DGPT Adjusts Schedule to Protect Conpet

[MikeK]

For Immediate Release:
DGPT Adjusts Schedule & Media Plans To Protect Competitive Fairness in FPO Division
The FPO division is now being relocated for several events
July 14, 2023: The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) has adjusted its competition schedule and media plan for the remainder of the 2023 season. These adjustments have been made in order to protect competitive fairness in the FPO division and to limit financial burden in locations where the PDGA Policy on Eligibility for Gender-Based Divisions may become the subject of last-minute litigation harmful to the tour. The DGPT is taking this action to ensure competitive fairness while working to maintain the operational viability of the FPO division.
These adjustments (listed below) include relocating the FPO division at multiple DGPT events. While the FPO division has been canceled in certain states, the DGPT is working to replace these FPO competitions with events in nearby states, as well as considering other options. These replacement events will award the same points value as the now-canceled tournaments. Scheduling efforts are still underway, but the DGPT is optimistic about implementing these replacement competitions for the FPO division.
"Competitive fairness is the underpinning of the Disc Golf Pro Tour, the professional disc golf industry, and all of elite, competitive sport worldwide. The DGPT is committed to the future of the FPO division, and in order to protect competitive fairness for the division, these changes are necessary at this time. We will not waiver on the PDGA Gender Eligibility Policy as we've adopted it for the FPO division," said Jeff Spring, DGPT CEO and Tour Director. "This said, I also want to affirm the concept that you can simultaneously respect and support transgender people and support competitive fairness for the FPO division. These are not mutually exclusive concepts, and the DGPT will continue to show respect to all people involved while thinking creatively about long-term solutions for this challenging issue."
As fans of the FPO division are aware, this season the DGPT's eligibility rules for the Female Professional Open (FPO) division have twice been challenged at the last minute in States with expansive public accommodations laws. Both legal challenges were filed just days before the tournament was to occur. On both occasions, trial judges relied on the State's public accommodations law to enter emergency injunctions without the DGPT being allowed to submit evidence regarding the need for the DGPT eligibility rules to protect competitive fairness in the FPO division. Thus, the DGPT is working to avoid further disruptions due to last-minute legal challenges that do not provide the DGPT a full and fair opportunity to defend its eligibility rules. These adjustments also represent a necessary step to limit financial liabilities detrimental to the long-term sustainability of the division and the Tour as a whole.
Spring continued, "Our company is in its fourth season operating the DGPT. As a relatively new professional sport, we have limited resources which we must use wisely in order to support an FPO division that has been publicly voicing their strong support for, and the necessity of, this policy. We are confident that the DGPT's eligibility rules will ultimately be upheld. However, we cannot continue to endure last-minute challenges that drain the resources the DGPT needs to expand the game and grow elite competitive opportunities for our athletes. The Minnesota lawsuit is ongoing, and we plan to appeal the TRO decision and defend the policy before the court. Minnesota statutes allow for a sports exception to their public accommodation law, and if we prevail in Minnesota, as we expect to, we will again look to schedule the FPO division in these states in the future."
A current list of adjustments to the DGPT schedule and media plan appears below. Any future updates will be announced at a later date.
Mid-America Open (Silver) (July 28-30)
No changes are currently planned.
Discraft's Ledgestone Open (Elite+) (August 3-6)
The FPO division at Discraft's Ledgestone Open in Peoria Illinois has been canceled. This FPO event, or a separate FPO-only DGPT Elite+ Event with a different name, is likely to be rescheduled in a nearby state for the same week. The DGPT intends to provide standard live and post-pro coverage if the event is rescheduled elsewhere and is optimistic about implementing a replacement.
LWS Open at Idlewild (Elite) (August 11-13)
No changes are currently planned.
Discraft's Great Lakes Open (Playoff) (August 17-20)
The FPO division at Discraft's Great Lakes Open in Milford Michigan has been canceled. This FPO event, or a separate FPO-only DGPT Playoff Event with a different name, is likely to be rescheduled in a nearby state for the same week. The DGPT intends to provide standard live and post-pro coverage if the event is rescheduled elsewhere and is optimistic about implementing a replacement.
American Flying Discs Open (Silver) (August 25-27)
The FPO division at this event will no longer be a DGPT event, nor will it award DGPT points. The MPO side of the tournament is planned to proceed as normal and will award points at the Silver level. The DGPT plans to continue with live broadcast plans at this event for the MPO division as well as post-production coverage. Any concurrent FPO A-tier (no longer a DGPT event) will not have live coverage or DGPT Media Partner post-pro coverage.
Discmania Open (Silver) (September 8-10)
The FPO division at this event will no longer be a DGPT event, nor will it award DGPT points. The MPO side of the tournament is planned to proceed as normal and will award points at the Silver level. Any concurrent FPO A-tier (no longer a DGPT event) will not have live coverage or DGPT Media Partner post-pro coverage.
MVP Open (Playoff) (September 14-17)
The DGPT has canceled the FPO division at MVP Open and will only offer MPO at this tournament. The DGPT is working hard to reschedule a new FPO-only DGPT Playoff Event that would take place sometime between the 2023 PDGA Pro World Championships and the U.S. Women's Disc Golf Championship. The DGPT intends to provide standard live and post-pro coverage if a new FPO-only event is created.
DGPT Championship (October 12-15)
No changes are currently planned.
###
For media inquiries, please contact DGPT Communications Director Charles McCracken at [email protected]

