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".
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