WFP thoughts....

[u/Anonymousimpreg]

I had a chance to attend WFP this weekend, I'm local to Arizona. Just wanted to share some of my thoughts and was curious what you guys thought if you were there.

I enjoyed the fact that you could engage with the athletes on a more personal level, lots of them did meet and greets, were walking around the venue, or taking pictures with fans after the events. I thought that was pretty neat and something I've never gotten a chance to do before.

Some of the community events were pretty good, lots of elite athletes dropping into East Valley gyms to teach, host events. Again, it was really cool to see some of the athletes up close and get pictures.

Onto the bad....

I'm genuinely curious as to how this is actually going to make money. Most of the local gyms were giving away free tickets, so I don't know anyone that actually paid for their tickets. The actual venue they were hosting WFP for Mesa is massive and from what I understand extremely expensive. Plus all the athletes were put up in hotels. I can't imagine they are making enough money to cover their expenses.

The vendor village was terrible, there was like four or five vendors, which made it quite boring in between events or when there's a big break in the middle of the day.

The actual venue inside was very small, couldn't hold more than maybe a couple thousand people, the web stream made it seem like it was very huge inside

Obvious equipment issues mentioned elsewhere.

Personally, I don't see the WFP being able to survive for another year, but that's just me.

Edited to add: I was really indifferent about WFP before I went this weekend. I did have a good time, I'm still indifferent about WFP. My comments were just that I don't know how they can survive doing this financially, that's it.

Edited again to remove comment about blue hair judge. The shuffling issue that two people were no repped about was reviewed and affirmed.

[u/Theundertom]

I love to see so many self-proclaimed CFOs that are worried about WFP’s finances. Have the Games ever been self-sufficient? As far as I know they always took money from affiliate fees and the open - so every CrossFit affiliate member ends up paying for the games. I have no problem with some investors (or rich people) paying for my entertainment - I enjoy watching it.

[u/Hot-Ring6170 → u/Theundertom]

I second this. I’ve never understood everyone’s interest with finance as if they are the ones putting the $ up. The reason CFHQ had to give up Quarters/semis is coz it was a money-pit. Affiliates are the ones contributing to the $ prize athletes are winning at the Games….. WFP using investor $ to try a different model to get it going isn’t a bad thing

[u/Anonymousimpreg → u/Hot-Ring6170]

People are really hyper focused about the finances thing in terms of longevity. I don't know enough about quarter/semifinals to make an apt comparison.

My observations about the financial stuff was just that, an observation based upon what I saw this weekend. I'm neutral about WFP.

[u/Hot-Ring6170 → u/Anonymousimpreg]

Longevity & profitability is beyond hard for CrossFit competitions. & to have both very few have it. I’m not trying to be mean about it but many have come & gone & will continue to do so. Because & many organizers say this, if they don’t have a title sponsor(s) it becomes a $ pit. Granite Games, Zelos Games, East Coast Champs etc are few examples I can think of. They used to be staples & now are no more. It was also the reason CrossFit handed over the semifinals & Dave Castro said it himself, they were losing money when they controlled the event.

[u/Anonymousimpreg → u/Hot-Ring6170]

Very well articulated and I agree with your perspective.

Not quite sure why I am getting the downvotes on this thread for sharing my (very boring) thoughts.