How to Save the PBA Tour

[Aslan]

I was thinking about this lately and have come up with an idea that might save the PBA.

First; history. The PBA was strong but as bowling interest, blue collar interest, company and church leagues, etc... started to diminish, bowling centers became less profitable, started falling by the wayside...The PBA also lost viewers and interest. In the 80s and 90s, the PBA tried to make their telecasts more exciting, but ultimately failed as the Tour went from being broadcast on network television to being broadcast by ESPN (cable). The PBA was again "rescued" a handful of years ago by some wealthy silicon valley guys and they had the idea that you "prop up" guys like PDW, Rash, Belmonte....and give them "personalities" and rivalries...sort of take a small page from pro wrestling and get people to follow these vibrant personalities...but this hasn't really worked either. They even developed crazy little games like obstacle courses and "The League" to try and re-invent the PBA...also didn't work.

So, here we are. Here's my summary proposition....followed by an explanation of WHY it would work.

First, I think saving "bowling" is a different topic. I've already said that to save bowling we have to start at the elementary school level and get kids away from Wii bowling and actually in alleys. It would be a long process...but it would be far more effective than trying to attract white collar folks to cosmic bowling using gourmet cuisine and fancy drinks.

So; to save the PBA...we do the following:
1) We'd keep the weekly show on ESPN for the first year to try the idea out. If it catches on, make a push to move back to ABC or NBC once the ratings are up.
2) No more "Tour"....it now starts as a USBC Masters type of tournament in January. As the months go by, the original field is reduced from over 100,000 of the nation's top bowlers, to a 64-bowler single elimination tournament that occurs later in the year.
3) To compete in this "New PBA" you must play in a USBC sanctioned league the prior year. Each USBC sanctioned center would have small tournaments of their top bowlers and each center could nominate TWO bowlers into the PBA field the following year.
4) Pros are not exempt. They must participate in a USBC sanctioned league in order to be eligible. The ONLY exemptions are for those who WIN the tournament each year.
5) The "draw" to all bowlers...isn't that they receive some meager $40,000/year salary and minor endorsements. The "draw" is that the winner gets 1.5 million, runner up gets a million...and in the first year...the prizes only get paid out to the top 8 players. The rest get nothing other than 15 minutes of fame. If the idea is successful...many players will get sponsorships from bowling supply companies and ball manufacturers and the prize pool will be expanded to pay higher prizes and pay more places. But it will always be top heavy.

So, how will this save the PBA?
1) It takes two successful models from the TV industry and combines them. The first is March Madness...without a doubt the most popular amateur tournament in sports. It feeds off that concept of cindarella stories. It also uses the model of reality television, which has dominated the networks in recent years.

The first part of the new PBA will be about stories. Initially it will follow former PBA pros that are now tossed aside and forced to "re-qualify"...and it will also follow amateur guys that are now pushed into a bigger spotlight.

As the year goes on, it becomes less about the stories (relaity TV side) and more about the cindarella stories or the Pros that are proving themselves. Much like The Bachelor or The Amazing Race...the audience is starting to "care" about certain participants and developing their "favorites".
2) The "top heavy" prize format will encourage players to "take that chance". Currently, most bowling tournaments pay very little....but pay a lot of spots. So people have to decided whether or not to participate based on the belief that if they pay $55, they will probably win $22...or get lucky and win $40,000. $40,000 isn't life changing money for many people...so it's not a big deal. Maybe they pay off a credit card, buy a car, or put it in a savings account for their kids college....but it's not "life changing". By dangling a couple million dollar prizes...and 6 prizes in the 100s of thousands range...you're offering people a chance to change their lives. For FREE!

How is the field chosen? Well, the field will include 2 USBC snactioned bowlers from each USBC sanctioned bowling center in the United States. The centers will be given leeway in HOW those bowlers are determined, but will be required to have a tournament the prior year (they can't just "pick two"). Whether they have an open tournament for all league bowlers or a "Top ten" tournament for their 10 highest average league bowlers...thats up to them. In January, two bowlers from each of the 40,000-70,000 USBC centers nationwide will start bowling in local, then regional, then state, then larger regional tournaments until those 100s of thousands are widdled down to 64 bowlers.

THIS is how you save the PBA. Telling PDW to be a "bad boy" or pushing 2-handed bowling or re-inventing the game by adding obstacles and WWF style introductions...those gimics aren't going to work. It's time to look at what DOES work...in other sports, in other tv programming, and do something truly different than what has been done in the past. PBA pros aren't ever going to be the draw...until bowling is more popular as a sport...and there's more money in it. Thoughts?

[mc_runner]

On it's own, not a bad idea - I like the thought of a true Open format with a more approachable entryway. There are some major, major hurdles with this though:

1. You'd be completely upending PBA membership, dues, tournament centers, etc. I see this as being an option if and only if the PBA goes belly up and has to completely reinvent itself.
2. What happens to the Pros who were previously making their living on tour? Sure, the idea of a 1.5 mil payout is nice - but when you have a true professional who's source of income IS the tour - and you're doing away with it - what's their incentive to bowl outside of this one event (or anyone's incentive to bowl professionally, for that matter)?

The biggest problem I see - this doesn't make bowling or the PBA more approachable or relatable to the general public or your average once a week league/house bowler - they aren't gonna be good enough to do this, and the folks who ARE are already invested enough in bowling that it won't draw a new audience. Outside of people who are already watching, I'm thinking most of the folks already won't really know outside of maybe in passing who a Sean Rash or Chris Barnes is. If they see an amateur up there on TV its great but chances are they still just see someone bowling.

^ That to me is what I think the biggest problem and challenge facing the PBA is. How do you make it more exciting? Approachable? Watchable? The broadcasts now seem to mostly be the same few pros, and the commentary is... eh. How about some backstory? Some video of an exciting qualifying round? How did bowler x make it through the week up to now to make it on TV?

Like I said though, I like the idea in itself. I think it has merit as a possibility on it's own though, outside of the PBA. A true US Open with a big prize. If you're able to pull something like this off, it might help the PBA and bowling as a "side effect".

