Win or lose on the field in its season opener, the University of Hawaii football team figures to do well at the bank.

UH is projecting to net $407,522 from its Aug. 26 (Hawaii time) appearance against California in Australia, officials said Monday.

The inaugural Sydney College Football Cup will be played in the 83,500-seat ANZ Stadium, site of the 2000 Olympic Games. The game will be shown on ESPN.

If the financial projections hold up, it would be one of the largest paydays for a Rainbow Warriors road game. Athletic director David Matlin said the return “won’t be as high” as what UH realized from last year’s games at Ohio State and Wisconsin, but “will definitely be one of our better ones.”

Last year UH received a guarantee of $1.2 million to play at Ohio State and $1.1 million for the trip to Wisconsin, realizing more than $500,000 from each game after paying airfare, hotels, meals and ground transportation.

But those were three-day excursions involving 66 to 68 players plus coaches and staff, UH said. The Sydney trip will mark UH’s longest modern-day road trip in terms of both days (6.5) and mileage (more than 10,000 round trip) as well as largest traveling squad.

In days of ship travel, UH would sometimes spend a month or more away from Manoa.

For Sydney, UH plans to take all 105 players, the maximum NCAA-allowed squad size, in addition to coaches, medical staff, trainers, tutors, support staff and administrators for an official travel party numbering nearly 200.

Under terms of the contract with TLA Worldwide, UH is to receive a $750,000 guarantee and the promoter covers airfare and accommodations for “up to 200” people.

UH received payments of $187,500 in January and last month and is due the balance within 15 days of the completion of the game.

UH estimates its biggest expense, $156,853, will be for food with equipment transportation adding $70,000, ground costs totaling $50,000 and another $50,000 for miscellaneous contingent costs.

Cal, the “home” team for the game, is believed to have a guarantee well beyond that of UH. A Cal spokesmen would only say the school expects a seven- figure net from the game.

The Golden Bears gave up a Sept. 3 home game against South Dakota to take the Sydney game and reportedly paid the Coyotes a $500,000 buyout to get released from the contract.

BANKING ON SYDNEY

UH-projected finances for Cal game in Australia

REVENUE

Guaranteed revenue………………. $750,000

EXPENSES

Food and per diem………………… $156,853

Equipment transport…………….. $70,000

Ground expenses………………….. $50,000

Game tickets………………………… $15,625

Total expenses……………………… $292,478

Contingency………………………… $50,000

NET AFTER CONTINGENCY $407,522

Note: Promoter TLA Worldwide pays airfare and accommodations for “up to 200” people.

Source: UH