University of Hawai'i athletic director Jim Donovan said yesterday he talked to the Pac-10 to inquire about "potential opportunities" for the school.

The Pac-10 has said it is looking "very seriously" at the possibility of expansion in the next year. The conference has not expanded since 1978 when it added Arizona and Arizona State from the Western Athletic Conference. But the Pac-10 enters TV rights negotiations next year and is considering creating its own network and is looking at expansion as a way to enhance its value.

Donovan said the call took place yesterday but declined to say who he talked to in inquiring about the expansion process or characterize the nature of the reception he received.

Jim Muldoon, associate commissioner of the Pac-10, said the process of possible expansion "is very preliminary." Muldoon said "We aren't focused of any specific schools and we haven't had any talks with any."

Donovan said, "I asked what process they would be looking at and they said it hadn't been determined at this point."

Donovan said he brought up, "some attributes the Pac-10 may want to look at."

Donovan said his talk with the Pac-10 was followed by discussions with the Hawai'i Tourism Authority on possible assistance.

"Mike McCartney and David Uchiyama of the HTA were able to see the potential value of a relationship like that," Donovan said.