[Mudpuppy]

I think the key to saving the PBA is to get grassroots interest. Problem is on a local level there is diminishing interest in bowling all together. The internet, electronics and a million other things are drawing people's attention. And a lot of it has to do with to bowl well you can't just show up to an alley, rent some shoes and throw a house ball. It takes effort. We live in a zero accountability entitled want everything for nothing iSociety. I have had some ideas on how to get more people interested but just never really did anything with them. One idea I had was to have a "fantasy" type of bowling league that is directly tied to the NFL. Your bowling team is one of the 32 NFL teams and follows the same schedule as the NFL. Bowl every Sunday with a bye week. Your scores end up being a win or loss against the other team. I have seen bowling leagues try to kind of capture this - like a NASCAR league where you get a free plastic ball and NASCAR bowling bag at the end of the league. Really wasn't an award winning idea. But it seems to me that even the best idea wouldn't fly - the bowlers who bowl in leagues today mainly are made up of traditional bowlers who like traditional leagues. They don't see the big picture of a dying sport. It is no different than motorcycles - the industry is dying a slow death. The average age of riders is 35-60. There really is no 18-34 getting involved like you would need to keep the tradition alive. But on a slightly different level with motorcycles - economics is a big reason - most 18-34 year olds can't afford to buy their own house let alone consider luxuries. And the perception of motorcycles are dangerous, etc. with the media saying you love the devil if you ride a 2 wheeled monster. And maybe on some level bowling is the same - the economics and the perception of bowling. If I owned a bowling alley I would seriously consider some kind of options to attract bowlers - old and new. If you went over the finances and see what a full house league pulls in every week maybe offering some incentives to the leagues would help bolster participation - like a free ball of choice to the winners of the league, or something of that nature. Your bowling fees include a free large pizza for every set of lanes. There are a million different options. I just think overall the sport is just way too short sighted.

[classygranny]

If anyone is interested, there is a Group on Facebook - Save the PBA. Anyone can join. There are some insights there, as well.

[Mudpuppy]

If anyone is interested, there is a Group on Facebook - Save the PBA. Anyone can join. There are some insights there, as well.

Interesting. Thanks. I will check it out.

[Aslan]

2. What happens to the Pros who were previously making their living on tour? Sure, the idea of a 1.5 mil payout is nice - but when you have a true professional who's source of income IS the tour - and you're doing away with it - what's their incentive to bowl outside of this one event (or anyone's incentive to bowl professionally, for that matter)?
Thats a common misperception. The pros don't make a living from bowling on the Tour. They make a living from the endorsements by the ball manufacturers and other bowling equipment manufacturers. Those that are not sponsored, only bowl in the PBA part time.

And under my plan, the top of the line bowlers will still get endorsed…and the more interest that is generated, the more endorsements. They could actually end up making more…not to mention the huge payment for those that finish top 4 that year.




^ That to me is what I think the biggest problem and challenge facing the PBA is. How do you make it more exciting?

I disagree. Every attempt the PBA has made to try and make bowling "more exciting" has failed miserably. We don't need obstacle courses or "The League" or "bad boys" like PDW. We need "stories"…underdogs.

[circlecity]

If Belmo and Rash traded punches that would help.. Might have actually gotten on sports center. :p

[mc_runner]

Thats a common misperception. The pros don't make a living from bowling on the Tour. They make a living from the endorsements by the ball manufacturers and other bowling equipment manufacturers. Those that are not sponsored, only bowl in the PBA part time.

And under my plan, the top of the line bowlers will still get endorsed…and the more interest that is generated, the more endorsements. They could actually end up making more…not to mention the huge payment for those that finish top 4 that year.


Bowling USED to have great sponsorships. Nowadays they really don't have that much - sure, they get free practice time and equipment from their manufacturer sponsor, but its not like they're being spokesmen for Subway here. This article is an interesting rundown:

http://priceonomics.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-professional-bowling/

Even if those amounts look decent, you have to figure in travel, entry, etc. Some of the exempt pros get a stipend of $800 for a tournament but that doesn't pay much more than the entry and maaayyybe a hotel.

To your second point, I think we are actually on the same page just approaching it from different points. I think the gimmicky stuff is dumb and hasn't resonated with the general public.

BUT - the challenge is to bring the interest back, how to make bowling exciting to your grandparents, high schooler, etc to watch. I don't really have an answer as to "how" - maybe get someone really relatable, an everyman who hangs out with the crowd during the event and doesn't act like a primadonna. Think Happy Gilmore or something. Like I said I think your idea has merit for sure, but not as a replacement to the whole tour - it could work in concert, perhaps. It would definitely take a large degree of planning and investment, though, which is tough to ask from a struggling organization.

I'm really not trying to be a downer here. I just really don't know how to "fix" the pro system without blowing out the whole organization (which realistically could spell the end of pro bowling and probably provide a really hard blow for the sport in general).

[Bunny]

It seems like it's getting a little better. Maybe there's hope!

We were bowling over the weekend and there was a birthday party happening. It was what looked like 8-10 year olds. They were ALL bowling two-handed. Boys and girls alike. The birthday girl had on a pink, super-frilly dress and was just ripping it!

I have to say I felt encouraged for the sport just then. Belmonte has inspired a generation of kids (and a lot of adults) to get more into bowling.

It honestly reminds me of why I took up tennis years ago. I saw Andre Agassi playing and was blown away. He made tennis look powerful and exciting the same way Belmo does for bowling. Andre definitely brought a lot of attention to the sport. I believe Tennis got a big boost when he came along. I hoping the same is true for bowling.

We watched A League of Ordinary Gentlemen a couple of weeks ago and boy did the PBA look like a mess. The head guy giving speeches, I can't remember his name right now, but he was a complete DB. Good luck if that guy is still around. I felt sorry for the players having to listen to it. There's a business to run obviously and those issues need to be addressed, but I personally think there are better ways to motivate and inspire people.

:)

[mc_runner]

Belmonte has inspired a generation of kids (and a lot of adults) to get more into bowling.

