What's your league(s) lineage? I haven't confirmed for my second league yet, but just noticed my one league is $13/3 games and see why the payout is so shitty.

Lineage in the 3 leagues I bowl in is $13.50 for three games. We paid $17 for a 40 team mixed league, $22 for a 40 team mens league, and $25 on another mens league.
Payouts run accordingly. The 2 mens leagues each paid $10,000 for first place.

Nice first place payout! This league is 22 (5-man) teams. $13 lineage $3 to prize fund to make $16/week and first place $700 ($140 a piece)....

Lineage fees at the center I bowl at for all of the leagues I am in run 7.25 per night.

In a mixed Sunday League we pay 12.00 per person, only 28 bowlers and have a pay out of about 2200.00 PLUS 50/50 money of 500.00 to divide. Usually pay out by points won per team.

Bowl in a 4 person league there as well, pay 15.00 and with 20 teams, get a nice back for prize money. This also is a "short season" league, so only 16 weeks in the season.

Hard for me to see what some other's have posted for lineage fees, and then the USBC wondering why there may be a decline in bowling, and leagues.

Lineage fees at the center I bowl at for all of the leagues I am in run 7.25 per night.

In a mixed Sunday League we pay 12.00 per person, only 28 bowlers and have a pay out of about 2200.00 PLUS 50/50 money of 500.00 to divide. Usually pay out by points won per team.

Bowl in a 4 person league there as well, pay 15.00 and with 20 teams, get a nice back for prize money. This also is a "short season" league, so only 16 weeks in the season.

Hard for me to see what some other's have posted for lineage fees, and then the USBC wondering why there may be a decline in bowling, and leagues.

I find this very hard to believe

I see they are not men's league's, that makes a big difference

One thing I forgot to mention is the center acts as the secretary / treasurer too...... so no money taken from league prize money to pay officer(s).......... each bowler pays a $4.00 ONE TIME fee for each league............... granted the house only puts out a medium to light condition for these leagues, the mens leagues in this same establishment which get fresh stripped backends, and much heavier volumes still pay no more than 10.00 for lineage........... bowled in them as well, just current work schedule won't allow it at this time.................. 

I am secy/treasurer for a small 10 team league 5 per team , 29 weeks
lineage is $9.00  we pay by month of $45.00 or $315.00 or $10.85 per week
leaves $3200.00 prize money and secy fee and plaques
I pay out I like to keep team money close not big top end .
1. $280,2.$280, 3.$270,4. $270, 5.$270.6.$270.7.$260,8.$260,9.$260,10.$260.
team payout $2680.00, high game and series scratch and handicap 6 each $180,
high average payout $95.00, secy fee $170.00, trophies $75.00 = $3200.00,

To me that really kills a lot of the drive to push to the top when the leagues are so flat in their payouts. Maybe some love it, I've been in both types and some don't care while others choose to find better paying options. $3/game lineage is respectful though. I commend that. I would personally vote to bump the prize fund number up some. I bet if people see the bigger payout they would go to $12-13/week.

The big story here though is that leagues almost cost bowling centers more than they make them.  Yeah it's consistent and predictable income, but open play is worth MUCH more to a center with MUCH less effort.  Lanes don't have to be freshly run, don't have to deal with whiny league bowlers, etc.  I don't blame them.  League bowlers want the most and pay the least and whine about the deal the whole time. 

Our center is getting some much needed upgrades, but it's not the league bowlers paying for it, they do lots of open play and have packed cosmic sessions on Friday and Saturday nights.  I'm very grateful that I get to benefit from upgrades I'm not contributing much to.