I thought this article was relevant to some of the discussions that've been on azb:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/ESPNSports/story?id=920038
excerpt from abcnews.com:
Bowling's television ratings tanked. ABC dropped the broadcasts altogether.
"I think bowling did die," Miller said. "I think the reality is that bowling went the way of the buffalo. The truth is it didn't market itself. It didn't promote itself."
Miller, a former Nike executive, was hired to make bowling relevant. The first step was to crack the stereotype of squareness.
"Having a personality now is a good thing," said Chris Barnes, a professional bowler. "And it's grabbed a different audience than we've had for a lot of years. And I think it's grown our fan base."
Ratings for bowling, now on cable, have jumped 15 percent in just the last year. And the growing popularity with younger bowlers is easy to see. With flashing lights, theme music and midnight bowling, the sport is enjoying a youth renaissance. It is the fastest-growing high school sport in the country.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/ESPNSports/story?id=920038
excerpt from abcnews.com:
Bowling's television ratings tanked. ABC dropped the broadcasts altogether.
"I think bowling did die," Miller said. "I think the reality is that bowling went the way of the buffalo. The truth is it didn't market itself. It didn't promote itself."
Miller, a former Nike executive, was hired to make bowling relevant. The first step was to crack the stereotype of squareness.
"Having a personality now is a good thing," said Chris Barnes, a professional bowler. "And it's grabbed a different audience than we've had for a lot of years. And I think it's grown our fan base."
Ratings for bowling, now on cable, have jumped 15 percent in just the last year. And the growing popularity with younger bowlers is easy to see. With flashing lights, theme music and midnight bowling, the sport is enjoying a youth renaissance. It is the fastest-growing high school sport in the country.