It honestly reminds me of why I took up tennis years ago. I saw Andre Agassi playing and was blown away. He made tennis look powerful and exciting the same way Belmo does for bowling. Andre definitely brought a lot of attention to the sport. I believe Tennis got a big boost when he came along. I hoping the same is true for bowling.


Agree 100%! He's a great asset for bowling. His online presence and fan interaction is really good/helping as well.

[Bunny]

Agree 100%! He's a great asset for bowling. His online presence and fan interaction is really good/helping as well.

He was really nice when we met him briefly a few months ago. Got a great vibe/energy from him.

I wonder if he realizes how many people he's inspired.

[Aslan]

Belmonte has inspired a generation of kids (and a lot of adults) to get more into bowling.
Ughhhhhh....

http://katieeemann.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/shame-on-you.jpg

I'm not even gonna bother. I'll wait till 2-handed bowling takes over before.....well, that'll never happen so I don't need to finish the sentence.


Bowling USED to have great sponsorships. Nowadays they really don't have that much
I said they sustain on endorsements, not get rich by them. As you pointed out, if a pro is living solely on what he nets from bowling...only 10-20 bowlers could afford it.

The endorsements make up a LOT of the difference. They pay for all the equipment, they usually will pay the tournament entry fees, and usually still give the bowler a "small" salary. It's not enough to live on like in the good ole days...but when it gets added to the tour winnings...then usually you can make a decent living.


Think Happy Gilmore or something.


If Belmo and Rash traded punches that would help.. Might have actually gotten on sports center. :p

There lies the problem. The PBA's new owners thought having PDW behave like a complete *** and having Belmo and Rash act like teenagers would make the sport exciting to a young audience...and it hasn't. And in the process, it's pushed the traditionalists away who view those antics as disrespectful to the game. Would an all-out brawl get ratings? Yup. But then what? Make brawls a weekly thing? Hockey tried that and it didn't work.

To grow the sport and to grow the PBA are entirely different topics...and people don't understand that. Both are necessary but are gotten to differently.

1) PBA needs the stories and the ratings like I proposed.
2) To save the SPORT...we need influx of kids...YOUNG kids...with an emphasis on actually bowling well. NOT cosmic bowling or 2-handed or "rocknbowl". You know what excites me about bowling? Knowing that on any day of the week I can outbowl and of those teenagers at cosmic bowling. I knock down a 5-bagger and they all stare in disbelief. Meanwhile, they're throwing it underhand and end up with an 87.

We have to get away from that mindset by having youth learn how to bowl the right way....get good at it...then it develops into high schools and colleges and eventually into a strong class of pros. For each young kid that you can get...thats thousands of dollars for the bowling center in practice time and food and all that. Kids leagues start to form...now ya got even more money. And as these kids start growing up and showing up at cosmic bowling...it shifts the mindset of cosmic bowlers that bowling is about chucking a 6lb ball through the air and laughing hysterically...and there's actually some merit in learning how to bowl well. We have to make it "cool" to bowl well...rather than what we currently have where it seems like the worse you bowl the cooler you are.

[Aslan]

He was really nice when we met him briefly a few months ago. Got a great vibe/energy from him.

I wonder if he realizes how many people he's inspired.

Are you talking about me or Belmonte?

I have a great vibe/energy. : (

[vdubtx]

You know what excites me about bowling? Knowing that on any day of the week I can outbowl and of those teenagers at cosmic bowling.

Wow, that is just plain pathetic.

[tccstudent]

2) To save the SPORT...we need influx of kids...YOUNG kids...with an emphasis on actually bowling well. NOT cosmic bowling or 2-handed or "rocknbowl". You know what excites me about bowling?
We have to get away from that mindset by having youth learn how to bowl the right way....get good at it...then it develops into high schools and colleges and eventually into a strong class of pros. For each young kid that you can get...thats thousands of dollars for the bowling center in practice time and food and all that. Kids leagues start to form...now ya got even more money. And as these kids start growing up and showing up at cosmic bowling...it shifts the mindset of cosmic bowlers that bowling is about chucking a 6lb ball through the air and laughing hysterically...and there's actually some merit in learning how to bowl well. We have to make it "cool" to bowl well...rather than what we currently have where it seems like the worse you bowl the cooler you are.

Around here we have a pretty good youth program.
I would be willing to lay money on a few of these kids even against the great Aslan. Some of these kids will wipe the floor with most adults

[Aslan]

Wow, that is just plain pathetic.

Well, I realize to the great vdub...it certainly seems like a pretty low target. My apologies your majesty.

My point was, I don't look at bowling poorly as a source of amusement. I take pride in how I bowl and am disappointed when I bowl poorly...as people should be. I've never understood those that think being terrible at something is "fun" or makes them cool.

But, I certainly don't mean to disagree with the great vdub...obviously his opinion of me is infallible, thus I will sink back to my "patheticness".

[mc_runner]

Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of in the movie how he brought a new audience in who could relate to him, not how he fought bob barker lol

[Mike White]

I knock down a 5-bagger and they all stare in disbelief.

If I saw you knock down a 5-bagger I would stare in disbelief.

[SilverFear]

He was really nice when we met him briefly a few months ago. Got a great vibe/energy from him.

I wonder if he realizes how many people he's inspired.

I'd venture to guess he's got a good idea. He just did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit last week. There were tons of questions from people, and he responded to almost all of them! Here's the link if you're interested in reading. Jason Belmonte AMA (http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/22gqby/iama_professional_bowler_ranked_1_in_the_world_i/)

[zdawg]

I'd venture to guess he's got a good idea. He just did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit last week. There were tons of questions from people, and he responded to almost all of them! Here's the link if you're interested in reading. Jason Belmonte AMA (http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/22gqby/iama_professional_bowler_ranked_1_in_the_world_i/)

I like his response to the Rash water bottle incident "If i wanted to put him off with a water bottle I would have thrown it at his head :) so nah, i did not do it on purpose"

[Aslan]

If I saw you knock down a 5-bagger I would stare in disbelief.
If that wasn't so true...I'd tell you to go **** yourself. Well played.