 

[MikeK]

Whoops…was typing in the forum topic and must have hit enter instead of backspace.

I know the mods just got a direct alert that I posted something, so could you change the topic title to

"DGPT Adjusts Schedule & Media Plans To Protect Competitive Fairness in FPO Division".

 

[MikeK]

Also, posted without comment except that whoever said DGPT wouldn't do this is dead wrong…as usual.

 

[sillybizz]

Oh boy here we go again...

 

[MikeK]

Be careful throwing that term out around here Mr. Bizz

 

[Streets]

I'm going to go ahead and bet this thread will be moved to politics, then locked after a few days. opcorn:

 

[MikeK]

Let's hope Streets that this is a big splash of cold water to the face of DGCR that this issue is actually about disc golf, and not politics.

 

[Streets]

Let's hope Streets that this is a big splash of cold water to the face of DGCR that this issue is actually about disc golf, and not politics.

 

[Sewer bill]

I have my safety goggles on and a towel I'm ready to be soaked with the most blatantly obvious propaganda talking points so let's just get them out now instead of having 5 pages of not witty reddit banter to say them.

For speed of play any player who's propaganda starts with or mentions: "studies have shown", "experts say", "peer reviewed", please proceed to the drop zone where you must say what you actually want to say.

 

[MikeK]

I'm with you Sewer, I hope discussion on this thread stays on the topic of DGPT's hand being forced due to lawyers. DGPT has to provide a product that its FPO viewers want to see if it wants to continue. Business is business.

 

[Shallows]

On non-binary persons awareness day of all days...

NBA and MLB tried these strategies with moving all-star games out of certain states due to transgender issues. I don't think it was effective.

Hope the replacement tracks play more appropriately to the lower ranked players in FPO.

 

[Skamanda]

Am I fashionably late? Sorry, I had to get the response posted to the Throw Proud instagram.

At any rate...

Let's hope Streets that this is a big splash of cold water to the face of DGCR that this issue is actually about disc golf, and not politics.

Cute, but false.

If this wasn't about politics, and discrimination, the DGPT would've found an alternative other than, "we're canceling these FPO events, and moving them to less trans-friendly jurisdictions".

The reason for the venue changes, is because the courts have repeatedly agreed that the new rules are, in fact, discrimination.

