pro players not paid

[meximan2469]

In the article he also stated that the entry fee was going up to $500 each, Does that mean we are going to have some of the top pros on the message boards again looking for stake horses for the US Open too???

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with it if you are pro and a forum member and contribute to the boards semi regularly, Infact I would most likely be interested in staking someone like that. But the pro's who make there first post looking for money I'm not interested in.

Dave

 

[Nostroke]

In the article he also stated that the entry fee was going up to $500 each, Does that mean we are going to have some of the top pros on the message boards again looking for stake horses for the US Open too???

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with it if you are pro and a forum member and contribute to the boards semi regularly, Infact I would most likely be interested in staking someone like that. But the pro's who make there first post looking for money I'm not interested in.

Dave

I thought it was $500 til a year or two ago when it was raised to $600.

NO?

 

[meximan2469]

I thought it was $500 til a year or two ago when it was raised to $600.

NO?

Yes you are correct, my mistake... for some reason I thought it was $300 before which would have made the jump $200 up, Infact it is a $100 decrease, I apologize for the misinformation.



Dave

 

[punter]

Who was the tournament director for this tournament?

 

[quitecoolguy]

I live in Ricmond Va so i have seen Barry a few times at the open and even at Qmasters. I wont say that its right not to get paid...i believe that if i have to deposit the 500 up front then when im done and i win what i win i would like to be compensated. Some people need that to recoup the cost of staying at hotels.

Yet with that said I cant call the man a crook, And his tournament is the only one i look forward to going to every year. I could attend the Derby,,or others but the US OPEN is the TOURNAMENT i want to go to..it screams pool.

I do think the venders have gotten pretty "blah" there seems to be the same old things..they need to switch it up a bit..a bit more flash..something entertainning...not just here is what i got..look around buy it if you like it. You got to realize its nothign but pool players and pool lovers coming to this place...make it worth our while...also ...food their is awful..if not for the popcorn..i would die.. it would be cool to see some pro player challenges, some venders offering if you can do this you win this..heck there are millions of ways to make more money for everyone.

Barry im sorry that times are tough..but you run a great tournament. Im glad your gona stream line it..we all have ta do that now a days..but keep the diginity of that wonderful tournament alive an going!!

 

[satman]

My first thought

after 3 decades of running this event, he should have a really good idea what he can add from past P&L's statements. Due to the revenue, they are required by the IRS.

Pay a 1/4 of the field at most. Billy let me know when your U.S. Open is going to be and where. I will stake Watchez.

My first thought is, after this many years, ytou should know what you can pay. Of course, everyone wants to see a bigger first prize each year. And yea, everyone would like to see a payout to 50% of the field, {except the very top ranked players}. Why add $85,000 if there's even a chance it will cause this kind of mess.

As for some of the tourneys taking a long time to pay. I think Grady was talking about a tourney in Europe, where at the end of the tourney he went to get paid. They told him they would mail his check to him in about a month or some non-sense. Apparently thats how they work it there.

 

[markpatrick]

Hell I would be interested in staking a top player

Yes you are correct, my mistake... for some reason I thought it was $300 before which would have made the jump $200 up, Infact it is a $100 decrease, I apologize for the misinformation.



Dave

I hope some top players do look for a sponsor. So, we can get a check that bounces across town like a Super ball for my collection of losing lottery tickets.

The directors name is Barry Berhlman? I believe. See AZ Billiards Home page, 2nd story has his name. Barry announces changes for 2010 tourney.

 

[markpatrick]

That is how the US Open works here now

My first thought is, after this many years, ytou should know what you can pay. Of course, everyone wants to see a bigger first prize each year. And yea, everyone would like to see a payout to 50% of the field, {except the very top ranked players}. Why add $85,000 if there's even a chance it will cause this kind of mess.

As for some of the tourneys taking a long time to pay. I think Grady was talking about a tourney in Europe, where at the end of the tourney he went to get paid. They told him they would mail his check to him in about a month or some non-sense. Apparently thats how they work it there.