I like his response to the Rash water bottle incident "If i wanted to put him off with a water bottle I would have thrown it at his head :) so nah, i did not do it on purpose"
Thats a lie. It was so obviously on purpose. He didn't just do it once...he did it 2-3 times before Rash pitched a fit.

[ALazySavage]

In regards to saving the PBA / growing the PBA I really don't know if there is much that can actually be done. I know a few ideas were brought up, but I just don't know if this will actually work out...

Youth Bowling: While I agree that there needs to be more of a focus on younger bowlers I just don't see how it can actually be done. In regards to elementary age kids there are a few issues; First, with this age group you are essentially competing with youth basketball, football, little league, swimming, and a wide variety of other activities for two days worth of time. Week days are not set up to have any of these activities for kids with their school schedules and parent's work schedules. The other issue with week days is that a lot of these other activities do not require transportation to participate; basketball, baseball, and even football can be played right at the school while bowling would require transportation to be set up. In middle and high schools you have a high volume of places, such as Arizona where I'm from, where there isn't bowling teams at school and I don't see money being spent to start these programs when districts are looking to cut spending.

Television: I believe that the PBA is very fortunate to still be on ESPN and it is so far away from getting to ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX that I don't think that should be the discussion. Also with the networks you have the following things to compete with; ABC - NBA and College Football, NBC - Sunday Night Football, NHL Contract and Notre Dame, FOX - MLB Contract and NFL Contract, CBS - PGA Tour and NFL Contract. Week nights are not an option because these networks would want to focus on their series. Bowling is too far of a repitition program to move the needle for the common television watcher. Also, with the March Madness format, if you assume each match to take 15 minutes of television time you are looking at over 45 - 22 minute programs (when you factor in commercials) or 10 - 2 hour programs for a single tournament to show the results (this adds to the endorsement risk I explain below because the people being endorsed have more of a chance to not get exposure). I don't know if people are going to follow this program for the "stories", reality television is dime a dozen and plenty of programs fail each year; also what happens when this idea fails and ESPN finds out that there is more of a market for another sport.

Tour: I don't think you can get rid of the tour for a more widespread tournament set-up. I agree that you may want to add an additional USBC Masters type tournament but not to replace the PBA tour. The modification of having centers choose two bowlers will also kill your premium leagues due to good bowlers spreading around to get in this tournament; Two years ago one of our premium leagues had Andrew Cain (USBC President), Josh Blanchard (PBA Pro), Brett Wolfe (Former Masters Champion), and Chris Klerk all on the same team - this does not include Michael Haugen Jr. (PBA Pro), Ben Laughlin (Made telecast this year), and other Regional champions...these elite leagues would be more difficult to create under this system.

Endorsements: With the larger tournament you will not get better endorsements, you may create a system of many smaller endorsements that will actually squeeze out your top pros. Companies will be much less likely to pay significant money to pros with the risk of a Tom Daugherty shooting 100 and not making it past the first round - wasting a fair chunk of change.

The Top Heavy Tournament: The 100,000 player format for a top heavy tournament is anything but free. You may only look at an entry fee being free, but if you have multiple days/weeks of bowling you must factor in travel, hotel, food, wages missed out on, etc. This format would be far from free and could actually be a huge risk for the person who bubbles in this tournament.

A side note: Let's not bash on Jason Belmonte's style as being an inferior form of bowling...to be that accurate while throwing two handed is amazing. If you don't think he is accurate just look at this spare shooting.

Sorry for the long post and I hope Aslan doesn't think I was attacking his post, it was a good structure so I used it.

[ALazySavage]

And I will be the first to admit, I don't have any great ideas on what can be done to build up the PBA. There are simply a lot of road blocks and difficulties to be found.

[rv driver]

With respect, you're wrong. There's only one obstacle: Money. Pro sports thrive because they're backed by money and thus they generate money. Do you have any idea how much one 30-second commercial spot costs during the Super Bowl? Do you have any idea how much the average NBA player makes? Football, baseball and basketball are popular and sustainable because they have a large draw of fans who ... (wait for it!) ... spend money, on tickets, beer, memorabilia, jackets, shirts, and who buy the cars that sponsor the "Chevrolet Player of the Game." Those sports are popular because they generate excitement and an opportunity to cheer. Golf is popular, because golf is expensive to play; rich people play golf, and they get lots of high-profile, snob-appeal sponsors. What does bowling have? "The Odor-Eaters Open," for pete's sake! And it's quiet and cerebral -- like golf, but without the money-generating sponsors.

I also agree with the poster who mentioned getting the sport into the schools. Soccer wasn't popular until it came into the schools. If you get the kids to play, the moms and dads will get into the game, too. Schools have swim teams and golf teams. Why not bowling teams?

There also needs to be better exposure and marketing of the personalities. Personally, I think Norm Duke is more appealing and better looking (and easier to market) than Richard Petty. Pete Weber may try to act like a bad boy, but he's a saint compared to some of these thugs that play pro basketball. Why do they get the marketing exposure? Why do more people know the name Michael Jordan than Michael Haugen? Marketing. Jordan has shoes and T-shirts. What's Haugen got? Not even milk.

If the PBA could convince big brands to sponsor the sport, it would draw big money, and more people into the sphere of exposure.

[J Anderson]

With respect, you're wrong. There's only one obstacle: Money. Pro sports thrive because they're backed by money and thus they generate money. Do you have any idea how much one 30-second commercial spot costs during the Super Bowl? Do you have any idea how much the average NBA player makes? Football, baseball and basketball are popular and sustainable because they have a large draw of fans who ... (wait for it!) ... spend money, on tickets, beer, memorabilia, jackets, shirts, and who buy the cars that sponsor the "Chevrolet Player of the Game." Those sports are popular because they generate excitement and an opportunity to cheer. Golf is popular, because golf is expensive to play; rich people play golf, and they get lots of high-profile, snob-appeal sponsors. What does bowling have? "The Odor-Eaters Open," for pete's sake! And it's quiet and cerebral -- like golf, but without the money-generating sponsors.

