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Author Topic: PWBA doomed?  (Read 9072 times)

da Shiv

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PWBA doomed?
« on: May 27, 2003, 10:36:16 PM »
Here are links to two articles in today's Detroit Free Press (if I can get this to work).

http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/bowl28_20030528.htm

and

http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/pwba28_20030528.htm

Shiv
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Listening to the monotonous staccato of rain on my desk top
Listening to the monotonous staccato of rain on my desk top

 

card79

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2003, 02:04:40 PM »
Wow I had not imagined that they would come right out and say it.  It is unfortunate though.  A lot of times I would rather watch the women then the men though.  I hope somebody steps up and helps.
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Bjaardker

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2003, 02:20:07 PM »
I dont think many people realize how truly tragic this would be if we were to lose the PWBA.

I think that any sort of validation the new PBA has given to our sport will have been completely wiped out without our sisters in the PWBA.

I wish I was a millionaire.

mumzie

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2003, 02:25:21 PM »
Wow. I'm surprised it's public news.
What a bummer. Well, I guess I'm for sure going to hit that fall swing this year - I may not get another chance.

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scruffy weasel

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2003, 02:53:57 PM »
its dissapointing but im not surprised, people cant expect organizations like this to be supported by the charity of select individuals, the pwba tour had an opportunity, just like the pba tour did, and for whatever reason the pba tour has shown some growth, and the wpba tour has shown nothing but losses, its a shame but i really dont expect anyone to dive in wallet first ready to drop millions in a doomed adventure simply so a few women bowlers can make a living or have some extra spending cash, maybe instead of sulking and accepting whats happening some of the women bowlers should start trying to bring attention to themselves and their organization, maybe start a big brawl on the next pwba telecast, large women, hurling bowling balls at eachother, sounds like high ratings to me.....
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100% pure unadulterated weasel...except no substitutes
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card79

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2003, 03:04:31 PM »
Where are the ball company's in this.  Does ebonite not use the PWBA as a huge marketing tool.  What about Columbia300.  I see Wendy McPherson throwing them all the time.  Storm and I could go on and on.  This seems like a great marketing tool for these company's.  There are tons of bowlers and more specifically women bowlers out there.  Why can't they all chip in enough to give it a jump start and really make the product attractive.  If you don't push the product people don't see it or notice it.  

The people who are obsessed with bowling like us know all the balls and stuff like that, but you know what talk to the average guy or girl at your house.  They don't know about them.  Use the tour as a marketing tool.

I can see why the PBA owners didn't throw 4 million at him though.  I mean that would be dumb.  Why do that a get a product that is constantly losing money.  Shoot they could just wait a year for it to fold then start their own.
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I don't really play cards and I am not 79, but it fits together somehow.

da Shiv

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2003, 03:16:26 PM »
Ebonite comes to mind to me too.  I'm surprised that they have done nothing to help.

scruffy weasel--What you propose regarding the brawl--too much like all the stuff that's on TV already.

Shiv
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Listening to the monotonous staccato of rain on my desk top
Listening to the monotonous staccato of rain on my desk top

scruffy weasel

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2003, 04:10:03 PM »
shiv, it was a joke, however you make my point, there is alot of stuff like that (brawl) on tv, and what does that tell you? someones watching and its making money...i think sometimes people on this site forget that theyre the minority in bowling, bowling is a novelty game supported by beer, nacho cheese, and black lit houses blasting justin timberlake music, for most people bowling is a very uninteresting game to watch, most people really dont understand the game nor do they want to and in order to be successful bowling must appeal to a wider market base than just the accomplished bowler, they must find a way to hook in new viewers and make them want to participate at their local houses, and that means attracting younger people and that means more energy needs to be put into, and come out of the telecasts and events...
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10 In The Pit

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2003, 05:04:55 PM »
I've had the pleasure of meeting John Sommer III back in 1993, and we talked at length during our multiple conversations.....at the time I knew that he owned Cherry Bowl in Rockford, but he never even mentioned to me that he was chairman of the board at the PWBA (and I was unaware of this at that time).  John is a great guy when you get to know him, and he is truely interested in the future of bowling.  I had absolutely no idea that he was a financial giant at the time, and he sure didn't flaunt his money...John was just an all around great guy to get to know.

I desparately hope that something can be done to save the PWBA, for both John's sake, as well as the sake of bowling in general.

michelle

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2003, 01:31:48 AM »

I believe that I know when the interview with CDB took place, and I could almost hear my own thoughts coming from her mouth.  Some of the concerns have been present for a while, and it was made known via email that money was a factor in the reduction in the schedule.  Efforts were made to boost the prize funds that we would be shooting for.  Unfortunately, it does not seem to have had an impact upon entries...we are still under 50 entries for Terre Haute, despite the fact that 24th is paying more than last year and you can now be last check and show a profit for the week instead of just barely recouping expenses.

What makes this doubly frustrating for someone like me is that I could have gone out in the late 80's but did not do so...now that I am in a position to dangle my toe in the waters (even if it means having weeks where I bowl more like a toe than a pro), the prospect of having national events is up in the air beyond this year.  

In the meantime, I can only keep my fingers and toes crossed.  For those that are within an hour or so of a stop, I can only encourage you to come out and show your support (thnx to Jeff, Joey, da Shiv and rackattack for coming out to watch this week).  


seadrive

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2003, 03:31:59 PM »
Very sad announcement at the beginning of the broadcast today; sounded like they're not sure they'll even make it through the Spring/Summer swing.  Very sad...

The story in the Detroit Free Press makes it sound like Sommer is trying to find someone to make him whole.  This makes no sense.  The 4 million bucks is gone, John; get over it.

If the PBA guys are willing to buy the PWBA for a buck, and if they are willing to make a commitment to doing for the PWBA what they've done for the PBA, then sell it to them.  The PWBA needs people with pockets deep enough to make an investment that you can't make.
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striknbarb

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2003, 04:34:06 PM »
Based on a suggestion from a friend of mine in the Dallas area, on Friday I sent an e-mail to Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks and asked if he might be interested in helping the tour.  Since I sent the e-mail from work, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to see if I get any kind of response.  

Barb
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mumzie

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2003, 06:55:01 PM »
I hate to say it, but I got to the TV about 1.5 minutes into the show. I guess I missed a REAL big announcement???
Does anyone know exactly what was said?
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michelle

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2003, 07:04:00 PM »
mumzie, in short Jan acknowledged at the beginning of the telecast that this week was the first of a seven live telecasts, but that there were concerns that the swing mind end prior to that.  This was the subject of much behind the scenes talk this week, but it was something heard from more than one source, all of whom I consider reliable.  Nonetheless, it is conceivable that the plug could be pulled prior to the end of the swing...I'm reluctant to name the stop most frequently mentioned.

da Shiv

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Re: PWBA doomed?
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2003, 09:05:29 PM »
I'm really surprised that Ebonite hasn't stepped up in this crisis.  Look at who the Ebonite staffers are on the PWBA tour.  Several months ago, Ebonite ran a full page ad in the bowling magazines with a group picture of their staffers.  The women were not identified in the photo, but they didn't need to be identified--they were all recognizable from being on TV all the time:  Kim Terrell, Kendra Gaines, Cara Honeychurch, today's winner Kelly Kulick, Michelle Feldman, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, and Leeanne Barrette.  Ebonite's bowlers dominate the tour.  Hello, Ebonite!...

Shiv
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Listening to the monotonous staccato of rain on my desk top
Listening to the monotonous staccato of rain on my desk top