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Author Topic: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF  (Read 6329 times)

spencerwatts

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PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« on: October 08, 2014, 09:45:46 PM »

Talk about a deal with the devil?

On the PBA's Facebook page, I wrote a rebuttal to Chris Barnes who urged people to be supportive of today's announcement. But does he not realize that people associate the product with the sponsorship? And among hard-core bowlers -- those who will faithfully watch him bowl, ask for his autograph after a block, and maybe even make their next equipment buying decision based on what they've seen him use -- Bowlmor AMF has a horrible reputation.
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billdozer

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2014, 10:15:07 PM »
It was sad to see pros willingly give up their cards because of the deal.  The PBA needs money and that idiot has money.
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northface28

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2014, 10:16:48 PM »
Quote from: billdozer on October 08, 2014, 10:15:07 PM
It was sad to see pros willingly give up their cards because of the deal.  The PBA needs money and that idiot has money.

Give up their cards?
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bradl

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2014, 11:21:11 PM »
Quote from: northface28 on October 08, 2014, 10:16:48 PM
Quote from: billdozer on October 08, 2014, 10:15:07 PM
It was sad to see pros willingly give up their cards because of the deal.  The PBA needs money and that idiot has money.

Give up their cards?

Their PBA cards. I believe Machuga is close to doing it, if he hasn't done it already, based on his last few posts..

Quote from: spencerwatts on October 08, 2014, 09:45:46 PM

Talk about a deal with the devil?

On the PBA's Facebook page, I wrote a rebuttal to Chris Barnes who urged people to be supportive of today's announcement. But does he not realize that people associate the product with the sponsorship? And among hard-core bowlers -- those who will faithfully watch him bowl, ask for his autograph after a block, and maybe even make their next equipment buying decision based on what they've seen him use -- Bowlmor AMF has a horrible reputation.

Actually, it may be more interesting to hear what Rash has to say about this; keep in mind that Bowlmor all but owns the company he represents.

BL.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2014, 11:52:59 PM by bradl »
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spencerwatts

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2014, 12:03:03 AM »
Bowlmor bought the bowling alleys, not the bowling ball side (consumer products division).

I'm guessing it's gonna be real difficult for Sean Rash to put a happy face on this one. I can see Mike Machuga still laughing his head off saying "I told you so!"

I know for a fact there are current PBA members who were already lamenting before this became official the PBA has lost its prestige and to a greater extent, credibility. They've long since called Tom Clark a bozo. This partnership with Bowlmor AMF doesn't help the stigma.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2014, 12:05:45 AM by spencerwatts »
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Snakster

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2014, 07:02:04 AM »
Since no one has gone through the trouble, here is the link to PBA.com announcement:
http://news.pba.com/post/2014/10/8/PBA-Bowlmor-AMF-Become-e2809cOfficial-Partners3be2809d-AMF-to-Host-Chris-Paul-Celebrity-Invitational.aspx

Please explain, why this is a bad thing.  Reasons other than metaphoric statements such as "deal with the devil" would be appreciated.
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spencerwatts

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2014, 08:17:17 AM »
When you think of sponsorships/financial agreements, you think of someone who is investing their money into something whereby there is a mutual sharing of values. Tom Shannon, who is the face of Bowlmor AMF, has gone on record, and apparently without any shame, stating nobody takes bowling seriously. "Why would you?" he said on Blomberg media. (See video clip below) His stated goal is not going after the serious bowling customer, which sadly has diminished by nearly 75% since the 1980s. He's after the less-than-casual customer who could care less about bowling as a sport. I don't fault him for his business model; it's his prerogative.

Take P.B.A. The name itself implies a serious, core audience that takes bowling seriously. Granted everyone is trying to reach new audiences and find an appreciable revenue stream, the PBA's aligning itself with Bowlmor AMF creates an image of why should the PBA be taken any seriously?

Ask yourself this question: Although attracting any sponsorship money is no small accomplishment for the PBA these days, would it not seem to be a better step in the right direction had it been able to enter into a deal with a company like Home Depot, Lowe's, or a major hotel casino?



« Last Edit: October 09, 2014, 08:20:40 AM by spencerwatts »
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billdozer

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2014, 08:21:56 AM »
Quote from: northface28 on October 08, 2014, 10:16:48 PM
Quote from: billdozer on October 08, 2014, 10:15:07 PM
It was sad to see pros willingly give up their cards because of the deal.  The PBA needs money and that idiot has money.

Give up their cards?

You're a troll.  If you have Facebook, and read the post, there some bowlers saying they will no longer participate because of the deal. 

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spmcgivern

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2014, 08:32:43 AM »
Bowlmor AMF was formed in July 2013.  This video was broadcasted October 27, 2011, almost 3 years ago. 

According to Tom's concepts and ideas at that time, he was justified in making those statements.  But to say those comments are his philosophies today after acquiring AMF and Brunswick bowling centers is idiotic. 

When Bowlmor bought AMF, there were stories flying around about how it was the end of league bowling.  How the sport was going to crumble because of this purchase.  But what has been the reality?  I bowl in an AMF house and business hasn't really changed.  I am not saying the purchase hasn't affected some centers, but there were a lot of unrealized doom and gloom.