So, the DGPT decided that, rather than accepting what the courts say, and allowing one trans woman to play on the tour, and make some money every now and again if she plays well (like, y'know, any woman can do), that they would take away any chance of money from the entire FPO field - on the off-chance that they find venues to reschedule to, in states that are anti-trans enough that they'll have a better chance of not losing in court. Again.

 

[ru4por]

I know the mods just got a direct alert that I posted something

nar·cis·sism
[ˈnärsəˌsizəm]
NOUN
excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance.

 

[MikeK]

Am I fashionably late? Sorry, I had to get the response posted to the Throw Proud instagram.

At any rate...




Cute, but false.

If this wasn't about politics, and discrimination, the DGPT would've found an alternative other than, "we're canceling these FPO events, and moving them to less trans-friendly jurisdictions".

The reason for the venue changes, is because the courts have repeatedly agreed that the new rules are, in fact, discrimination.

So, the DGPT decided that, rather than accepting what the courts say, and allowing one trans woman to play on the tour, and make some money every now and again if she plays well (like, y'know, any woman can do), that they would take away any chance of money from the entire FPO field - on the off-chance that they find venues to reschedule to, in states that are anti-trans enough that they'll have a better chance of not losing in court. Again.

Could you provide the links where there's been a final decision on either of the two cases against DGPT? I'd like to read either decision.

Also your tiring argument that this is about "one" person is as always, wrong. Just because your heroine hasn't won a bunch of money does not prove anything.

 

[Streets]

