The Masters is the showcase event for the USBC with $205,000 added to the prize fund above the tournament entry fees.  Participation is a privilege.  The most high profile bowler in the world thought his opinion was more important than the rules he agreed to play by.  He can choose to not participate if he doesn't like the rules.

What USBC rule exactly was broken? Testing was voluntary as I understand it and I see no problem with a player questioning the complete lack of transparency by the governing body of our sport.

Storm accepted the results and cried uncle so they would stop testing.  Besides people going to OC, which is about 50k out of 2 million,  this has very little effect on the average USBC member.

I have no skin in the game or inside information, but think about this for a minute. Let’s say Storm went ahead and sued the USBC, I suspect the only thing that would happen is that the USBC would be forced to declare bankruptcy which creates even more chaos in the industry that ultimately is of no benefit to Storm. Also this concept that Storm “agreed” is laughable, USBC can do whatever it wants as the governing body in the U.S. end of story.

Storm accepted the results and cried uncle so they would stop testing.  Besides people going to OC, which is about 50k out of 2 million,  this has very little effect on the average USBC member.

From what I'm hearing from people who actually know the particulars of what went on, I think that description is very ... simplistic.

For starters, the language the USBC used in its release may not match up to what Storm actually told them, or what Storm actually did. We definitely got the USBC's perspective on it, but did we actually get the truth?

As for trying to gauge how many are affected -- and it's not 2 million, the USBC's own financials put the max number at 1.4 million (which was almost 2 years ago now) and there has been a 6-10% bleed-off per year since then, so the real number is closer to 1.2 million now -- that's not what you need to be looking at. You need to consider whether the organization is doing what's in the best interest of its members. There are people in my local leagues who do not bowl Nationals who are very upset, in part because some tournaments are opting in to the USBC's ruling. But it goes even deeper than that: If the organization is not acting in an above-board way, it doesn't matter how many are or aren't affected. It matters whether the organization can be trusted.

You apparently believe it can be, while I'm not so sure. I was listening to a podcast the other night where one of the people on the podcast was reporting a couple of leagues in their area were going unsanctioned next year as a direct result of this. The USBC should be doing whatever it can do to GROW the sport. This does not grow it.

I put on my tinfoil hat and started to wonder if they're all in it together? 
Make the rule balls older than 5 years are banned from league or tournament use.
Looks to me like a big sales opportunity for ball manufacturers
I'll be taking off my hat now and returning to earth.

Except the recall is costing Storm millions. The number is not mine to release; just pay attention to the stories that will be coming out.

The Motiv Jackal thing -- the ball had a diff of .601 rather than .600 -- nearly bankrupted that company to fix. It's all ridiculous.

New post by Storm just put up. Looks like 1500 polished factory finish isn't going to be used so much like it has been.

Based on recent developments in the industry, we’re excited to introduce our new 4K - Fast finish.
 
Innovation and technology are at the heart of our core values. Recently our R&D Team was offered the opportunity to dig deep into our process and develop technology that makes the finishing of our coverstocks more manipulatable which allows for enhanced customization for every bowler.
 
The 4K - Fast finish is the purest finish we’ve ever created. No foreign materials are added to the process resulting in the true coverstock making contact with the lane.
 
We’re excited to rollout this finishing process immediately. You’ll see it in new products as well as some historic, existing products. In the next few weeks, we will be sharing more tests and tips from our team about the best ways to care for the products that you choose to bowl your best on the lanes.

Video says smoother breakpoint, less angularity.  Storm fans who love that Storm big backend motion may start to complain if the difference is that noticeable.  It will be interesting to see as these new finish balls start hitting the market.