[OZ_341]

One practical problem that I see should be so obvious to anyone that has tried to put on a very large event or to anyone that has ever tried to keep any two complex endeavors identical.

Over time, these two "Championships" will not be the same experience. Eventually one "Championship" will be regarded as "Better" that the other. There will be "Haves" and "Have Nots". Teams will start to invent reasons why they should be allowed to attend the "better" Championship and FIRST will allow this to happen for special circumstances.

If you consider all of the factors involved such as competitiveness, chemistry of attending teams, weather, flight costs, logistics, food, quality of the volunteer base, sponsorships, sponsor activities, special events, celebrity appearances, local sightseeing, etc., there is no way the experience will be the same.

I will not venture to guess which will be the better Championship and its not an appropriate discussion to have here. However the fact remains that one Championship will eventually be perceived as better than the other. Its just in the nature of things.