Dragon Promotions Agrees to Sanction with the WPA

[DP.News]

Dragon Promotions Agrees to Sanction with the WPA


It is unfortunate that Mr Gre Leenders a representative of the EPBF and the World Pool Association (WPA) would release such a misleading and inaccurate statement as he did during the midst of contract negotiations. It is apparent that the person responsible has been misdirected and lacked information. It is our hope that such a haste and inconsiderate action has not tainted the world of billiards.

Considering the current global economic climate and detrimental state of the billiard world, the production of a new event such as our Women's World 10-Ball Championship would boost our industry with encouragement and that we would be a welcomed relief to the sport.

In an additional statement sent to federations , Mr. Gre Leender states, “Aprox two weeks ago the WPA was approached by Dragon Promotions concerning this World Championship. They asked what the criteria would be to sanction this event”.

At this time, we would like to state that DP had been in contact with members of the WPA since early 2008 to plan the details of the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship. The event in question has been approved for DP to continue progress in writing by the WPA President since April 2008. Sanctioning requirements were then discussed. Since April of 2008 Dragon Promotions have been planning this event with the support of the WPA.

In January 2009 the dates were checked with no conflicts on the WPA calendar and contract negotiations continued. The original requirements for sanctioning had been changed by the WPA which caused a delay in finalizing the agreement. Even with the changes, DP continued working with the WPA. To our surprise in the midst of working through the details of the contract, the dates that we had selected was taken by another event which caused the date conflict. As stated in a letter from Dragon Promotions to the WPA directors dated March 2, 2009 DP stated, “DP will move forward with the event and we will leave the door open to future talks in your hands.”

Dragon Promotions believes that the pool world should be competing with other sports, and not waste valuable time and resources fighting amongst people within our own billiard community who we feel should be supporting us. Despite the differences, DP and the WPA have come to a mutual agreement that will continually enrich the world of billiards and its players.

 

[Johnnyt]

Who cares. I for one am sick of the whole mess. Johnnyt

 

[Sweet Marissa]

I know this is a forum but this is supposed to be a press release. Spell check.

 

[Rich R.]

Why did Dragon Promotions release a statement about this tournament, indicating it had WPA sanctioning, before a sanctioning contract was completed and signed with the WPA?

IMHO, Dragon was trying to pressure the WPA to sign the contract and give Dragon what they wanted, regarless of any conflict.

For one, I am happy that the WPA held their ground and withheld sanctioning until Dragon changed the dates of their event. It is about time that the pool world stops putting up with the strong armed tactics used by Dragon Promotions.

 

[Klink]

I may be off base here, but it seems to me like DP is willing to include the WPA in their plans, and are willing to at least work with them in doing that. In my opinion if I was in charge of thw WPA I would be trying to work wth any and all other organiations to increase their exposure to the public, which in turn would increase their own standing and markability. Any organization or tournament that can attract outside sponsors to the word of pool should be fully supported by all of the other organizations and al of the pool players and fans IMO.

One question I have is what does DP have to gain from including the WPA?

 

[SUPERSTAR]

One question I have is what does DP have to gain from including the WPA?

Did you really just ask this question?

I would think that if DP is involved, that your gonna go broke spending money on programs, drinks, memorabilia, and whatever else they can charge money to.

Players will not be allowed to have guest passes, but instead, DP will charge them to have loved ones attend.

I think if DP is involved, it's solely about the money they can potentially steal.

 

[mosconiac]

Something tells me that this thread didn't go in the direction DP had hoped it would.

 

[Klink]

Did you really just ask this question?

I would think that if DP is involved, that your gonna go broke spending money on programs, drinks, memorabilia, and whatever else they can charge money to.

Players will not be allowed to have guest passes, but instead, DP will charge them to have loved ones attend.

I think if DP is involved, it's solely about the money they can potentially steal.

First let me say I have no preconcieved bias in this fight.

I have never been to a pro level tournament that I wasn't charged for all of these things.

As a player if they can signiifcantly increase the prize money, and number of places paid, and generate outside the pool world income, and exposure, is this not a good trade off?

 

[SUPERSTAR]

First let me say I have no preconcieved bias in this fight.

I have never been to a pro level tournament that I wasn't charged for all of these things.

As a player if they can signiifcantly increase the prize money, and number of places paid, and generate outside the pool world income, and exposure, is this not a good trade off?

How would you feel as a player, if your wife and mother came to see you play, and you weren't allowed any player passes, but instead, they were charged full price, where at other events, players families almost certainly got either a discount, or had guest passes waiting for them?

 

[Johnnyt]

As long as the players keep showing up to play in Dragon events, nothing will change. Johnnyt

 

[UrackmIcrackm]

Something tells me that this thread didn't go in the direction DP had hoped it would.

It never does and it never will. CW's arrogance has stepped on too many toes and burned too many bridges, IMO.

First let me say I have no preconcieved bias in this fight.

That's the "problem". You're not educated in "all things DP". They've undermined a lot of promoters in the past & scheduled events on dates that other promoters had scheduled events for, and the list goes on. I think RichR's post should give you some insight to the general concensus on the way those that are more educated in all things DP, feel about them.

 

[JAM]

Pool payouts pale by comparison to other sports as it is. Whether you're an American, European, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, or Puerto Rican, it costs big bucks to travel the globe these days.

Now pool tournaments are being outsourced more and more overseas to other countries by American "promotions."

