Defying The Trend

The noise from their fans starts to build even before the last bowler from the Str8 Bizness Cartel (SBC) steps onto the lane. They battled fellow Battle Bowl final team Train Wreck all day, playfully chirping at each other (bowlers and supporters alike) throughout a close season finale. But boosted by a score of 300 inside of a 746 series from eventual MVP Dakwan Tyler, SBC proved to be too much. 

After a final spare pickup that was a formality by that point, the crowd erupts, a dozen-plus members of SBC crowd onto the lane to celebrate, and the 15th annual Battle Bowl wraps up with a new squad taking home the 2024 Wilder Cup and just another year changing the game and growing the sport for the Underground Bowling Association (UBA). 

The UBA isn't your typical bowling organization—it's a high-energy, competition-driven entertainment platform that transforms traditional bowling into an electrifying experience. Think fierce rivalries, team personas, and show-stopping events that draw in serious bowlers and passionate spectators. "The UBA is not a league because that's a particular mentality," said president and owner Philip Chance. 
"We're an association, a bowling entertainment platform. Our lingo is different; our dress is different. We're all about that high energy, that camaraderie, and creating a highway for bowlers into something completely new."

More WWE than PBA, the Underground Bowling Association is a group all its own—and it is winning because of it. It embraces the edgy and fun, encouraging trash talk and building different challenges into the rules' structure. The result isn't just a fresh and original take on bowling—it's a competitive environment that mirrors the energy, camaraderie, and culture of the players who form its teams. 

By sheer numbers, bowler participation, and community support, the UBA is an impressive success story. Doubly so in an environment where many centers have struggled with dwindling league participants while also facing growing competition for customer attention and dollars. And as the UBA looks to continue expanding, they're offering an incredible opportunity to proprietors wanting to tap into new audiences and revenue streams as franchise owners. 

In 2024, the UBA ran more than 400 events across 13 states. They boast over 230 active franchisees and thousands of members in an association that started with just 16 guys in 2009. Over 3,000 people showed up for the end-of-season showdown this past August alone. Their calendar fills nearly a year's worth of a season, with teams traveling throughout their regional footprints and joining up at bigger, marquee-style matches. They've built a strong word-of-mouth following, which they continue to grow through social media, while also fueling team spirit by marketing and selling coveted team merchandise. 

"We focus on the culture of bowling," said Chance. "The events generate a lot of engagement because the focus is on the personalities involved and the energy happening behind the lanes. It's why we encourage the callouts and the trash-talking. It's like the NBA; why can't we treat lanes as arenas?" 

This smooth-running machine and an ever-growing slate of events overseen by Chance and CEO/co-founder Tynell Tate have injected new life into a host of alleys since its inception. Mainly (and initially) an east coast operation, the UBA now sports five conferences from the Atlantic to the Southwest, and they have eyes on continuing to stretch across the country with a growth plan catered primarily to the business models and needs of bowling center operators.

For a modest startup fee and an even smaller renewal cost, proprietors can become UBA franchise owners, unlocking excitement and revenue. As a team owner, you'll build your roster, create a standout team identity, and showcase your center as a hub for UBA action. You'll expand your social media presence, attract new customers, and host high-energy events that drive serious profits. Hundreds of centers have already seen that the ROI far exceeds the buy-in.

Jeff Benson, general manager of Bowlerama Entertainment Complex in New Castle, DE, describes his partnership with UBA as a perfect fit for their family entertainment center. From callout matches to major events like the NE Unholy and Battle Bowl, hosting UBA competitions has brought positive results for both the center and its bowlers.

John Clotworthy from Westbrook Lanes Family Bowling Center in Brooklawn, NJ, concurs. "I have been absolutely in love with the UBA business. The tournament directors are great and easy to work with; they are on time, very respectful, and awesome. The bowlers are the best. Aside from the revenue from bowling, the bar sales are crazy. My bartenders line up for these shifts. We LOVE this partnership!" 

Beyond the pride of being a franchise operator, the benefits roll in from event-hosting fees, food and beverage sales, and the chance to market to new crowds all season long. As cited repeatedly in testimonials, too, is how turnkey everything is, and everything is run on the UBA side. Teams come in prepaid and prepared; everyone knows where to go and what they're doing, and the spirit of the association fills up every center. 

Longtime industry marketer and former proprietor Andy Vasko recently attended a UBA event in Columbia, SC, and was blown away by the experience. "The efficiency was unreal—since fees were prepaid and lane assignments were set in advance, every shift started on time, even with 38 lanes packed with bowlers. The energy was off the charts, with players and spectators feeding off excitement. People even had tripods set up, capturing every moment."  So impressed by what he saw, Vasko has become a center liaison for the UBA, helping center franchisees make the most of their partnership and tap into the growing  momentum of this high-energy bowling movement. 

The real excitement of the UBA isn't just in the tour stops—it's in the nonstop action that keeps bowlers engaged all season long. While teams battle it out in a 10-month stretch to rack up points and earn 
a spot in the nationwide tournament, the format keeps things fresh. Each team has a roster of dozens, but only nine players hit the lanes per stop, splitting into three-bowler squads for a mix of scratch and handicap matches. Every win and every pin knocked down add up, with the highest-ranking teams earning their shot at the postseason.

But if you want to shake things up, there's always the thrill of a callout. Sitting in the #3 to #5 spot? Call out the #2 team, take them down, and jump ahead in the rankings—bonus points and bragging rights included. And if you really want to make a statement, you can take a belt from a rival, adding some serious WWE-style drama to the mix. 

Beyond the regular season, UBA managers keep the energy high with regional events, tailoring competitions to bowler demand and ensuring there's always another big matchup on the horizon. 

Overall, the UBA represents a fundamental need to shake up the industry and open more avenues to new customers and excitement about the sport. It's not a teardown of what came before but a bridge to something extra designed with the bowlers themselves (and the centers who represent their franchises) in mind.

If you want to hear more or inquire about becoming a team owner in this growing association, visit www.undergroundbowling.com or contact Andy Vasko at 239-269-8385.