Don Mackey?

[uwate]

I heard that Mackey was approached by Mark McCormack from International Management Group (IMG) and he snubbed McCormack's offer because he didnt like IMG's terms. Is this true? If it is, then all the things said about Mackey in this thread might not add up to the lost opportunity he dogged when Mackey didnt close a deal for Men's pool with IMG.

For those who dont know about IMG, google them.

 

[JMD in VA]

Just to throw some more wood on the fire.

I spoke with Rob Sykora at the US Open last year and he told me that Mackey holds the rights to all of the PBT matches televised during the 90's.

This personally upsets me because I was just getting into pool at the time and watched several of those matches and didn't record them. I was first introduced to men such as Archer, Davenport, Reyes, Mizerak, Hall and Varner. The list could go on and on.

Mackey could steal another fortune if he put those matches out on DVD and sold them. I think the World Team event alone would draw people to it.

This stinks.

 

[tomgearhart]

Don Mackey/PBT

Ah yes. What fond memories I have of that man. I worked for the PBT for almost two years as the Director Of Amateur Operations and was owed $15,000. (Most of which were expenses: airfares, hotels, etc.). When he got the settlement I was promised I would get reimbursed....I wasn't.

 

[jay helfert]

That is what exactly I am talking about.Everybody is talking about how he misappropriated the funds/mony etc. he might have done that and God only knows it.what is he supposed to do?Can anybody show me an official letter showing that Don Makey will be paid so much money for his annual salary? No such thing,my friend.Do you know who maintained the Books? I know who maintained the books. you can ask the book keeper whether Don received any money in the form of salary.( If u call me I will let u know privately who the book keeper was ).Don also traveled in first class but it was the work of Diane who got his tickets upgraded to first class.Don was never been paid any salary.I repeat the same question: was don supposed to be a slave and work for nothing.was his wife supposed to manage the office without any salary? Did any player ever think of paying Don`s salary? Didn`t the players not want to free load on don`s sweat?
PS: I am not saying Don is a saint.I am talking about fairness and balance.

I know who the bookkeeper was and the Treasurer, but thanks anyway. No need to single them out again. They just did Don's bidding.

On another note, I produced (along with Robert Turner) the first Bicycle Club Invitationals. I was also the TD. Brunswick gave us an additional $4,000 in sponsorship money which could have been added to the purse. Mackey demanded I give the money to the PBT. I gave the check to the current President of the PBT (AH). I have no idea where that money went but I have my suspicions. The players didn't see any of it, that's for sure.

Side note two - I put on the L.A. Open in 1992 with over $140,000 in prize money. I raised ALL the money to fund the event. Two weeks later, Mackey informs me that next year we are "partners." I still have to put up all the money to produce the event, but now he (the PBT) splits all the revenues, i.e. the gate and the vendor booths. That is definitely a major loser for me if I agree. It is hard enough to make it with 100% of the revenues. With 50% being taken out I'm guaranteed to take a bath. Bottom line - The PBT loses a premier event that Earl (he won 21K in 1992) calls the best pool tournament ever produced. It was intended to be a "prototype" event for other promoters to follow. Six or seven other promoters were interested in producing similar tournaments in their cities. After they heard the "deal" being offered they dropped their interest in putting on a major pro tournament. You see, the players had a chance to have a pro tour before Camel even came along. It got squashed by greed.

Thank your friend Don next time you see him for me.

 

[Nostroke]

Ah yes. What fond memories I have of that man. I worked for the PBT for almost two years as the Director Of Amateur Operations and was owed $15,000. (Most of which were expenses: airfares, hotels, etc.). When he got the settlement I was promised I would get reimbursed....I wasn't.

Can't you and a few of the players go after DM in a lawsuit? It seems what he did with the Settlement would be illegal. If so, i'd think a friendly to pool Lawyer would work on a contingency basis. If so- nothing to lose.

 

[oldzilla]

I know who the bookkeeper was and the Treasurer, but thanks anyway. No need to single them out again. They just did Don's bidding.

On another note, I produced (along with Robert Turner) the first Bicycle Club Invitationals. I was also the TD. Brunswick gave us an additional $4,000 in sponsorship money which could have been added to the purse. Mackey demanded I give the money to the PBT. I gave the check to the current President of the PBT (AH). I have no idea where that money went but I have my suspicions. The players didn't see any of it, that's for sure.

