Can the PWBA survive?

[spencerwatts]

Does it appear that bowler interest in the PWBA is starting to wane? 

In 2015, the first year, there was talk of capacity fields at each event. And the numbers appeared to be equally as strong, if not stronger, in 2016. But the field sizes are arguably lower in 2017.

Essentially, given the cash ratio is somewhere in the 2:1 range at most events, I don't see how those numbers justify any long-term viability and success. Eventually, the sponsors that the PWBA does have will demand a better return on investment.

[WOWZERS]

That's a valid question.

I see some factors causing issues like: Stefanie Johnson missed the first 2/3 of the year because she had another child.

Boomershine is in the same boat this year.

Who will it be next year?

The travel could be factored better. Example: Next year's schedule is out....starting in Vegas, then to Rohnert Park, down to LA, and then on to Reno for the Queens.

If you just take general routing and not the specific bowling alley, to get to each city from the next is a total of 23 hours of driving according to Google and covering almost 1550 miles.

However, if you change ONE thing...change the order of the California events. Start in Vegas, then to LA, then Rohnert Park, and ending in Reno....the total driving time is 14 hours and of 900 miles.

The order of the events adds 9 hours of driving and 650 miles. Doesn't seem like much and maybe it is not, but adding extra expenditures for those on tighter budgets is troublesome. If the bowler is not flying home in between events (why would you when you have to be back out there in 3 days) the travel schedule is adding hundreds if not thousands of dollars in expenditures just to get to each event.

I would not be surprised to see the entries low for the 2 California stops next year....I could see some ladies flying into Vegas for the first event, going home, and coming back in a few weeks for the Queens.

[JustRico]

It's not Sacramento it's Rhonert Park in the Santa Ross area which is father off the beaten path

[WOWZERS]

oh great, thanks. When I mapped it I thought Sacramento was the nearest "big city" so that is what I used......now that I am looking at it again, you are 100% correct.

[Juggernaut]

Q: Can the PWBA survive?
A: NO, they cannot.

[WOWZERS]

Speaking to the OPs statement on viability and funds, I just did the math from the last stop. Only 72 bowlers, 18 of which entered as a Non PWBA member which is $400...that's a total of $7200 in entries. The other 54 entries were PWBA members @ $300 per entry for a total of $16,200....combined that is $23,400 for entries.

Payouts for 1-32 were a combined $53,000.

Yes, I realize there are other revenue streams and entries are not the only thing...but considering you only had 52 PWBA members enter (I guess I expected more) and the entry fees versus the payout was almost $30,000 short prior to covering any other expenses....yikes.

[charlest]

Q: Can the PWBA survive?
A: NO, they cannot.

I bet they could survive if they cheap'd out, like the PBA did, and only "broadcast" via that horrific venue, Xtra Frame. That way their costs would be maybe 1/4 - 1/2 of what they are on a national channel, like CBS Sports.

Right now, they're in the same boat as the PBA - can't get enough real sponsors to finance a true independent tour. But they'd probably get even less sponsors if they used Xtra Frame.

[WOWZERS]

CharlesT

The complaint going around now is the way the finals are done. Yes, the final tapings provide the ability to show the stepladder on TV....but for the leader who only has to win one match...when the finals of 3 or 4 events are taped at a future location, the leader who had a great look at the previous center now may have a completely different look. Center characteristics, surface differences, etc and the advantage someone had in one center is gone in another.

Stinks for someone to qualify #1 and then have to wait a month or more to bowl the finals at a completely different center.....but everyone acknolwedges the cost of taping the finals at every event is wayyyyyyyy too expensive.

[itsallaboutme]

The problem isn't having kids or having to drive a few extra hours over 4 weeks for those that don't go home every week or how the tv shows are taped.

Only about half of the tournaments have a title sponsor.  Once Chad's slush fund runs dry it will no longer exist.

[charlest]

CharlesT

The complaint going around now is the way the finals are done. Yes, the final tapings provide the ability to show the stepladder on TV....but for the leader who only has to win one match...when the finals of 3 or 4 events are taped at a future location, the leader who had a great look at the previous center now may have a completely different look. Center characteristics, surface differences, etc and the advantage someone had in one center is gone in another.

Stinks for someone to qualify #1 and then have to wait a month or more to bowl the finals at a completely different center.....but everyone acknolwedges the cost of taping the finals at every event is wayyyyyyyy too expensive.

It's been that way for a long time now, though. Heck, it started back on ABC with the PBA in the 1960s. Up to that point, the leader after all the games were done won the money. Then, to make things exciting for TV, the winner was now the leading qualifier.

Yes, I know it has gotten so bad these days that, often, the leading qualifier now bowls the finals 4 weeks later on/in a completely different house and set of lanes. All for the sake of an audience (maybe TV, maybe not) that is almost non-existent. More's the pity.

[Juggernaut]

The problem isn't having kids or having to drive a few extra hours over 4 weeks for those that don't go home every week or how the tv shows are taped.

Totally agree. These are NOT the problem.

 

 

[Luke Rosdahl]

I'd argue though that the PWBA right now offers a better product than the PBA . . they're just not good at marketing it. 

[Brandon Riley]

PWBA's best chance for long term survival is capitalizing on their international success by selling some tv programming to Poland, Malaysia, China, Singapore (etc)

[itsallaboutme]

Nobody is being forced to participate and they know well before they enter the situation for the TV taping.  Most of them have to be smart enough to realize this is not a sustainable model and they need to get a piece of the action while it's still around.

[Juggernaut]

 It isn't the marketing that's the problem, it's the product.

 No demand for it.

 No demand = No sponsors = No money.

 Once the funding dries up, the PWBA goes away.