Only just seen this thread. Missed a lot!
Neos idea does indeed look awesome. Im of the opinion that the more media exposure SMK gets, the more players it attracts. And thus makes it bigger and more well competed. So I am in favour of Neos proposal.
However, the CDM as it is now is the highlight of the year for me. I love the independent feel of it, the "soul" as some people have said. I havent read the whole thread, just the first 3 pages, but id suggest trying to strike a balance between the two. Like others have said, have the CDM in the summer as it normally is and take your qualifiers for the Strasbourg event from there. It would be sad if there wasnt a summer CDM to go to.
I for one would train A LOT harder if it meant that I could qualify for a big event like the one Neo has proposed. As it stands now with the CDM, I come for the people and the game is a side thing. With the Strasbourg event, it would be more about the game and thus id train more.
So yeah, from a 'B player' whod have to play fucking hard just for the chance to get there, im all for it