Jeff,
I hate to be angry, and skeptical, but I am. I don't think having it televised on ABC will do anything for bowling, and I also feel that the only reason that it is being televised there is because Kelly Kulick won it last year, which turned in into a miniature media sideshow of sorts.
I see where you say that NOW it has been opened up to ANY PBA member who has EVER won a tournament. I also feel that this is a kneejerk reaction to all the criticism the PBA received for allowing Kelly into the tournament last year after winning the specialized, limited competition, "WOMENS" series.
I guess what I am feeling, and trying to say is, I wish bowling was interesting enough in its own right to have garnered an appearance on ABC television. Instead, I feel like ABC is trying to "cash in" on what, last year, turned into a media sideshow.
I could be totally wrong, and I actually hope that I am.
I just don't see why people who don't even watch the PBA, and don't even/won't even know what the significance of this tournament is, would suddenly flock to their tv's to watch this. Because its on ABC? You may get a few more casual viewers, but that's probably all. The faithful, like you and I, will already be there.
Love you, love your articles, and love bowling, I just feel like this is a "publicity stunt" by ABC more than anything else, and that would be sad.
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