The University of Hawaii football team will play before empty grandstands at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium this season, the school announced Sunday..
Citing restrictions on gatherings, UH said no fans will be permitted in the stands at home games.
The Rainbow Warriors open the home portion of their schedule Nov. 7 against New Mexico and are listed to play four games in Halawa.
“The university supports the county and state measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, ” said UH Athletics Director David Matlin said in a statement. “These are unprecedented times and we must take these types of unprecedented steps to protect our community. We look forward to bringing our loyal fans back to Aloha Stadium next season. The best way to support the football team and UH Athletics is watch the Warriors play on pay-per-view.”
UH said. “More than half of the Mountain West Conference schools will also play at home without fans including UH’s road games at Fresno State, San Diego State and San Jose State.”
UH’s Oct. 31 game at Wyoming will be limited to 7, 000 fans, a Wyoming spokesman said.
Six of UH’s eight overall games will be shown via pay-per-view on Spectrum while the CBS Sports Network and Fox Sports 1 will each carry one game.
Due to the possibility of games being impacted by COVID-19, pay-per-view this season will be sold on a game-by-game basis only, it was announced. The single game price for each of six offerings is $69.99. They will be available for order on Monday prior to each game.
Before the pandemic, games had been available on a discounted season-long pass, but a Spectrum spokeswoman said, “Individual game option provides the most flexibility and accommodates various circumstances that may arise during the shortened season, including the possibility that games could be canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.”
UH’s contract calls for the school to make a minimum of seven games available for PPV in order to receive the full $2, 915, 000 rights fee. A shortfall could deduct $400, 000, but Spectrum declined comment.
Robert Kekaula will again do play-by-play with former Rainbow Warrior player and coach Rich Miano as the in-game analyst. Studio programming will feature Rob DeMello, RJ Hollis, Nate Ilaoa and Kawika Hallums, Spectrum said.