University of Hawaii athletic director Jim Donovan defended the school’s pay-per-view package to the Board of Regents in the face of ticket sales that declined in fiscal 2010.

An independent auditor’s report said the department’s revenue from ticket sales dropped by $283,000 from $7,191,000 in fiscal year 2009 to $6,908,000 in the fiscal year that concluded June 30.

In light of that and what they termed "flat" TV revenue, members of a regents committee on audits asked Donovan if PPV was to blame for keeping fans away from football and men’s basketball last season.

Donovan cited economic conditions in the state, plus the fact that both UH football and men’s basketball teams experienced down years in the fiscal year 2010 for the drop in ticket sales.

A more than 15 percent drop in PPV sales was reported in FY 2010 and sales of the season package plunged nearly 12 percent.

The audit showed local radio and TV revenue at $3,064,000 in FY 2009 and $2,835,000 in FY 2010, while football ticket sales produced $4.8 million in FY 2009 and $4.6 million in FY 2010.

This year, FY 2011, Donovan told the regents, "I know (PPV) sales are down double digits this year — I believe it is around 12-14 percent — so far through the first five games."

With the price of PPV raised again this year, Donovan said actual revenue from PPV sales is trending down about 10-12 percent. The price rose about $20 this year, with Oahu renewal subscribers paying $420.

UH’s football tickets issued average through five games at Aloha Stadium this season is 36,894. Last year at the same point it was 35,272.

UH receives a guarantee of $2.3 million each year for its local TV rights and a portion of additional sales at certain levels.