Bowling Marketing Foundation:Saving bowling or just Taxing it.

[bowl1820]

The 11th Frame: Bowling industry poised to create $20 million annual marketing foundation, group says


https://www.11thframe.com/news/article/7531

Basically a group is attempting to unite all the Bowling companies and have them levy a surcharge (let's call it a "Bowling Tax") on all bowling products.

The money collected will be used to fund a "Bowling Marketing Foundation"

This bowling tax will be payed by the consumers (Bowlers) and proprietors that use their products.
(Of course the proprietors will just layoff the tax on the bowler by increasing lineage.)

They don't know what the percentage will be, but gave a example of say 5% (percent) or how the money would be used.

"The group has no interest in figuring out how to spend the money raised.", They'll leave that to someone else, “There’s people way smarter than us to figure out the best way to spend the money,” Johnson said"


And if a company doesn't want to participate in this, they'll shut them out and/or have the mfg. that are participating apply pressure on them to join the group.

"“The big concern we heard is, ‘What if one company doesn’t participate and suddenly a competitor’s prices are 5 percent cheaper?’ ” Stubler said.

The answer would be that any company not participating wouldn’t be able to take part in any of the group’s programs, he said.

And, added Johnson, there likely would be peer pressure to participate: “I think it’s a big negative if we’re promoting industry unity and one doesn’t get involved.”"

[RobLV1]

After reading the article, I must say that I'm not a big fan of the concept. I like the idea of bowling proprietors enlisting the help of marketing experts to help to grow the sport (business). What I don't understand is why the bowlers should be expected to pay for it. Many of us witness on a weekly basis, the lack of respect that proprietors show the sport side of bowling by doing everything they can to promote open play while doing as little as possible for their bread and butter: league bowlers. Asking bowlers to pay for a marketing group that will only increase that obsession with open play is just wrong in my opinion.

[jab5325]

I'd rather see something done, on a national scale, to promote youth bowling--and I don't mean a bunch of kids screwing around with rails/bumpers for a few hours on a Saturday morning.

The thing I've noticed in the areas I bowl is a distinct lack/waning of interest in the sport from youth over the years. Kids who do join the leagues often lack proper coaching because there aren't enough youth coaches. Investing in the game at this level, to me, wouldn't yield results for a long time.....but it would help bring numbers back to the game in many ways.

[vdubtx]

Do other sports have same type of marketing foundation?

[bowl1820]

I'd rather see something done, on a national scale, to promote youth bowling

Theoretically that's one of the things the money from the fund could be used for.

[Amyers]

Why does this feel so typical for bowling. Give us money and then we will tell you what we did with it. Maybe

[J Anderson]

Why does this feel so typical for bowling. Give us money and then we will tell you what we did with it. Maybe

Ranks just below,"We have to pass this bill to find out what's in it."

[John Anderson]

After reading the article, I must say that I'm not a big fan of the concept. I like the idea of bowling proprietors enlisting the help of marketing experts to help to grow the sport (business). What I don't understand is why the bowlers should be expected to pay for it. Many of us witness on a weekly basis, the lack of respect that proprietors show the sport side of bowling by doing everything they can to promote open play while doing as little as possible for their bread and butter: league bowlers. Asking bowlers to pay for a marketing group that will only increase that obsession with open play is just wrong in my opinion.

Bowlers fund bowling alleys. Owners only have money because people come to their alleys and bowl. If the owner has to pay for something, the cost is passed along to the bowlers.