I guess that is how the US Open works here, but it has been more than a month.

Did Grady end up getting a check?

I think the changes he makes will enable him to run a viable tourney this year and pay last years guys, which according to someone is down to 2 players? Mika looked pretty happy, wonder if his check bounced?

 

[punter]

Who was the tournament director for this tournament?

Wasn't Jay helfert the tournament director here? After he relentlessly bashed the Galveston tournament over the handling of a raffle, I would think he would comment on this thread.

 

[Bamacues]

I find it difficult to accept that players from last year's US Open have gone unpaid, and yet plans are going forth with this year's Open.

In my opinion, if the players from the past Open have not been paid, then there should be no planning for a future Open....sorry, but that is how I feel.

Why should a player put his trust into a future promotion, if the same promotion has not fulfilled its past obligations to those same players?

Come up with the money owed, pay the players, then figure out what can ACTUALLY BE PAID for the future event, and go from there. If that means lower pay-outs, etc, that is the way it is.

These are tough economic times. It is really tough to make a living if you are a pool player. It is even tougher when those players don't get what is due to them.

Joe

 

[markpatrick]

Here is the article about the Tournament Director

Wasn't Jay helfert the tournament director here? After he relentlessly bashed the Galveston tournament over the handling of a raffle, I would think he would comment on this thread.

Info for US Open

Barry Behrman announces US Open changes
To my wonderful U.S. Open Players, the greatest fans on earth, as well as any future U.S. Open players from the U.S.A. and around the globe.

First of all, I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. I have always been the type of person that shoots for the moon by promoting pool to the best of my ability. Promoting pool has always been my passion in life and I genuinely love the sport. I truly believe that pool players deserve the very best and should be compensated just as much, if not more than other athletes, such as bowlers. Many professional bowlers are making a great living. I believe that it is unfortunate that there are very few men and women pool players who are making a decent living by doing what they love, playing pool.

Over the past few years we have lost many great promoters, sponsors, and players who just cannot afford to support pool as they did in the past. I am writing this letter in order to apologize to several players, 4 to be exact, to whom I still owe money. It deeply saddens me that I have been unable to compensate them for their participation in the 2009 U.S. Open however, I guarantee that I will pay them, and I will not rest until I do. While shooting for the moon I managed to shoot myself in the foot.

In 2009, I added $85,000.00 with 216 players, which are fewer players than I had in past years. I simply cannot afford to shoot as high in future U.S. Opens without filling the field and having more sponsors. After careful consideration, I believe that I must change the format of the 2010 U.S. Open prize fund by making the entry fee $500.00 per person and I will add $50,000.00 “guaranteed”. I will also pay the W.P.A. sanction fee, continue to pay the past champion entry fees, and every player in cash before they leave town. There will be no more waiting to be paid. I will live by the words that I have written today. Every player will be paid in cash before they leave Chesapeake. First place will remain the same at $40,000.00 and I will continue to pay down to 96 spots. I would like to ensure the fans that seat prices will remain the same and go on sale to my loyal V.I.P seat holders before they can be purchased by the general public from April 1- 7, 2010. So, be sure to get yours!

I will be happy to speak with any potential sponsors. Please feel free to contact me at anytime at 757-499-8958. On behalf of myself and my daughter Shannon, we look forward to seeing you October 17-23, 2010. Our 35th Annual!

By Letter from Barry Behrman - 2010-01-18

It was not Jay.

 

[Roy Steffensen]

I am out of words...

 

[jay helfert]

Wasn't Jay helfert the tournament director here? After he relentlessly bashed the Galveston tournament over the handling of a raffle, I would think he would comment on this thread.

I helped some players get paid, just like I tried to help Mitch. Now I'm going to ask you, what have you done?

 

[markpatrick]

Send your money in now

I find it difficult to accept that players from last year's US Open have gone unpaid, and yet plans are going forth with this year's Open.