I remember reading, again, right here on this forum that when the UPA, at that time headed by another president, got the World Summit of Pool to take place at Grand Central Station, the cost of doing so far exceeded the payouts of the actual tournament. You'd think that those monies would have been better spent on putting in the players' pockets. Why on Earth would the governing body of professional pool pay all that dough to Grand Central Station and not try to build a bigger payout for its member players?

 

[mongoose-]

I haven't been a member here all that long but I have never seen all those Red Reps on anyone like is on DP News LOL.

 

[Spade]

I may be off base here, but it seems to me like DP is willing to include the WPA in their plans, and are willing to at least work with them in doing that. In my opinion if I was in charge of thw WPA I would be trying to work wth any and all other organiations to increase their exposure to the public, which in turn would increase their own standing and markability. Any organization or tournament that can attract outside sponsors to the word of pool should be fully supported by all of the other organizations and al of the pool players and fans IMO.

One question I have is what does DP have to gain from including the WPA?

Its doubtful from what I understand that DP gets much to gain from WPA sanctioning except 5% of money gets taken out of players prize money to goto WPA's pocket.

Why is this not in the press release section of AZ? I only see WPA's releases

 

[UrackmIcrackm]

Why is this not in the press release section of AZ? I only see WPA's releases

Because DP thinks the rules do not apply to them. They post everything in the main forum even though there are designated places on the board for their drivel.

I pointed this out when they made the tournament announcement in the main forum so it's not like they're not aware of the other sections. They just think they're better than everyone else and can do as they please.

 

[Klink]

Pool payouts pale by comparison to other sports as it is.

Now pool tournaments are being outsourced more and more overseas to other countries by American "promotions."

I remember reading, again, right here on this forum that when the UPA, at that time headed by another president, got the World Summit of Pool to take place at Grand Central Station, the cost of doing so far exceeded the payouts of the actual tournament. You'd think that those monies would have been better spent on putting in the players' pockets. Why on Earth would the governing body of professional pool pay all that dough to Grand Central Station and not try to build a bigger payout for its member players?

I know if I was promoting a sport I would hold it in the place or country that would give me the best return on my investment. The payouts to the players you are comparing to, are sports that are held in stadiums, or arenas, or civic centers, not in hotels or local pool rooms. I wonder if holding the tournament in Grand Central Station was done to try to attract a larger audience and in turn bigger sponsors ? I would also think if this is the case that after the promoter made a decent return on his investment that there should be a trickle down effect to the players.

Spade thank you for the simple answer to my question.

As for not getting the free passes and other perks as a player I would certainly take this into consideration when deciding if I wanted to play in this, or any other tournament. Although after the cost of travel, rooms, food, etc, I do not see this as being a deciding factor for me.
You are also lucky to have a wife and mother who are interested in what you do, and should feel honored.

 

[azhousepro]

Because I sent a note to the WPA to verify fact and was told that there were some inaccuracies in the release.

And beyond that, because I did not see it as leading to anything positive. This sort of name calling between two major players in the industry is not healthy for the industry and I don't believe it will lead to anything positive.

If the movers and shakers in this industry would stop spending all of their time trying to tear each other down, then maybe they would have some free time to start building up the industry.

Mike

Its doubtful from what I understand that DP gets much to gain from WPA sanctioning except 5% of money gets taken out of players prize money to goto WPA's pocket.

Why is this not in the press release section of AZ? I only see WPA's releases

 

[Mowem down]

that cant be good....

I haven't been a member here all that long but I have never seen all those Red Reps on anyone like is on DP News LOL.

Im not thinking that is a good sign...On a major pool forum, getting blasted like that and your suppose to be a leader in the game, not good. If we could only see his comments on the rep page . Some good ones there Im sure...

 

[allprobilliards]

Im not thinking that is a good sign...On a major pool forum, getting blasted like that and your suppose to be a leader in the game, not good. If we could only see his comments on the rep page . Some good ones there Im sure...[/QUO

One bad rep can turn a row of green to red and vice versa if from a person with alot of rep points.
Essentially, DP.news could be turned from 1 bad rep from 1 person, not 100's.
I know some people make a big deal over this but its all kind of immature and middleschoolish anyways but thats just my opinion

 

[SUPERSTAR]

When it all started, it was the players this and the players that and the players should get what they deserve and should be treated like royalty.

But in reality, the only players that ever got anything, were MAYBE, Charlies buddies. Hand picked for exclusive events. Some of them, that sucked so bad, it was pathetic, but there they were, in every event and on the points list as a result, when there we so many real players that were qualified.

Everyone else had to fend for themselves or royally kiss his ass and then it became glaringly apparent that his organizations weren't there to better pool as they initially preached to the masses of players.

They were solely there so that he himself could profit.
I don't think there has ever been a DP tournament where it didn't go off like crap.
There is always something wrong.

And it's not like he cares.
DP isn't about bettering pool.
It's about putting money in C.W.'s pocket.

Where else do you see someone in control of an organization of players, promoting events, and actually playing in those events as well.
I mean, if it were the real world, i think you'd have red flags going off everywhere if you saw something like that.

It's like the biggest conflict of interests you could ever want in pool, and lets not get started about how the rules get enforced for some players, and others, they bend them all the time.

AND, he's got contempt for other players.
He actually BELIEVES that he's more entitled to things in the pool world and in life simply because he went to college and got a degree and that somehow makes all the other players who don't have an education (which unfortunately is a lot) less then him.
This is an integral part of the CW personality.

If the players prize money isn't that good, SO WHAT, he still took some ridiculous % of the door for sanctioning an event, and sold everything that he could, on TOP of actually playing well and cashing or maybe even winning the event.

Do you really think he's concerned for the players?
You've got to be kidding me.