i remember when WPT's were exclusive
I was thinking this actually. Seems a bit low budget and can't do the brand any good at all.
Should be $5k minimum really.
WPT Nationals are designed to cater for local markets, and players that are not rolled for the larger fully branded WPT events. Saying it de-values the brand is like saying a UKIPT (or any of the GPT National series) de-values the EPT!
In the USA they are branded as "Regional" events, and carry buy ins even lower than the European Nationals.