Trip to pay dividends for Cal

School set to receive $1 million for game vs. Hawaii in Sydney

SANTA CLARA — Cal coach Sonny Dykes on Thursday extolled the benefits of opening the season in Australia, citing the cultural experience, the jump start on training camp and the team-building opportunities that come with a weeklong trip overseas.

“It’s a great bonding experience,” Dykes said during a Bay Area college football kickoff event at Levi’s Stadium.

But the Australian adventure carries significant financial benefits, as well.

Playing Hawaii in Sydney’s ANZ Stadium late next month will generate approximately $1 million more for Cal’s athletic department than a typical home game against a lower-level opponent.

That’s enough profit, for example, to cover the annual equipment, supplies and uniform costs for all of Cal’s Olympic sports.

Here’s how the numbers work:

A home football game against Sacramento State, Portland State or UC Davis generates a negligible profit. Ticket revenue is usually in the high six figures, but it’s largely offset by operating expenses and the whopping guarantee required by the opponent (more than $400,000).

But the paycheck Cal secured for playing in Sydney — well in excess of $1 million — will ensure a sevenfigure profit, compared to a home game, even when all expenses are factored into the calculation.

The game is Aug. 27 in Sydney. It will be televised live by ESPN, with a kickoff time of 7 p.m. (PDT) on Aug. 26.

San Jose State will be without one of its top playmakers this year.

Tyler Winston, the third-leading receiver in school history, is ineligible for the 2016 season because of academic reasons. Winston has 171 career catches and is a former Mountain West freshman of the year and all-conference selection. He missed the final month of last season because of a knee injury.

“He’ll be a great scout team receiver for us,” coach Ron Caragher said Thursday, noting that Winston is expected to participate in practice and be ready for the 2017 season.

The Spartans have several options to fill the hole created by Winston’s absence, including Tim Crawley (39 catches last season), third-down specialist Justin Holmes and USC transfer Rahshead Johnson.

The Spartans open training camp Aug. 5.

Stanford’s revamped defensive line will receive an immediate boost when camp begins Aug. 7.

Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips is ready for full contact work, coach David Shaw said Thursday at Levi’s Stadium.

Phillips was the Week 1 starter in the middle of the Cardinal line last year but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener at Northwestern.

Cal freshman receiver Greyson Bankhead suffered a lower-body injury while on vacation. His availability for training camp, which begins Monday, is unknown, Dykes said.

San Jose State is adding two graduate transfers: running back Deontae Cooper, who began his career at Washington, and Skylar Lacy, an offensive tackle from Louisville.

Because Lacy graduated in three years, he will have two seasons of eligibility with the Spartans.