I would definitely participate in a tourney with minimal prize pool. Spotgamers is being more than generous imo. Top 16 is very achievable for the lower tier players and what not.

A lot of people don't understand that it takes participation for the prize pool to get bigger. Sponsors would hardly dip their pockets into a bad investment.

The root of the problem here as silk said, is the mindset and perception towards joining tourneys!

This game may be imbalanced in some aspects, but it is hardly unplayable at all =/