For Immediate Release:
DGPT Adjusts Schedule & Media Plans To Protect Competitive Fairness in FPO Division
The FPO division is now being relocated for several events
July 14, 2023: The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) has adjusted its competition schedule and media plan for the remainder of the 2023 season. These adjustments have been made in order to protect competitive fairness in the FPO division and to limit financial burden in locations where the PDGA Policy on Eligibility for Gender-Based Divisions may become the subject of last-minute litigation harmful to the tour. The DGPT is taking this action to ensure competitive fairness while working to maintain the operational viability of the FPO division.
These adjustments (listed below) include relocating the FPO division at multiple DGPT events. While the FPO division has been canceled in certain states, the DGPT is working to replace these FPO competitions with events in nearby states, as well as considering other options. These replacement events will award the same points value as the now-canceled tournaments. Scheduling efforts are still underway, but the DGPT is optimistic about implementing these replacement competitions for the FPO division.
"Competitive fairness is the underpinning of the Disc Golf Pro Tour, the professional disc golf industry, and all of elite, competitive sport worldwide. The DGPT is committed to the future of the FPO division, and in order to protect competitive fairness for the division, these changes are necessary at this time. We will not waiver on the PDGA Gender Eligibility Policy as we've adopted it for the FPO division," said Jeff Spring, DGPT CEO and Tour Director. "This said, I also want to affirm the concept that you can simultaneously respect and support transgender people and support competitive fairness for the FPO division. These are not mutually exclusive concepts, and the DGPT will continue to show respect to all people involved while thinking creatively about long-term solutions for this challenging issue."
As fans of the FPO division are aware, this season the DGPT's eligibility rules for the Female Professional Open (FPO) division have twice been challenged at the last minute in States with expansive public accommodations laws. Both legal challenges were filed just days before the tournament was to occur. On both occasions, trial judges relied on the State's public accommodations law to enter emergency injunctions without the DGPT being allowed to submit evidence regarding the need for the DGPT eligibility rules to protect competitive fairness in the FPO division. Thus, the DGPT is working to avoid further disruptions due to last-minute legal challenges that do not provide the DGPT a full and fair opportunity to defend its eligibility rules. These adjustments also represent a necessary step to limit financial liabilities detrimental to the long-term sustainability of the division and the Tour as a whole.
Spring continued, "Our company is in its fourth season operating the DGPT. As a relatively new professional sport, we have limited resources which we must use wisely in order to support an FPO division that has been publicly voicing their strong support for, and the necessity of, this policy. We are confident that the DGPT's eligibility rules will ultimately be upheld. However, we cannot continue to endure last-minute challenges that drain the resources the DGPT needs to expand the game and grow elite competitive opportunities for our athletes. The Minnesota lawsuit is ongoing, and we plan to appeal the TRO decision and defend the policy before the court. Minnesota statutes allow for a sports exception to their public accommodation law, and if we prevail in Minnesota, as we expect to, we will again look to schedule the FPO division in these states in the future."
A current list of adjustments to the DGPT schedule and media plan appears below. Any future updates will be announced at a later date.
Mid-America Open (Silver) (July 28-30)
No changes are currently planned.
Discraft's Ledgestone Open (Elite+) (August 3-6)
The FPO division at Discraft's Ledgestone Open in Peoria Illinois has been canceled. This FPO event, or a separate FPO-only DGPT Elite+ Event with a different name, is likely to be rescheduled in a nearby state for the same week. The DGPT intends to provide standard live and post-pro coverage if the event is rescheduled elsewhere and is optimistic about implementing a replacement.
LWS Open at Idlewild (Elite) (August 11-13)
No changes are currently planned.
Discraft's Great Lakes Open (Playoff) (August 17-20)
The FPO division at Discraft's Great Lakes Open in Milford Michigan has been canceled. This FPO event, or a separate FPO-only DGPT Playoff Event with a different name, is likely to be rescheduled in a nearby state for the same week. The DGPT intends to provide standard live and post-pro coverage if the event is rescheduled elsewhere and is optimistic about implementing a replacement.
American Flying Discs Open (Silver) (August 25-27)
The FPO division at this event will no longer be a DGPT event, nor will it award DGPT points. The MPO side of the tournament is planned to proceed as normal and will award points at the Silver level. The DGPT plans to continue with live broadcast plans at this event for the MPO division as well as post-production coverage. Any concurrent FPO A-tier (no longer a DGPT event) will not have live coverage or DGPT Media Partner post-pro coverage.
Discmania Open (Silver) (September 8-10)
The FPO division at this event will no longer be a DGPT event, nor will it award DGPT points. The MPO side of the tournament is planned to proceed as normal and will award points at the Silver level. Any concurrent FPO A-tier (no longer a DGPT event) will not have live coverage or DGPT Media Partner post-pro coverage.
MVP Open (Playoff) (September 14-17)
The DGPT has canceled the FPO division at MVP Open and will only offer MPO at this tournament. The DGPT is working hard to reschedule a new FPO-only DGPT Playoff Event that would take place sometime between the 2023 PDGA Pro World Championships and the U.S. Women's Disc Golf Championship. The DGPT intends to provide standard live and post-pro coverage if a new FPO-only event is created.
DGPT Championship (October 12-15)
No changes are currently planned.
###
For media inquiries, please contact DGPT Communications Director Charles McCracken at [email protected]

TL;DR: DGPT wants to discriminate and not get sued for it.

 

[Sewer bill]

Almost forgot.

Inb4 invite only divisions.

 

[Skamanda]

Could you provide the links where there's been a final decision on either of the two cases against DGPT? I'd like to read either decision.

Also your tiring argument that this is about "one" person is as always, wrong. Just because your heroine hasn't won a bunch of money does not prove anything.

Trans women have been competing in disc golf for over 20 years, and not one has ever been dominant, or shown any results that would indicate any sort of biological advantage, insurmountable, or otherwise.

 

[Shallows]

Almost forgot.

Inb4 invite only divisions.

It would certainly benefit the players to build more of a closed-shop guild to discriminate against prospective competition.

 

[Streets]

You'd think after the Supreme Kangaroo Court's decision, the DGPT would be a little more open about not wanting to bake a cake for "those people." :|

 

[MikeK]

The reason for the venue changes, is because the courts have repeatedly agreed that the new rules are, in fact, discrimination .

It's difficult to believe anything you say when you repeatedly post lies such as this one.