Side note two - I put on the L.A. Open in 1992 with over $140,000 in prize money. I raised ALL the money to fund the event. Two weeks later, Mackey informs me that next year we are "partners." I still have to put up all the money to produce the event, but now he (the PBT) splits all the revenues, i.e. the gate and the vendor booths. That is definitely a major loser for me if I agree. It is hard enough to make it with 100% of the revenues. With 50% being taken out I'm guaranteed to take a bath. Bottom line - The PBT loses a premier event that Earl (he won 21K in 1992) calls the best pool tournament ever produced. It was intended to be a "prototype" event for other promoters to follow. Six or seven other promoters were interested in producing similar tournaments in their cities. After they heard the "deal" being offered they dropped their interest in putting on a major pro tournament. You see, the players had a chance to have a pro tour before Camel even came along. It got squashed by greed.

Thank your friend Don next time you see him for me.

I don't know why this not so smart person wants to defend Don Mackey's honor (lol). I am glad Jay is around to hit him with the facts.

Keep the hits comin Jay !

 

[tomgearhart]

Don Mackey/PBT

Can't you and a few of the players go after DM in a lawsuit? It seems what he did with the Settlement would be illegal. If so, i'd think a friendly to pool Lawyer would work on a contingency basis. If so- nothing to lose.

Vagabond was correct in that Don Mackey never took a salary. Don said the tour couldn't afford it and he would get his share when the PBT went public with the "never-got-there" IPO. (however, his position had a lot of perks. 100% reimbursement for travel expenses, presidential suites in hotels, top restaurants, etc.. I know this, because we were on the same type of reimbursement system....sans the suites and top restaurants). I believe he was able to prove to the courts that he, and possibly his wife, was first in line to get paid because they hadn't for the years he put in with the PBT.

I tried to get a lawyer but he told me that because Mackey lived in Florida, it would be hard to get money and possibly take years if I did. Plus, he wouldn't take it on a percentage basis and wanted to be paid up front.

There were a lot of players & managers that did NOT get paid and others that were only paid partially. Jimmy Wetch is the first one to come to mind. He got hosed royally.

I understand that Don Mackey is still in Spring Hill, FL and works for some dental company in outside sales.

As Billiards Digest once posed on their cover: "Don Mackey....Villain or Visionary?", I vote villain.

 

[vagabond]

Vagabond was correct in that Don Mackey never took a salary.

As Billiards Digest once posed on their cover: "Don Mackey....Villain or Visionary?", I vote villain.

thanks, tomgearhart for jumping in and validating about Don`s salary.I know that you are one of the very few on this Board who has first hand knowledge.My only concern was that none of the players talked about paying salary to Don.what were they thinking !!!

the allegations of impopriety were not proved in the court of Law and hence, for legal reasons, I abstained from using some qualifiers in describing Don`s business practices.In some instances I did not like Don`s demeanor and yet I wanted to be fair and that is all to it.

by the way, are you still selling those cigar Humadors? How is steve Mc..ch doing?

 

[vagabond]

I know who the bookkeeper was and the Treasurer, but thanks anyway. No need to single them out again. They just did Don's bidding.


Thank your friend Don next time you see him for me.

somebody put his address in this thread and you can send a thank u card to him by yourself ,jay.

 

[Tommy-D]

> I'd like to thank Don myself......right in the nuts! Tommy D.

 

[tomgearhart]

thanks

by the way, are you still selling those cigar Humadors? How is steve Mc..ch doing?

The woodsmith that originally designed the humidors for us still lives here in Toledo and can make the humidors you want.

Steve McAninch is doing great and owns a local bar/pool room on the east side of Toledo. I was with him two weeks ago and played against him (and lost ). He still plays as good as ever and was warming up for the Derby City Classic.

 

[vagabond]

The woodsmith that originally designed the humidors for us still lives here in Toledo and can make the humidors you want.

Steve McAninch is doing great and owns a local bar/pool room on the east side of Toledo. I was with him two weeks ago and played against him (and lost ). He still plays as good as ever and was warming up for the Derby City Classic.

Thanks for the info.Steve is a scropio.Scorpios and cancers know how to make money