WPT and WSOP Pitting Their Gladiators in Quest for the World?

I hope the industry feels proud of a platform which sees every hand of a poker tournament covered on the #1 sports network in the world via a multi-day prime time finale. Extended coverage, cross-promotion on ESPN programming, even the big lead on SportsCenter. From metrics like trends on twitter, measured media, etc. the WSOP Final Table is the biggest window we have to celebrate the game. By the same token, I don't think anyone (with exception perhaps of another tour) would want to see those weekly prime-time slots on ESPN go away that reach the masses. Definitely not best appropach to market game to put WSOP in a one-week box and complete serialized programming in July.

1)The WSOP keeping players’ money for four months
2)Players having an opportunity to train for an additional four months
3)Those of us that are in-shape are being penalized by allowing others months off to rest, etc. One of these days, someone is going to die in the four months before the final table. I’m guessing they’ll put a little coffin on the table and blind that person off (a sombre victor for the eventual winner).
4)A player from Finland, South Africa, or Australia, one of these days, is going to make it to the final table with 2-3 Big Blinds and have to travel all the way back to Vegas to, most likely, go out in the first couple of hands and receive no additional money.

Simply put, the November Nine doesn’t put players first

1)we do in fact pay out 9th place money in July - 2)we put the remaning prize pool in an interest baring account and distribute to the players 3)furnish business cass travel and expenses for return trip, etc. While it is not easy on all players, many have spoken of the great opportunity to gain a sponsorship deal in this tough climate, use a heightened profile to their advantage in subsequent tournaments, and experience things through their profession they never thought possible.

..The November Nine has always been about putting players first, albeit more focused on the future players we all so desperately need. We don't make more money or share in ad revenue from ESPN. 

I understand more players exist today and have no problem with the number of events they hold in Las Vegas, but WSOP bracelets should only be awarded in Las Vegas.

I’m worried, as the number of events continually grow, the value of each bracelet will diminish. My suggestion to the WSOP decision makers is to keep tradition in mind and not let their attempts increase the bottom line destroy bracelet’s value.

Let poker players aspire to obtaining a coveted bracelet and keep their dream alive.

The international events were another of our convinctions to do what we can to grow the game through power of our platform - with a long term view of the world. We have always believed in the "World" in WSOP and that with a fast growing global game not all events should be on home soil where Americans can save the travel expenses.

We want to be a source of pride and unifying platform for you and everyone who loves poker.

We want to bring together the Poker World..and we want to encourage the World to discover Poker.