I took it as it was said, "our" teams and not dissing the others. But they also had an advantage, since the the competition was in their backyard. If you're traveling a far distance, why not go to the "prom"? The music? I understand why they had to change it but I'm wondering if that was a cost too that was passed down to the athletes in anyway or the gym paid for it themselves or maybe Nfinity paid....just wondering.
I have to admit though, I too see it as almost a distraction before Worlds for a one day competition that I'm not sure what the purpose was for. I'm glad to see money went to charities, but couldn't have the gym done a fundraiser, everyone asked to donate and just give the money to charity and call it a day? The amount spent to get to the competition for each athlete, parent, and coaches together per organization would have given more to the charities than the actual prize money in most cases.
Everything is already so expensive to just cheer All Star. To add more away competitions just results in less athletes being able to ever reach the dream of an "elite" in All Star, if that makes sense. "You want to move up and be on that level 5 team that does all this fabulous stuff in the movie? Oh, that'll be another $1000".
I hope this movie does good things for the sport, because the thought that "You too can be an "elite", but if only you have $8-10,000 lying around a year", is not too promising.
I guess that's for another thread, but I find it absolutely crazy how much money is spent for 2 minutes and 30 seconds on the mat.