I also agree with the poster who mentioned getting the sport into the schools. Soccer wasn't popular until it came into the schools. If you get the kids to play, the moms and dads will get into the game, too. Schools have swim teams and golf teams. Why not bowling teams?

There also needs to be better exposure and marketing of the personalities. Personally, I think Norm Duke is more appealing and better looking (and easier to market) than Richard Petty. Pete Weber may try to act like a bad boy, but he's a saint compared to some of these thugs that play pro basketball. Why do they get the marketing exposure? Why do more people know the name Michael Jordan than Michael Haugen? Marketing. Jordan has shoes and T-shirts. What's Haugen got? Not even milk.

If the PBA could convince big brands to sponsor the sport, it would draw big money, and more people into the sphere of exposure.

I agree with most of this except why would you compare Michael Haugen to Michael Jordan. While Haugen is one of my favorites and does have one major title among his 3 tour wins, he has never to my knowledge been in the running for player of the year. Jordan was considered the best player in the NBA for several seasons before his team won a title and I don't think that Nike and Wheaties had any thing to with that. Better bowler for this comparison would be Chris Barnes, Parker Bohn, Walter Ray Williams or Pete Weber.

[rv driver]

Simply because of the name "Michael." But I do see your point -- and I agree with you. However, my point still stands: Even Barnes, Bohn, Williams and Weber put together aren't as well known as Jordan, or Manning, or Elway, or Magic alone. Heck, even Anthony (the quintessential bowling "star" of his day and the standard for all bowling giants today) wasn't as well known as many of the "lesser" players like Laimbeer or Ainge. Why? Not as much exposure. Why? Not as much money involved in the Earl Anthony machine as there was in the Pistons and Celtics machines.

[Mudpuppy]

Simple: make them all bowl to death metal. Maybe have GWAR performing live where the stadium seating normally is.

[rv driver]

Simple: make them all bowl to death metal. Maybe have GWAR performing live where the stadium seating normally is.
I'm thinking full-contact bowling...

[Aslan]

Well...we have 2 of the "worst" ideas...from people that seem to have forgotten TV history.

Two worst TV ideas in the last 70 years:

1) THe XFL.
2) "Cop Rock".

Trust me....make it a reality format...with a March Madness type tournament at the end of the season...you will get your ratings back and be on network television in no time. I'd do it myself...buy the PBA, work with the folks out here in Hollywood to get it produced and on the air...I just need to win a significant sum of money in the Powerball to make that happen.

[ALazySavage]

This isn't a simple of an answer as money being the only obstacle. While we could say that money is the final issue that is the easiest to point to, you have to build up exposure for the game before you can get more money. Looking at the 2006-2010 Tournament of Champions the ratings are just not that good (not that this is new news).

http://blog.timesunion.com/bowling/mediocre-rating-for-pbas-return-to-abc-television/119/


As it was mentioned if a big brand could be convinced to be a sponsor it would help, but there isn't the return necessary for a larger sponsor to do this. The average cost of a commercial on some of the major networks is as follows (all 30 seconds):

ESPN: $19,301
FOX: $200,008
ABC/CBS: $94,000
NBC: $76,211

Taking the average number of viewers for the 2006-2010 stretch 877,000 and the Average commercial spot for ESPN you get $0.02 per viewer. You can adjust this down per viewer by saying that the commercial cost is lower on Sunday afternoon, but then adjust it up for the % of people watching this on DVR and fast forwarding for commercials. 19.8 million viewers were the average for football ( http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/must-see-tv-nfl-games-dominated-ratings-2011/12798/ ), which would turn out to be a $396,000 commercial for the same $0.02 per viewer rate. Essentially if a larger sponsor thought that the PBA was appealing they would buy up a lot of the available spots on ESPN because of cost effectiveness. Thus you are stuck with in a circle of we need more money to become more popular, but we need a higher popularity level to get more money.

Looking at the common answer for building up the game, getting more kids to start up bowling, you can see many of the same difficulties. The biggest difficulty is getting kids interested in bowling over other sports and activities. Bowling is at a great disadvantage to many of the other sports (football, baseball, basketball, golf, etc.) because of exposure on television. During baseball season and basketball season you can turn the television on almost every day and watch a game, football is an activity that entire families will watch together (which is on the same day as many bowling events), etc. The second disadvantage is the ease of play for basketball, football, baseball...grab a ball and walk to the park or play in the front yard. Kids are not dependent on adults to take them to a specific location as they are in bowling. Lastly, there are many schools and locations that do not have bowling teams; since these programs are not established it would be difficult to get schools to take them on; too many districts are trying to find new and creative ways to cut expense at this time, I don't think they would be as open to adding new programs and expense.

[Aslan]

Bowling is at a great disadvantage to many of the other sports (football, baseball, basketball, golf, etc.) because of exposure on television.

It's also at a great advantage because it's far easier to become good at than those other sports Having played them all, I can tell you that the average kid has a better chance with current equipment and conditions of becoming a 210 average bowler in < 5 years than they have of making a college team in any of those sports.


Lastly, there are many schools and locations that do not have bowling teams; since these programs are not established it would be difficult to get schools to take them on; too many districts are trying to find new and creative ways to cut expense at this time, I don't think they would be as open to adding new programs and expense.
Thats where my plan would come in and "exploit" that issue.

You go to the elementary schools in your area and you simply pitch them this idea:

"I have a bowling alley. We have a "lull" at 10AM on Thursdays where I'd like to see more bowlers. I'd like to start a league made up of at least one team from each elementary school. I am asking each school for the following:

1) Form at least one team.
2) Ensure transportation to and from the alley for the team once every 2 weeks.

In RETURN:
1) The lane usage is free.
2) Each team will receive free shoe rentals.
3) The winning team each season will receive free, new bowling balls, bowling shoes, and a bowling bag with accessories.
4) For each team a school sends, that school will receive $250 per season as a donation. The longer the school participates in future seasons, that amount goes up.
5) Participants will receive reduced cost bowling and food and a discount in the pro shop for when they come to the alley other times.
6) The school with the winning team each season will receive an additional $500 donation.