In my opinion, if the players from the past Open have not been paid, then there should be no planning for a future Open....sorry, but that is how I feel.

Why should a player put his trust into a future promotion, if the same promotion has not fulfilled its past obligations to those same players?

Come up with the money owed, pay the players, then figure out what can ACTUALLY BE PAID for the future event, and go from there. If that means lower pay-outs, etc, that is the way it is.

These are tough economic times. It is really tough to make a living if you are a pool player. It is even tougher when those players don't get what is due to them.

Joe

Send in your 2010 entry fee now so the 2009 winner can get paid.

 

[iba7467]

Anyone who doesn't pay is a crook.

 

[MikeM]

Do you know the difference between a promoter and a tourney director???

Info for US Open

Barry Behrman announces US Open changes
To my wonderful U.S. Open Players, the greatest fans on earth, as well as any future U.S. Open players from the U.S.A. and around the globe.

First of all, I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. I have always been the type of person that shoots for the moon by promoting pool to the best of my ability. Promoting pool has always been my passion in life and I genuinely love the sport. I truly believe that pool players deserve the very best and should be compensated just as much, if not more than other athletes, such as bowlers. Many professional bowlers are making a great living. I believe that it is unfortunate that there are very few men and women pool players who are making a decent living by doing what they love, playing pool.

Over the past few years we have lost many great promoters, sponsors, and players who just cannot afford to support pool as they did in the past. I am writing this letter in order to apologize to several players, 4 to be exact, to whom I still owe money. It deeply saddens me that I have been unable to compensate them for their participation in the 2009 U.S. Open however, I guarantee that I will pay them, and I will not rest until I do. While shooting for the moon I managed to shoot myself in the foot.

In 2009, I added $85,000.00 with 216 players, which are fewer players than I had in past years. I simply cannot afford to shoot as high in future U.S. Opens without filling the field and having more sponsors. After careful consideration, I believe that I must change the format of the 2010 U.S. Open prize fund by making the entry fee $500.00 per person and I will add $50,000.00 “guaranteed”. I will also pay the W.P.A. sanction fee, continue to pay the past champion entry fees, and every player in cash before they leave town. There will be no more waiting to be paid. I will live by the words that I have written today. Every player will be paid in cash before they leave Chesapeake. First place will remain the same at $40,000.00 and I will continue to pay down to 96 spots. I would like to ensure the fans that seat prices will remain the same and go on sale to my loyal V.I.P seat holders before they can be purchased by the general public from April 1- 7, 2010. So, be sure to get yours!

I will be happy to speak with any potential sponsors. Please feel free to contact me at anytime at 757-499-8958. On behalf of myself and my daughter Shannon, we look forward to seeing you October 17-23, 2010. Our 35th Annual!

By Letter from Barry Behrman - 2010-01-18

It was not Jay.

I don't think you do. I beleive Scott "the Shot" Smith has been tournament director for the Open for years, albeit with lots of help.

MM

 

[punter]

I helped some players get paid, just like I tried to help Mitch. Now I'm going to ask you, what have you done?

Yeah, you tried to help him by bashing the entire tournament and doing your best to see that there never is another one.

What have I done? I'm a fan that enjoyed attending a world class tournament that was near my home. What I don't do is slander someone without the facts, as you did.

 

[jay helfert]

Yeah, you tried to help him by bashing the entire tournament and doing your best to see that there never is another one.

What have I done? I'm a fan that enjoyed attending a world class tournament that was near my home. What I don't do is slander someone without the facts, as you did.

You mean like you're doing now. I only bashed the raffle and the way it was handled. I actually praised the tournament when a lot of people were knocking it. But it seems the "facts" mean little to your point of view.

 

[mnorwood]

I think the emoticon says it all.... :deadhorse: If you play in pool tournaments this type of situation is very possible. Oh yeah when you go to the bathroom have someone watching the envelope on the light. LOL....

 

[unknownpro]

The WPA is extorting money from pool players by asking for sanctioning fees.