A Plan to Fund and Promote the US Open for 2015

So, as of this writing, the US Open for 2014 in bowling has been cancelled, and they're already making plans to cancel the 2015 due to lack of funds/sponsorships.  The projected costs are around 600K, which includes television time, venue, payroll, payouts, media coverage, and a host of other itemized costs.  Since current sponsorships are falling by the wayside, and the various organizations don't seem to be able to come up with a plan to correct this -- in the interest of putting a proposal out there to save a historic major tournament, I've come up with a potential solution.  In the interest of fairness, it's going to stomp on every one's toes equally who say "we can't do that", because if the need is truly there - a way can and will be found.

So, why are people so willing to back a winning team?  Because it's a guarantee.  Why do people love underdog stories?  Because it strikes so close to home - David vs. Goliath scenarios.  If we combine those philosophies on multiple levels, then it may provide a spark to restart the bowling industry, and move it toward a better, brighter future.  Sponsors are much easier to find for situations where their money isn't needed, which is a bit ironic.  But what that means is that sponsors are more likely to get behind an industry that already can pay for itself, than putting their monies toward a bailout/jump start.

So, keeping that in mind, and without further ado - how to Fund and Promote, and ultimately hold the US Open for 2015.  Note - we need to adopt this quickly so that we don't lose any more time - going to need all of it we can have.

First:  Every Bowling Center that has a USBC sanctioned league, or any competitive league will get a notice that the US Open will start with them.  Three months before the US Open date, each Center that participates will have a 24 game tournament sweeper - 8 games in the morning, 8 in the evening, and 8 the next morning - on any US Open oil pattern used in the last five years, and the eventual winner of that tournament will be that Center's entry into the US Open field.  For the 6 months prior to the 24 game sweeper, there will be an US Open oil pattern practice lane/pair available to anyone who wants to practice on it.  The entry fee into the local sweeper is $100 to participate.  However, the bowler who succeeds will have that center sponsor his/her entry fee into the Regional US Open feeder tournament, and if they survive that - their entry into the National US Open Tournament.  All the bowler has to pay for is food and lodging.  Any equipment that is USBC sanctioned and legal can be used, and the center and pro shop will have their names on the jersey that the bowler will wear in competition.
So - using round numbers:  500 Centers buy into this, and they get (on average) 20 brave souls willing to shoe up.  Each center earns 2000 for that tournament, and if their winner goes to the National Tournament - they pay out $750 in registration fees for the Regional and National Tournaments.  Approximate gain of $1250 per center, plus having promotional signage on their bowler's jersey.  Additional benefit -- other bowlers will be interested to see how deep into the tourneys "their guy" goes, so more people will be paying attention to the tournament, whether for bragging or jeering rights.  If the Regionals are done on Extra Frame - then there might be more subscribers for that service.  Final benefit - many bowlers have never bowled consistently on a pattern that wasn't a typical house shot, so it would be a bit of an eye opener and educational opportunity for those who want to really see what the pro's do.

Second:  6 weeks before the US Open date, the Regional Competitions begin.  The regional competitions will still be open to anyone, but the entry fee of $250 dollars will be paid for by the bowler if they're not a Center-Sponsored entry.  If the number of non-sponsored bowlers equal or outnumber the number of sponsored bowlers, that would mean between 167 and 200 entries into the Regional Tournaments.  Sweeper format again, only this time any US Open oil pattern can be used, and it would be 32 games to determine placement.  The top 50 from each region would go to the National Tournament.  Same rules apply - any equipment that is USBC sanctioned and legal can be used, and the Center and Pro shop logos are available on the bowler's jersey.
So - again using round numbers:  180 (averaging) bowlers come in and bowl the Regional Tournament.  The US Open fund is paid $45k in entry fees per region ($270k across all 6 regions), and the bowlers are only responsible for transportation and lodging.

Third:  50 bowlers survive Regionals to head to the National Stage.  They arrive at Reno fully aware that this is their final stop.  Now they have to bowl 64 games in 8 game blocks to determine the top 8 bowlers for the TV show.  Hearkening back to the way the television shows went, the first match would be between seeds 6, 7, and 8.  The winner would then face seeds 4 and 5 in a match.  Then it would be that winner facing seeds 2 and 3 in the next match, and the final match would be whomever survives meeting the number 1 seed.   Again - same rules apply - any equipment that is USBC sanctioned and legal can be used up to and including the television show, and the logos for the Sponsoring Center and/or Pro shop can be worn on the jersey.  Also those Sponsoring Center and/or Pro shops can be mentioned in any pre/post match interviews.

So - 300 bowlers go to the National Tournament, entry fees are $500 per person, so the US Open fund is increased by another $150k.  Total number of US Open participants - 20K bowlers, which makes the field a bit more truly a National event.  Total US Open fund at this point:  $420K, which isn't enough to fully pay for everything, but when the Organizers go to sponsors saying "we would like a buy in from you, to pay for only prize funds.  We're already fully funded for television time and production costs."  That will actually go farther with sponsors than needing to find companies to cover television and production costs - because if they know that if they don't put up monies - then the event doesn't happen, which allows them to dictate terms.  However, if the US Open Tournament can say "We'd like you to be a part, and we'll gladly add you to our sponsors list" that conveys a significantly different message, and a more attractive message.

It's a thought, it's a start for a discussion.  There's a distinct possibility that those in the higher echelons in the BPAA / USBC / PBA won't like this proposal, but that might mean that I'm on the right track.