If you do the math, from an accounting perspective, the alley will make money on this deal because it is HIGHLY likely these families will frequent the alley on other nights/weekends. And the REAL monetary benefit is IF this can lead to youth leagues or even adult league players increasing...thats where the real money is. It makes both short term and long term sense. The kids are out of school for a couple hours during the school day once every 2 weeks but that could simply count as their PE time. And the schools benefit because it's money they can add to their budget or PTA account. And it's a snowball rolling down a hill. As more youth get into it, those youth lead to youth leagues and that leads to middle school and then high school leagues. Then, college teams become more prevalent...then the Pro game sees some more interest.

The problem with the PBA is; they are trying to build a giant snowball without the advantage of it rolling down a hill. The foundation for bowling has eroded and it simply can't be fixed from the top down. The ONLY way they can make the PBA Tour solvent between now and when the grass roots efforts come to fruition is my idea of putting the "Tour" on hold and making it a year long tournament with a "reality TV" feel to it. As people get caught up in the stories and the bowling world gets excited about the Cindarella stories...and the pros get more exposure to average America...then culminating in a March Madness style single elimination tournament...??? Yeah...that'll work.

There are reality shoes about Duck Hunters and pregnant teenagers and 4 year olds in beauty pageants...which if it hasn't taught us anything, it's taught us that if you make it about the "stories", people will watch just about anything.

And financially, if I were to purchase the PBA, it would be simple:

ESPN, USBC/BPAA, and PBA in a conference room. And you simply pitch this:

PBA: We put the tour on hold for a minimum of 2 years. Your support will now need to come from your sponsors. However, the tournament will produce very large paychecks for the final 4-8 bowlers. Also, join a league because the only way in the new tournament is through a sanctioned league at a sanctioned center.

USBC/BPAA: We need every USBC center to conduct an annual tournament according to strict rules. Each center will receive to entries into this new year-long tournament/TV series.

ESPN: We NEED a spot to air this. I'll GIVE it to you for 1 year to see if this experiment will work. That means you pay zero fees to air the PBA show at a time slot of your choosing (so long as it's prime time weekdays or weekends). In return, I just need the network to help us produce and film it. We need, especially early on, film crews spread out at centers throughout the country....chasing "stories" that will resonate with viewers.

Sponsors, if any, will pay half their fee to ESPN for some commercial time and half their money into the prize fund. That will get them some commercial time and their logo at events. All 64 finalists receive automatic bids to next year's tournament (since they won't have time to bowl in a sanctioned league). Prizes for places 5th through 8th will be automatic bids to next year's tournament AND their fees paid (travel, room/board, stipend, etc..). The top 4 prizes will be somewhere in the 1 million to 10 million dollar range and automatic bids to next year's tournament. Differences between prize fund and sponsor support will be covered by me (the owner) so prizes are guaranteed irregardless of popularity.

I'm telling ya...THAT format will work. But, its the ONLY format that'll work.

[rv driver]

This isn't a simple of an answer as money being the only obstacle. While we could say that money is the final issue that is the easiest to point to, you have to build up exposure for the game before you can get more money. Looking at the 2006-2010 Tournament of Champions the ratings are just not that good (not that this is new news).

http://blog.timesunion.com/bowling/mediocre-rating-for-pbas-return-to-abc-television/119/


As it was mentioned if a big brand could be convinced to be a sponsor it would help, but there isn't the return necessary for a larger sponsor to do this. The average cost of a commercial on some of the major networks is as follows (all 30 seconds):

ESPN: $19,301
FOX: $200,008
ABC/CBS: $94,000
NBC: $76,211

Taking the average number of viewers for the 2006-2010 stretch 877,000 and the Average commercial spot for ESPN you get $0.02 per viewer. You can adjust this down per viewer by saying that the commercial cost is lower on Sunday afternoon, but then adjust it up for the % of people watching this on DVR and fast forwarding for commercials. 19.8 million viewers were the average for football ( http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/must-see-tv-nfl-games-dominated-ratings-2011/12798/ ), which would turn out to be a $396,000 commercial for the same $0.02 per viewer rate. Essentially if a larger sponsor thought that the PBA was appealing they would buy up a lot of the available spots on ESPN because of cost effectiveness. Thus you are stuck with in a circle of we need more money to become more popular, but we need a higher popularity level to get more money.

Looking at the common answer for building up the game, getting more kids to start up bowling, you can see many of the same difficulties. The biggest difficulty is getting kids interested in bowling over other sports and activities. Bowling is at a great disadvantage to many of the other sports (football, baseball, basketball, golf, etc.) because of exposure on television. During baseball season and basketball season you can turn the television on almost every day and watch a game, football is an activity that entire families will watch together (which is on the same day as many bowling events), etc. The second disadvantage is the ease of play for basketball, football, baseball...grab a ball and walk to the park or play in the front yard. Kids are not dependent on adults to take them to a specific location as they are in bowling. Lastly, there are many schools and locations that do not have bowling teams; since these programs are not established it would be difficult to get schools to take them on; too many districts are trying to find new and creative ways to cut expense at this time, I don't think they would be as open to adding new programs and expense.
That's all true. But my point is: how do you get exposure? answer: Money. Money pays for the time slots and the commercials and the sponsors' willingness to put their marketing necks on the line. Sort of a catch-22 situation.

Part of the problem is that the PBA Tour is set up as a "spectator sport." But bowling isn't a spectator sport -- not like basketball or football. It's a participation sport. People become involved in spectator sports because it's exciting. Lots of other people, lots of cheering. People can say, "The Bulls are my team because I live in Chicago." And there are products -- jerseys, balls, mugs, beer can cozies, car air fresheners, toilet paper -- that have team logos. How many logos are identified with Walter Ray? Zero. Is Walter Ray some city's "guy?" No. It's hard to rally around a player. Golf has the same problem, except that, as I've said, it's a rich man's game, so big companies with lots of money support the TV contests.

