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Originally Posted by artK

254's decision to not apply to IRI demonstrates that they believe the costs outweigh the benefits (It's almost like the decision was made by a bunch of engineers). Should they attend other offseason events, it would because the cost benefit analysis comes out with positive results.

Yes, and what you describe is the cost benefit analysis we used when we decided not to go to Champs this year (we had a wild card spot). And deciding not to go for the reason of cost/time is perfectly reasonable, rather than saying "this game sucks so we're not going".

Obviously the cost-benefit analysis from prior years led to the decision to go, and Cory even followed up with the plan to attend next year in anticipation of a more positive cost-benefit analysis. With all else the same, that leaves the single variable here as "this game sucks" as the reason they are not attending. So be it, doesn't really matter. Just hope this doesn't translate to several years in a row of the same decision point because the game didn't meet the team's hopes and desires.