lean said:agreed, but i also recognize that a certain amount of PR is necessary. it's still a business and they want to instill confidence in their audience, especially in the US following the leaking of landis' emails in the middle of the event last year. i'll concede that in a perfect world they shouldn't say a word.
This had nothing to do with the audience. It was a "Do what Pat says" move. "You want to be on the schedule next year you pi**-ants? Make this announcement".