[FSPA] League questions - player opinions wanted

[Dave Hubbard]

On Sat, May 11, 2024 at 11:08 AM Sergio Johnson via FSPA <fspa at fspazone.org>
wrote:

> Calling the party contribution a “tax” is a bit unfair lol. It’s an
> association benefit that some folks choose not to take advantage of but
> that others like. The reality is that everyone subsidizes something else in
> the league that may not be for them, but someone else takes advantage of.
>

Well, call it whatever you want, it's a part of dues that I'm essentially
just setting on fire.  I am FAR from alone on this.  By your own admission,
the party isn't self-sustaining and depends on significant no-shows to even
happen.  Is that healthy?  It's probably getting worse with the rising cost
of everything, and I assume that raising dues just to cover increased party
costs is a non-starter (at least I hope it is).  All I'm asking is to
really rethink whether it's worth it, and offer an opt-out for those that
have no interest.  There's a way to find out for sure:  do a survey, poll
the playerbase, ask if people would rather pay $40/season with party, or
$30/season and no party.  Let's gather some data.


> There are players who have never made the playoffs or very rarely do, yet
> there they are, season after season contributing to the prize pool that
> frequently goes to the same subset of players at the top end. They’re
> subsidizing the prize fund. Some folks really don’t want to own a pinball
> machine, (I know, go figure!), but get entered into the drawing anyway. The
> party isn’t any different, and clearly $10 a head isn’t covering the costs
> of it. When we came up with the cost years ago it was with the assumption
> that not all would likely attend. I guess we could go to a “a la carte”
> system for all of it but it would be an administrative headache trying to
> keep track of who is “in” for prizes, party and giveaway. That said, we
> could make all of those optional and really get bare bones with it.
> Something to think about. Does the size of the prize pool or trophies
> matter to folks?
>

This is disingenuous.  FSPA's playoff structure has always included a
multitude of divisions such that even the worst players in the league can
have a legitimate shot at their division playoffs, and therefore win
something.  It's not just bad players subsidizing "the top end."  No one is
asking for opt-in (or opt-out) to the prize pool, which wouldn't make any
sense.  I don't think anyone is asking for an opt-out for the giveaway
machine, it's essentially just a raffle.

To your last question, the size of the prize pool doesn't entirely matter
to me, as long as it's something.  Trophies do not matter.


> The private feedback that I’ve gotten so far is that folks really hate the
> wide disparities in skill levels seen in the early weeks of the new system.
> It was not a fun experience for them. Unfortunately that’s the cost of
> doing business with the IFPA. If anyone has any additional feedback on that
> or other topics, I’d love to hear it!
>

Just a feeling... but it might be time to decide whether FSPA wants to be a
competitive thing or a casual thing.  I know the party line in the past was
trying to strike some sort of balance, but if people really hate the result
of kowtowing to IFPA in an attempt to keep points, maybe it's time to pick
a side.  Believe it or not, I actually think you should lean into the
casual side.  Competitive players who care about points will continue to go
to tournaments.  FSPA can exist for the more casual/social side, and
without having to worry about the IFPA, you can go back to the ladder
system and/or do whatever you want.

       --- Dave
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