Another problem ties in with my last point. Bowling has a "reputation" as a "blue-collar" pastime, where people of no pedigree (unlike golf) sit around and swill cheap beer and smoke cigarettes. It's not viewed by many as a sport. It's an inside game, playable only with specialized equipment that you rent -- kind of like roller skating or pool. (I don't see a lot of pool tournaments on TV, either.)

When I was growing up, I'm sorry to say that the local bowling "alley" (baseball has "parks," basketball has "courts," football has "fields." Bowling has something shady and dangerous -- "alleys" -- bringing to mind places where thugs hang out and sell drugs) was second only to the local pool hall in bad reputation. It's a social stigma.

It's a real problem with no easy solution. Even Aslan's suggestion (which sounds good at the outset) isn't a real answer. I don't notice that "Duck Dynasty" has produced any greater interest in duck hunting, or "Dance Moms" in ballet.

[Aslan]

It's a real problem with no easy solution. Even Aslan's suggestion (which sounds good at the outset) isn't a real answer. I don't notice that "Duck Dynasty" has produced any greater interest in duck hunting, or "Dance Moms" in ballet.

I don't know. I'd like to think more teenagers are getting pregnant due to "Teen Mom".

[rv driver]

I don't know. I'd like to think more teenagers are getting pregnant due to "Teen Mom".
Here's the problem with your suggestion as I see it, Aslan: We all know that "reality TV" isn't real. It's staged. The stories are trumped up; the stars' idiosyncrasies are either completely produced out of whole cloth or highly over-dramatized. We all know that "pro wrestling" is largely fake. We all know it, and still we watch it, because we're entertained by it. But, as I stated, bowling isn't largely a spectator entertainment, as is reality TV and wrestling. It's something that we participate in for various reasons, most of which are honorable and plausible. To turn the professional arm of bowling into a sham/spectacle by trumping up stories and having certain players become "bad boys" will not produce any further interest in bowling. If bowling is to remain a sport, then it must be governed by rules that frown upon chicanery.

While I agree with your suggestions in theory, and while I agree that the players' stories should be better known, and while the tournaments could be better produced in order to generate interest, I just think that the whole "entertainment value" idea is a very, very slippery slope for the integrity of the game.

[Aslan]

Here's how you're unestimating the "stories":

First; there are going to be participants from ALL walks of life. Some of these people will have tragedies in their lives, some will be "characters" (like Iceman), some will be young, some very old. Some will be former professionals, some will be more current, better known professionals. Pro shop owners, bus drivers, bartenders, former pro athletes, homemakers, dog walkers, and corporate CEOs. ALL of them...will be part of roughly 80-90 thousand participants in a tournament that over the course of 9-10 months will be widdled down to a field of 64 with millions on the line.

Early on, it won't be the "same ole PBA telecast" where it's two people bowling against each other in one game. It'll be coverage bopping in and out and weaving all over the United States...covering a frame here and a frame there. Showing some 300 games, some mishaps, some tempers flaring, some dreams shattered, and some dreams being encouraged.

It's "stories" of real Americans in a sort of once in a lifetime fairy tale kind've situation. And because bowling is a perfect mix of white and blue collar...you're going to have all walks of life.

THEN...when it's time to get down to the final tournament..THEN...it's time for the lovers of PBA and sport bowling to show up and track their favorites. There might be soem guy from a league you bowl in and he's facing off agaisnt Parker Bohn III in Round 1!

It's not "fake". It doesn't have to be. You don't need 5 outrageous people...you have 80,000 to choose from! You're bound to find a couple interesting stories each week with that type of crowd. Non-bowlers will become bowlers...they'll follow the stories and they'll get pulled in. And then...the true blue sport bowlers will be there to watch it for more of the competitive side and tracking their favorite pro's progress.

I'm tellin ya...if I can win 10 million...I'd pitch it to the PBA, USBC, and ESPN. I'd buy the PBA rights for 5 million, use the other 5 million to pay prizes to winners. And I honestly think, as pessimistic as I usually am, that you'd see EASILY a 60% increase in viewers in the first year alone...minimum. And as viewers increase, sponsors catch wind, and pretty soon...you got the big boy sponsors back in play...not just bowling apparel, shoes, balls...but soft drinks, food market, fast food, car companies, beer companies, etc... I think it "could" be such a success...that in Year 2 ESPN not only agrees to PAY to carry it for a couple mroe years...but would also entertain putting it back on network TV (ABC). I think it would be so successful, you might even see a CBS or NBC come to the table to put in a bid.

[rv driver]

Here's how you're unestimating the "stories":

First; there are going to be participants from ALL walks of life. Some of these people will have tragedies in their lives, some will be "characters" (like Iceman), some will be young, some very old. Some will be former professionals, some will be more current, better known professionals. Pro shop owners, bus drivers, bartenders, former pro athletes, homemakers, dog walkers, and corporate CEOs. ALL of them...will be part of roughly 80-90 thousand participants in a tournament that over the course of 9-10 months will be widdled down to a field of 64 with millions on the line.

Early on, it won't be the "same ole PBA telecast" where it's two people bowling against each other in one game. It'll be coverage bopping in and out and weaving all over the United States...covering a frame here and a frame there. Showing some 300 games, some mishaps, some tempers flaring, some dreams shattered, and some dreams being encouraged.

It's "stories" of real Americans in a sort of once in a lifetime fairy tale kind've situation. And because bowling is a perfect mix of white and blue collar...you're going to have all walks of life.

THEN...when it's time to get down to the final tournament..THEN...it's time for the lovers of PBA and sport bowling to show up and track their favorites. There might be soem guy from a league you bowl in and he's facing off agaisnt Parker Bohn III in Round 1!

It's not "fake". It doesn't have to be. You don't need 5 outrageous people...you have 80,000 to choose from! You're bound to find a couple interesting stories each week with that type of crowd. Non-bowlers will become bowlers...they'll follow the stories and they'll get pulled in. And then...the true blue sport bowlers will be there to watch it for more of the competitive side and tracking their favorite pro's progress.

