Bermuda Hogges owner Paul Scope admits he has reached his “financial pain threshold” having ploughed more than $500,000 of his own money into keeping the franchise afloat.Scope insists he’s no longer willing to bankroll the team and unless someone else starts ‘picking up the tab’ he could decide not to enter Hogges into next summer’s Premier Development League.He feels the bulk of that burden should be shared between the Bermuda Football Association and Government, and he has called for them to dig a little deeper into their own pockets to safeguard Hogges’ long-term future.“I get well paid for my busy day job but Hogges have cost more than 500,000 bucks over the five years,” said Scope.“I’m not independently wealthy, I’m not Roman Abramovich (Chelsea’s chairman) but I don’t regret a moment, or a dollar, because I think Hogges have established something that’s never been done before.“I’ve probably reached my financial pain threshold and I’m not looking to put more money into it, so somebody else has to step up whether it’s the Government, the BFA or private individuals. I do still feel the future is bright for the Hogges but we do need more contribution from others for it to continue.”Scope’s long held assertion that Hogges are integral to the development of the national team has arguably never carried more weight on the back of Bermuda’s impressive ongoing World Cup campaign.The Bermuda side that beat Trinidad and drew with Guyana at home last month was heavily Hogges flavoured, underscoring the franchise’s growing importance in preparing players for the international arena.But, although the BFA have had full control over team affairs for the past two seasons, their level of financial support has significantly reduced since their annual grant was slashed by Government in the last Budget by $250,000.And while Scope recognises the vital role the BFA perform both on and off the pitch, he feels they are getting a “ridiculous bargain” for their current investment.He also believes Hogges have helped raise Bermuda’s profile along the east coast hub the Island’s key tourism market and, as such, deserve a portion of Government funding.“There’s been very little Government help and although the BFA have been a tremendous help operationally over the past five years, financially their contribution is small compared to what I feel they are getting out of it,” he said.“They are getting 16 competitive games; a ridiculous bargain for what they are putting in considering what it would cost them to bring in the same amount of teams or go overseas to play.“We’ve spent more than $500,000 bringing teams down here so tourism has benefited. We’ve also spent money going to the US every year as the ‘Bermuda team’ having publicity in the target tourism areas of New York, New Jersey Boston, Austin and Pennsylvania.“We’ve been good ambassadors; the players have never been one bit of trouble and have represented Bermuda very well.”Although the entry deadline has passed for next season’s PDL, the United Soccer Leagues have granted Scope extra breathing space while he endeavours to drum up more funding.Since 2007, Hogges’ debut campaign, they have managed to reduce their annual budget from $500,000 to $250,000: a figure Scope remains optimistic of reaching with the help of the BFA, Government and corporate Bermuda.He has already received pledges of support from Aspen, XL and ACE and believes it would be a crying shame should the team be forced to miss a campaign for the want of a relatively small sum.“The USL want us to continue and they understand I need a commitment from the BFA before I can commit,” said Scope, who has forged a link between Hogges and Major League Soccer (MLS) side Toronto FC in a football development agreement.“I hope we can come to a landing within the next month in terms of what can be committed from both the BFA and the sponsors.“I’m holding back my commitment at the moment but I’m keeping the slot open to us and I’m hoping the BFA come through.“Last year I got caught out and committed too early because then Government cut the BFA’s grant so their commitment to me was greatly reduced.“I’m still optimistic as I can’t imagine as an Island we would let such a good thing go for such a relatively small amount of money, so I’m very optimistic.”Last season saw Hogges achieve their highest place finish in the USL, coming sixth in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.