After reading the TT flier, I see a little more why there is talk about it and why some people might feel the way they do about it.
This is a tourney that will revert to laws of tt years ago before ITTF pushed changes to the sport, particularly allowing racket coverings and same color that was banned by new laws of tt.
Personally, I will not be flying over there to play, but if this tourney was within reasonable distance of me, I would competing in it (and prolly liking it). TD looks to be trying to stick it to ITTF in his way, a very American protest kind of freedom thing that is supposed to be cherished in USA. I doubt it will result in getting the laws of tt back the way they used to be, but heck, if he (the Tourney Director) can get together local business to support this level of prize money, he is on to something that in USA Table tennis in general, we have failed at a lot - Engaging local business and people to support TT.