The $400k, TV & Radio Rights

Dave Reardon writes that Herman Frazier acknowledged in an e-mail to June Jones in December that JJ wouldn't have to pay the $400k penalty if he left UH early. However, it seems it was never put in the contract. And to UH, that's what matters.

But while that may indicate Frazier was willing to let Jones go without a buyout, language in the contract indicates it doesn't meet the standard needed to change the deal.

According to paragraph 17.0 of the contract, "This Agreement contains all the terms between the parties and may be amended only in writing signed by both parties."

Leigh Steinberg tells Dave that JJ sacrificed a lot and tried to help UH financially while he was head coach. Frazier was not available for comment.

Ferd Lewis writes that while SMU could schedule a game at Hawaii under the "Hawaii exemption," allowing them an extra game during the regular season, they've told UH that their schedule is full for the next ten years. Nice.

In his column, Ferd Lewis writes SMU's "next ten years" answer has to do with the disputed $400k. But he offers what I think is an awesome solution to this problem.

Here's how you settle it. Square off at Aloha Stadium in a 2009 game with added incentive the kind of reality challenge college football has never seen:

If UH wins, Jones pays up at midfield after the game with one of those 5-foot cardboard checks. If SMU prevails, Jones gets to tear up the contract at midfield.

Think that would pack the stands and grab TV's attention?

Hell yeah. Why not? Seriously, I think it's a great idea. Have Michael Buffer do the intros! June would be all for it, I'm sure. I've never known a Texan to back down from a fight.

And Brian McInnis talks to Jim Donovan, who has an update on TV and radio contract negotiations.

"We have talked to the current contractor in radio and come to an agreement in principle," Donovan said. "But we don't want to sign anything, pending the television deal being completed."

While he wouldn't go into specific sticking points of the TV negotiations, some form of three-way contract extension with current rights-holder KHNL/KFVE and Oceanic Time Warner Cable (which provides Pay-Per-View service for football and other sports) is possible.