jeff hit it right on the head when he mentioned actually watching the telecasts. i'm constantly amazed by serious league and tournament bowlers who don't watch the telecasts. i know competing with the nfl is almost hopeless-----but that's what electronic recording devices were invented for.

Thats a good question and i'll speculate to say that the PBA still has to be very cautious as to who they align themselves with as far as sponsors go. Bowling has had a hard enough time shaking the "beer bellied, smoker" image....so aligning with a Gambling site may not be in their best interest right now. I can tell you that Winnercom, the marketing firm for the PBA, does contact numerous sponsors and there are numerous sponsors that contact the Winnercom about the PBA...unfortunatley right now, the numbers just dont add up to a lot of sponsorship dollars. The immediate future needs the sport to support itself for the time being, then hopefully we can move forward and grow
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Bowl up a Storm,
Jeff Carter
www.stormbowling.com
www.jeffcarterbowling.com
www.myspace.com/jeff1295

Mr Jeff Carter,

Thank you for laying it on the line.  Also, thank you for doing so in the past.  I think that Lumber Liquidators is a great sponsor.  Up and coming.  Plus they have been a sponsor for the last few years anyway (all the Lumber Liquidators placards on both sides on the lanes).

I am really glad the PBA Tour made some money.  I watch them every week (or record to view later that day).  I also talk to people that I know have at least a casual interest in bowling about what is going on.

I think taping and showing on ESPN in the off season is a good tactic.  Like the PBA Six Flag Summer Series.  My son and I went last year to Six Flags Over MidAmerica (St. Louis) and we had a blast.  Lots of access to the bowlers and it was a great event.  We talked to some of the bowlers and everybody had a good time.

This year was up near Chicago and I think it was another hit.  New format and trying something different worked for me (and I hope others).  I certainly enjoyed watching it on ESPN.

Right now, I am saying did you watch the US Women's Open yesterday?  Yes, it is taped, but it is still great hearing Bo Burton and Marshall Holman announce this event.  Not to mention the other bowling pros that they have on the show.  Outstanding.  

And having the Bowling Clash on CBS, which has been renewed for this year and is a big avenue to open up viewership.

What is my stake in this?  I bowled for quite a few years in youth leagues as a kid (1970s).  I really enjoyed it.  I quit bowling in 1980s.  I still liked it, but other things came up.

Casually bowled through the 1990s and early 2000s whenever friends suggested it.  No leagues, just Saturday nights out with friends.  No problem.

My son started bowling in the Saturday Morning Youth League in 2003.  I haven't joined a sanctioned league, but he and I have bowled the Parent/Child league every summer since then.  He also has bowled in a YABA/USBC sanctioned league every year after that.

He gets new shoes as needed, a new ball as needed (usually every couple years).  No problem here.  The future of bowling is definitely in the kids.  But, and this is a big but, bowling is a sport for every age group.  Parents, kids, grandparents, everyone.  Sorry to sound like a cheerleader, but I really believe that.

Come on people, let's bowl!

MrMustang300

Guys,

Thank you very much for the feedback. I actually work for Winnercomm and I'm in charge of bringing on new sponsors. I can tell you that Lumber has been involved in sports for years and is a very solid company that is only getting stronger. They are committed to the sport of bowling and have stepped up their sponsorship level each year. In this tough economy good sponsors are not easy to come by but Lumber happens to be a great one. Denny's is also my client and Jeff was correct when he mentioned their change in management as being a major reason for the change. It had nothing to do with the strength of the PBA.

I will check back periodically to answer any questions I can but please be assured that Lumber is really a great sponsor. So please visit your local Lumber Liquidators if you're in the market for hard wood flooring and tell them it's because they sponsor the PBA. This way we won't need to find a new title in the upcoming years.