Remember, Bowlmor AMF owns less than 8% of the bowling centers in the US.  Bowlmor AMF is not the ones who will destroy competitive bowling because they decided to sponsor a celebrity event.  What will destroy competitive bowling is the piss-poor attitudes of the masses searching for something to blame for the way things are instead of doing something to facilitate the change they feel is necessary.

And also, just because Bowlmor AMF is a sponsor for the PBA, it still does not prevent any other company becoming a sponsor also.  If Lowes, Home Depot or anyone else felt there was value is being a sponsor, trust me, they would be beating down the door. 
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spencerwatts

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2014, 09:09:35 AM »
Spmc, I get what you're saying and I'm more than aware that Biwlmor AMF's market share is 8 percent of all bowling alleys in the U.S. But Tom Shannon is on record saying what he said. Has he made any public statements to the contrary since then? None that I'm aware of.

The issue is this: Take the recent spate of bad news associated with Adrian Peterson. Sponsors of the Minnesota Vikings franchise jumped ship because they didn't want to be perceived as being associated with or even condoning the charges that are currently against him. The NFL, in order to keep its multi-billion dollar partner Budwiser happy, contorted itself and reversed course in handling the Ray Rice incident.

So the PBA aligning itself with someone who's perceived as not really taking bowling seriously doesn't bode well. Why then should anyone take the PBA seriously? Call it guilt by association.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2014, 10:47:20 AM by spencerwatts »
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Jorge300

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2014, 10:37:55 AM »
I think this is a lot of people over-reacting and over-reaching. Yes, Bowlmor has a philosphy of having more of an entertainment destination instead of a true bowling alley. They purchased AMF in 2013 because AMF was going bankrupt. That says to me that whatever business model AMF had for it's centers wasn't working. So why not change some of them into the Bowlmor concept. Yes, it sucks for the league bowler's in that center. But it would have sucked for them anyway if the center closed down as well. If the Bowlmor concept makes that center a viable business again, it will be better for that community in the long run. Now, with the purchase of the Brunswick centers, we have a little different story. For the most part, these centers were doing ok, and making a profit. It just wasn't a big enough profit for the Brunswick corporation to keep them when compared to their other businesses. In these cases, I would think Bowlmor would be smart enough to leave well enough alone. As I said in another post on this subject, this gives BowlmorAMF a chance to have both sides of the coin. They can use the Brunswick centers to cater to the "serious" bowlers, while using the Bowlmor/AMF centers to cater to the "entertainment" bowlers. And there sponsorship of the PBA might be a way to help begin this relationship with serious bowlers. I am sure Mr. Shannon knows his reputation among the bowling community. The sponsorship could his way of trying change that and to show that the new Bowlmor/AMF/Brunswick company will not forget about league bowlers. Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part. But we all will have to wait and see what happens.
 
Any PBA player that gave up his card over this, was just looking for an excuse to do so that didn't make them look like a quitter. We all know the tour isn't what it used to be. The money isn't there. The prestige isn't there. And the vast majority of PBA bowlers are only doing it as a side job to whatever is their normal income stream. It's a shame it has come to this. But these "pros" aren't acting that way when they do things like this.
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Jorge300

spmcgivern

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Re: PBA's partnership with Bowlmor AMF
« Reply #11 on: October 09, 2014, 10:54:42 AM »
Quote from: spencerwatts on October 09, 2014, 09:09:35 AM
Spmc, I get what you're saying and I'm more than aware that Biwlmor AMF's market share is 8 percent of all bowling alleys in the U.S. But Tom Shannon is on record saying what he said. Has he made any public statements to the contrary since then? Not that I'm aware of.

The issue is this: Take the recent spate of bad news associated with Adrian Peterson. Sponsors of the Minnesota Vikings franchise jumped ship because they didn't want to be perceived as being associated with or even condoning the charges that are currently against him. The NFL, in order to keep its multi-billion dollar partner Budwiser happy, contorted itself and reversed course in handling the Ray Rice incident.

So the PBA aligning itself with someone who's perceived as not really taking bowling seriously doesn't bode well. Why then should anyone take the PBA seriously? Call it guilt by association.

Spencer,  Tom Shannon stated he was interested in growing the "sport" of bowling in the article:

Quote
“We’re proud to partner with the PBA for this tremendous event and support the players who lead the industry,” said Tom Shannon, Bowlmor AMF Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President. “This is an exciting time for the bowling industry and Bowlmor AMF is committed to growing the sport at every level – from recreational bowling to league play and professional bowling.”

This hopefully means the future of Bowlmor AMF includes league bowling and perhaps tournament bowling. 

And in response to the issues some centers have, I can only feel sorry for those bowlers.  I understand there may have been a philosophy in place that was not league friendly.  But I have seen first hand the positive responses to league customer complaints in my home center.  A lot of what people complain about might be contributed to center management or regional management more so than Tom Shannon and Bowlmor AMF as a company.  Not saying it doesn't reflect negatively.
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