All right - very interesting arguements regarding the PDI. First of all - Chick is working his butt off to bee the best athlete's rep that he can be. He has a lot of obstacles - and a lot of unappreciative competitors who don't even bother to come to a meeting or respond to concerns. As the athlete's rep for the IFBB - he is there to listen to people, and to try and work out differences. He does that.
As for the PDI - claiming it will be a great organization is your opinion, but as with any startup organization, lets see. That is all Chick is asking to see. There are some amatuer shows coming up, there is the first 'pro' show coming two weeks before the Olympia - but again - who is sponsoring it - who is going to be there - etc.
The PDI is getting much more interest than other bodybuilding organizations out there - and all there has been is a few notices on the boards. What is getting interest is that Wayne DeMilia is behind that - and he has a success record. If it was someone else, would we be saying anything? Probably not.
However - like many others - we are all waiting. If there is something newsworthy to report - then the magazines, the boards, and other bodybuilding sites will report it. As for the IFBB, all are all still going to go to the contests, and talk about it. What the PDI is going to do, as it nears its first competition, is make the IFBB be much more aware of things. Many of us are still going to support all IFBB shows (including Shawn show, New York Pro, Olympia, etc). But will be watching the PDI. Yes, with interest because it is a newsworthy interest.
The question is what happens if an IFBB individual or people associated with the IFBB go to watch an event which is a non-sanctioned event or not in-good-favor with the IFBB. Can they get warned, can they get in trouble if they go??? Just for appearing there but not competing. What if the company that sponsors them asks them to be in their booth. Are they obligated via their contract with the sponsors to go to the event even if you don't want to. Can you tell the place where you work you don't feel like working at a show???