Do Professional Bowlers earn more than just their tournament earnings?

[Jeremy]

Like from sponsors? Anyone have a rough estimate? Surely traveling expenses and stuff would eat into the average under 100 000 dollar salary.. although that is a good living, with travelling including your family it could knock it down quite a bit. I guess a lot of bowlers have pro shops as well. But anyway yeah, anyone have an estimate?

[mc_runner]

From my understanding, sponsored bowlers get a portion/most of their travel fees paid for and usually entry fees to the PBA tournaments as a stipend. Still, they are definitely paying some out of their own pocket. Not sure about commercials, appearances, etc.

I posted this elsewhere on the site, but it's an interesting (and slightly depressing, to be honest) read: http://priceonomics.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-professional-bowling/

[Jeremy]

Very interesting. Shame. I really hope we see a rise in the popularity of bowling again, it's really a crappy feeling when you love the game so much but you know it's not going anywhere.

[Aslan]

Very interesting. Shame. I really hope we see a rise in the popularity of bowling again, it's really a crappy feeling when you love the game so much but you know it's not going anywhere.

Yup. I couldn't have put it better myself.

[Vince805]

funny you mention that because he was talking about that last night. and its one of the reasons he got out of bowling. dont quote me cuz i came in mid convo but he said that unless you place 10th or better you come out of pocket more then you win. said its like $1500 you pay.idk how long ago that was but ya. and he was sponsored by storm before he tried to come out with his own line of bowling balls that didn't get to launch. Ill ask him thursday if you guys wanna know for sure.

[rv driver]

Maybe I'm idealistic, but I think that anyone who makes the tour should be able to make a living at the sport. However, this isn't a perfect world. If it were, we'd all be bowling consistent 300 games and be on the tour.

[Aslan]

Maybe I'm idealistic, but I think that anyone who makes the tour should be able to make a living at the sport. However, this isn't a perfect world. If it were, we'd all be bowling consistent 300 games and be on the tour.

Actually, in a perfect world bowling would be hard enough that nobody on this website could carry a 190 average and between all of us there'd be 3 300-games.

BUT...the rings would be 14k gold with real diamonds.

[ALazySavage]

With some of the professionals their bowling equipment sponsor will pay for their travel, but in return the bowling company will request/require that they do a demo day or some other appearance/sales event in return. This is how one of our local pros has helped cover his travel costs.

[Blacksox1]

Actually, in a perfect world bowling would be hard enough that nobody on this website could carry a 190 average and between all of us there'd be 3 300-games.

BUT...the rings would be 14k gold with real diamonds.

I am in agreement with Aslan. :D We could use the Delorean back to 1975 !

[rv driver]

Actually, in a perfect world bowling would be hard enough that nobody on this website could carry a 190 average and between all of us there'd be 3 300-games.

BUT...the rings would be 14k gold with real diamonds.
Touche! Point taken!

[rv driver]

I am in agreement with Aslan. :D We could use the Delorean back to 1975 !
"When I was a kid," (in the '70s), nobody carried a 190 average unless they were very, very good. In those days, you weren't eligible for the tour until you had held at least a 210 average. In those days, strikes were exciting; not expected. In those days, a "really good bowler" knew how to pick up spares, not how to achieve consistent hambones. Even the Anthonys and Durbins and Roths relied on spare pickups. It's taken the emphasis off of battling your inconsistencies and put it on battling the lane conditions.

[Mike White]

Actually, in a perfect world bowling would be hard enough that nobody on this website could carry a 190 average and between all of us there'd be 3 300-games.

BUT...the rings would be 14k gold with real diamonds.

Mine is I think 10k gold, with a real diamond.