I would also like to voice my strong objection to the fee increase proposed by the board.  I have been a big supporter of the Virginia professional wrestling scene for nearly 20 years and have been involved in various ways helping out the local promotions in a non-performer capacity for the past 10 years.  As someone who has studied what is an often misunderstood, yet complex business, I feel the proposed changes reflect a lack of real analysis (or perhaps a complete disregard) of the true impact these fees will have on those involved. 

     First, I don’t think it is clear to most of the general public just how much most of these promotions are run on a shoestring budget.  Most barely make enough money to pay the performers and the other unseen expenses, such as building rental, ring rental, and promotional costs.  The proposal makes it almost seem as if it is the fault of the wrestling community that the DPOR isn’t making enough money to cover expenses, when it is in fact their very regulations that hinder the profit margins, which will become an even worse problem in the increase are approved.  Even though this term is well worn, professional wrestling is very much like an “athletic soap opera” in the respect that each  show leads into the next.  The object is to simultaneously entertain the audience, yet give them something to come back for next time.  Most promotions cannot afford to get more than one event license at a time in order to properly promote each show in advance.  This is part of the reason that crowd as these shows are often small, not to mention the fact that the promotion also has to pay the tax on the gate as well, which is less profit towards expenses and advertising.  I believe this is tantamount to double taxation and the event fee needs to be abolished.

     As an employee of the State of Virginia in one of its larger agencies I understand all too well the importance of budget management.  However, it is important to keep in mind that most other state agencies have to make necessary, if painful, reductions in spending to stay within budget.  They do not have the luxury of raising “fees” (taxes in this case) at will. When most state agencies go over budget they usually end up on the local news or on the front page of the newspaper.  It states in the documents supporting the increases that “The Department receives no general fund money, but instead is funded almost entirely from revenue collected for regulants and event licensure and gate fees. The Department is self-supporting, and must collect adequate revenue to support its mandated and approved activities and operations. The Professional Boxing and Wrestling Program is the only activity funded under Fund 0200 Special Revenue.”  In that case, shouldn’t the Department look at possibilities for reducing spending, as any responsible government agency should?  Why is it necessary for an inspector to be at every show?  Wouldn’t random, unannounced inspections be just as effective?  There should only be frequent inspections in the case of a specific complaint or previous, repeated violations. If the Boxing and Wrestling program can’t manage itself, does it in fact need to exist at this point?  I find it ridiculous that this department is able to operate with no real accountability to the citizens it allegedly protects.

I’ll now look at various points of the proposal itself, using the Department’s own text as a guide.

1.        “The advantage of these changes is that the regulatory program will be able to continue to function in order to protect the public.”  Protect the public from what, if I may ask?  People know what they are coming to see at a wrestling event, it is an entertainment event.  They are not risking losing money in any way, unless they just don’t like the show, which is an individual subjective matter.  As far as physical safety is concerned, there is no greater risk at a wrestling event than any other form of entertainment or athletics.