I'm tellin ya...if I can win 10 million...I'd pitch it to the PBA, USBC, and ESPN. I'd buy the PBA rights for 5 million, use the other 5 million to pay prizes to winners. And I honestly think, as pessimistic as I usually am, that you'd see EASILY a 60% increase in viewers in the first year alone...minimum. And as viewers increase, sponsors catch wind, and pretty soon...you got the big boy sponsors back in play...not just bowling apparel, shoes, balls...but soft drinks, food market, fast food, car companies, beer companies, etc... I think it "could" be such a success...that in Year 2 ESPN not only agrees to PAY to carry it for a couple mroe years...but would also entertain putting it back on network TV (ABC). I think it would be so successful, you might even see a CBS or NBC come to the table to put in a bid.
It would certainly be interesting to see your idea play out in the real world. I'd support that kind of thing. However, I'm not sure the length of time -- 9-10 months -- would hold the attention of viewers. The field would have to be (I believe) vastly smaller and the tournament much shorter. We wanna see winners winning millions, not wanna-be's hoping for millions. A little anticipation is a good thing, but you're also battling the football, baseball, basketball and Nascar seasons that provide much more exciting coverage in much shorter time.

[Aslan]

True. But the PBA routinely battles those sports. You'd have to work with ESPN on timing. During the week it could be evening…on the weekend it could be morning/afternoon/evening/night to work around other sports.

[rv driver]

True. But the PBA routinely battles those sports. You'd have to work with ESPN on timing. During the week it could be evening…on the weekend it could be morning/afternoon/evening/night to work around other sports.
I think you'd have to work up to one big event, like the Super Bowl, or the Final Four, or the World Series -- and that would take marketing & sponsors. nobody cares that much about regular season. EVERYBODY watches the Super Bowl. You'd have to "institutionalize" the "big event" in the minds of Americans.

[mc_runner]

Maybe someone should start up "fantasy bowling" leagues... I know when fantasy football hit it big it got a ton more people interested in and watching games they normally wouldn't care about. Although that does require interest in the PBA/bowling in the first place a bit, though.

[rv driver]

It would help if players could actually make a decent pro athlete living on the Tour. Again, it all comes down to money, as I've maintained all along (with all due respect to Aslan).

[Aslan]

It would help if players could actually make a decent pro athlete living on the Tour. Again, it all comes down to money, as I've maintained all along (with all due respect to Aslan).

I agree. But you're giving a solution with no way of getting TO the solution. Hope? Pray? Wish? You can't just snap your fingers and pay pros 2 million dollars a year. There hs to be massive amount of interest to fuel the sponsors getting back into it.

[rv driver]

I agree. But you're giving a solution with no way of getting TO the solution. Hope? Pray? Wish? You can't just snap your fingers and pay pros 2 million dollars a year. There hs to be massive amount of interest to fuel the sponsors getting back into it.
Therein lies the conundrum. It's a catch-22. You can't generate interest without spending money, and you can't generate money without building interest. Unless you can find a very rich bowling philanthropist.

[Hobbit]

Grassroots level is where bowling is lacking! Look at the average US demographic of bowlers?!?! Think it was like 50yr male!

If bowling can develop and support school bowling/bowling teams and inter school competitions then that can only be good for bowling as a whole. It needs a serious makeover!

We must develop a culture that bowling has value! and bowling has the "top" tier, the PBA. Something that is valued, respected, and financially sound for the next generation of kids to aspire to..

To be honest, bowling, like golf, is something that many kids don't want to work at it in general.Both sports suffering for their own variety of reasons. What the answer is, well does anyone truly know.. How do PBA create a buzz around bowling?? They are trying no doubt, but is it a case of flogging a dead horse here? It has to get it's face out there for all to see.

[Aslan]

Golf is more of a white collar sport so there's a lot of money in it. Golf has it's own TV channel for crying out loud.

Have I EVER watched an entire PGA event on TV. Nope. I might have watched portions of the Masters or Ryder Cup. But golf is the most boring thing to watch on TV that isn't related to hunting/fishing. Yet, they continue to get a ton of air time on national TV…because there are still a LOT of white collar businessmen pumping money into the sport. There are rumors that golf is losing interest…but all that has really happened is the "Tiger era" has ended and less everyday Joes are trying their hand at the game. The white collar guys are still there and so are the old retirees.

Bowling on the other hand is a blue collar sport. Folks aren't as willing to pay much. I've read many comments and heard many rumblings from bowlers about trivial amounts of money…like having to pay $21 a year for USBC membership or a league increasing their dues from $21 to $24 per week.

[renenkel]

My apologies if this has already been discussed, but I recently watched the 2004 movie, A League of Ordinary Gentlemen, which deals with the attempted revitalization of the PGA in that era. One thing I`m curious about....several times there are allusions to players not liking the changes being made by the PBA to attract television viewers and sponsors to the sport: the new CEO points out that it`s the viewers and sponsors that drive the business, not the players, and he doesn`t give a **** about the players, they`ll figure it out. Walter Ray Williams also makes comments implying a dislike of some of the changes. But the movie conspicuously avoids pointing out exactly what the changes are that the players don`t like. Does anyone here know what changes they are referring to

[Perrin]

Bowling on the other hand is a blue collar sport. Folks aren't as willing to pay much. I've read many comments and heard many rumblings from bowlers about trivial amounts of money…like having to pay $21 a year for USBC membership or a league increasing their dues from $21 to $24 per week.

I only object to paying the fee when we get next to nothing in return.

Such as keeping the fees the same while at the same time removing nearly all of the awards from the national level and offering no additional services to the average or beginning bowlers they are taking those awards away from.

[Amyers]

I only object to paying the fee when we get next to nothing in return.

Such as keeping the fees the same while at the same time removing nearly all of the awards from the national level and offering no additional services to the average or beginning bowlers they are taking those awards away from.

Perrin you nailed it on the head. I don't care if the dues are $50 or $100 dollars but there should be something we see that those dues are going for. I understand the issue with honor scores mandate tougher conditions for certified league play and return the honor to the honor scores and give the awards back.