doesn't have to be popular until end of 2013 or so. By then the economy may come back enough to help save him. If not, then he may already be in "lame duck" mode and shaping Hawaii to his vision - to hell with what everyone thinks.

Anyone know if Hawaii has provisions for recall election of a Governor?

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

Since the contract is up for negotiation, is this his opening salvo to keep the payments low?

The governor's speech was not intended as a negotiating tactic. If it was, then he wouldn't have hurled insults against the NFL owners, calling them "bribe" taking multi-millionaires and billionaires. Personal attacks are hardly the way towards finding a middle ground with the other party.

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

Personal attacks are hardly the way towards finding a middle ground with the other party.

It wasn't a personal attack, it was a harsh collective assessment, and he's not looking for middle ground. Sometimes the truth hurts, and works.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

It wasn't a personal attack, it was a harsh collective assessment,'

Whatever you want to call it, it was as I said before. It was an "insult" to the NFL owners.

and he's not looking for middle ground.

My point exactly. Abercrombie's speech wasn't part of a negotiating ploy.

Sometimes the truth hurts, and works.

Exactly what "worked?"

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

Whatever you want to call it, it was as I said before. It was an "insult" to the NFL owners.
My point exactly. Abercrombie's speech wasn't part of a negotiating ploy.
Exactly what "worked?"

They're big boys, it's business, and they know they've been getting away with murder. If they want to feel insulted, fine, but I'm betting they'll dry their crocodile tears and long
continue the PB in Hawaii in some form. This is more manufactured huhu amongst outsiders than the actual players in the money game.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

They're big boys, it's business, and they know they've been getting away with murder. If they want to feel insulted, fine, but I'm betting they'll dry their crocodile tears (snip)

Uhhh, ok. Whatever you say.

Feel like I'm talking to an Abercrumbie clone.

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

FM, if you don't have anything but snide shots to contribute as replys simply because you don't agree, why bother?

[TuNnL]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

he's not looking for middle ground.

My point exactly. Abercrombie's speech wasn't part of a negotiating ploy.

This is the bottom line. If Abercrombie was trying to reduce the amount the NFL charged, he surely could have been more tactful. Instead he unleashed venom, as if declaring war on the Pro Bowl. What an embarrassment to the Aloha State!

Sometimes the truth hurts, and works.

Exactly what "worked?"

I'm betting they'll dry their crocodile tears and long continue the PB in Hawai‘i in some form.

So in other words you’re “hoping” or “praying” that SOMETHING the governor did worked. Hopefully, he gets spanked by Inouye before we find out. What we need now, is damage control.

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

If Abercrombie was trying to reduce the amount the NFL charged

So in other words you’re “hoping” or “praying” that SOMETHING the governor did worked. Hopefully, he gets spanked by Inouye before we find out. What we need now, is damage control.

He's looking to ELIMINATE it.

The PB bribery issue is some kind of big damage?

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

FM, if you don't have anything but snide shots to contribute as replys simply because you don't agree, why bother?

You're right, Ron. I retract my statement about you sounding like a N.A. clone. Because when given the opportunity to re-state himself to KHON news:

he clarified to KHON2 that he believes the game should be kept in the islands.

"I think it's a great benefit, no question about that," said Governor Abercrombie.

His issue is that someone else should tackle the bill, and give the $4-million to kids.

Which goes contrary to:

He's looking to ELIMINATE it.

So yeah. You and the Governor are on different wavelengths on the matter.

If Abercrombie was trying to reduce the amount the NFL charged, he surely could have been more tactful. Instead he unleashed venom, as if declaring war on the Pro Bowl. What an embarrassment to the Aloha State!

Abercrumbie is entitled to his opinion that the private sector (rather than the state) should pay for the Pro Bowl. However, his tirade about the NFL owners being greedy bribe-takers is not being helpful at all to HTA and the local business community as far as negotiations with the NFL go. So why did he make it harder for those people who are actively working to keep the game here? No matter where one stands on the issue, this is clearly an example of POOR LEADERSHIP on the part of Abercrumbie.

[Walkoff Balk]

Re: Pro Bowl: Miami vs Hawaii

Did we create a munster from Abercrombie the Zombie?