US Open, should we support it?

cbi1000

cbi1000

It is what it is...
Silver Member
Let me first start by saying i may or may not have all the facts, so if anyone can chime in that would be great.

It's my understanding that the players didn't get paid for several months after the tournament.

And isn't also true that has not been the first time this has happened?

If so,

At what point do we as fans stick up for the players and also demand the prize money be posted before the tournament starts?

Just a question, looking for opinions.
 
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http://azbilliards.com/2000storya.php?storynum=8129

The delayed payment mention in an article by the AZ staff.

First, he is overall very pleased with the way the event went this year. The field was full, the fan attendance was a new record, and the event went off quite well. He is disturbed by the negativity that some have expressed about his payment plan to Darren Appleton, the winner, but told us that Darren is quite satisfied with the one-month time frame and weekly payments and that he gave Darren the choice of waiting until Monday morning to get his full amount in cash but that Darren did not want to be on an airplane with that much money and wished to keep his Sunday travel plans anyway.
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No, we should let it die and hopefully the pros will have one less tournament and source of income.

I hope you are picking up on a sarcasm cause I'm layin on ya pretty thick!

For real though, I don't see any reason to boycott the US Open. It is to my knowledge, though could be wrong, that players will get paid if they havn't already. If anyone would boycott, it should be the players who have not been paid. But the fans who pay at the gate and watch the stream support the players actually getting paid. The more money they bring in, the more they can add and pay off.
 
cleary said:
No, we should let it die and hopefully the pros will have one less tournament and source of income.

I hope you are picking up on a sarcasm cause I'm layin on ya pretty thick!

For real though, I don't see any reason to boycott the US Open. It is to my knowledge, though could be wrong, that players will get paid if they havn't already. If anyone would boycott, it should be the players who have not been paid. But the fans who pay at the gate and watch the stream support the players actually getting paid. The more money they bring in, the more they can add and pay off.
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So what if some of the players boycott the US Open, then should us fans boycott to show support.

At some point the promoters need to know that you must have the cash. I think if the players know the cash is there on hand we might even see bigger tournaments. Yeah?
 
WIFM....What's in it for ME.

That is the attitude of so many pool players out there when they should be thankful when anyone steps up to offer them a way to win some prize money. I do realize that the US Open requires a financial commitment to cover the entry fee, travel, and hotel stay. That being said, when someone is putting up tens of thousands in added money, how can you threaten to boycott the event when the funds don't add up to cover the added money. This is the longest running, most successful, and best spectator friendly tournament in the USA.

Maybe you can promote some great tournaments and risk your money... only to have the same people you trying to help, complain as though they are entitled to something. And then complain some more while you are losing money.
 
Just to clarify.

This is a discussion about the US Open 9-Ball.



This is NOT A DISCUSSION ABOUT us open 10-BALL!!!!!!!

Mark Griffin

(Our events always pay in full)
 
cbi1000 said:
Let me first start by saying i may or may not have all the facts, so if anyone can chime in that would be great.

It's my understanding that the players didn't get paid for several months after the tournament.

And isn't also true that has not been the first time this has happened?

If so,

At what point do we as fans stick up for the players and also demand the prize money be posted before the tournament starts?

Just a question, looking for opinions.
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As a fan, I feel each player is acting as an individual and by me showing up to the event is the only way to support these players as a group.

Now if the players were actually a Professional Pool Players Association or Union that had an organized tour or events, then I would support the players if they decided to boycot the US Open by not going.

As of right now, this is one of the best things these "pro" players have going for them, so I would support it.
 
A boycott would only hurt the very players you are saying you want to support.

Steve
 
As long as the players support events like US Open 9-ball and any Raya-events, then why should we as fans bother to boycott?

If the players don't get paid or have to wait a year for their winnings, they "deserve" it, imo, cause they know the risk of repeating their previous behaviour, which is basically to do nothing but pay entry, play and hope everything will be ok.
 
The Chipsta said:
WIFM....What's in it for ME.

That is the attitude of so many pool players out there when they should be thankful when anyone steps up to offer them a way to win some prize money. I do realize that the US Open requires a financial commitment to cover the entry fee, travel, and hotel stay. That being said, when someone is putting up tens of thousands in added money, how can you threaten to boycott the event when the funds don't add up to cover the added money. This is the longest running, most successful, and best spectator friendly tournament in the USA.

Maybe you can promote some great tournaments and risk your money... only to have the same people you trying to help, complain as though they are entitled to something. And then complain some more while you are losing money.
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If the players show up then the fans should show up. However, let me ask you this. If the players have to pay for flight, rooms and entry up front why should they not be paid when at the tournament? Why shgould they have to wait months for payment?

I have said this before, but if the players asked Barry if they could give him a post dated check for the entry do you think he would go for that? NO! he would not. So if the players decide to not go then I support them. I have always said that the US Open 9-Ball is the biggest and best US event of the year and a title that all players would like to win. I also think Barry has done a great job over all these years making the event happen.

But until BB says "come to the even and pay me for your entry in a month or so and if you win I will pay you when all the money comes in" he should pay on time. at the event no questions. Why are we even having to have this thread its just aweful.
 
cbi1000 said:
So what if some of the players boycott the US Open, then should us fans boycott to show support.

At some point the promoters need to know that you must have the cash. I think if the players know the cash is there on hand we might even see bigger tournaments. Yeah?
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The reason that doesn't work is because players have no other choice. Either they perform their matches for free, in the black about payment, or they don't have a chance to win big.

People ask for their services and choose to screw them later or pay them off, in either case workers have to wait.

What do you think of the entry fee? Its not like players can delay payment on that because its a hook.
 
I support any movement in favor of requiring money to be held in escrow

i see the WIFM mentality just as much in the fans

we starve for pro pool and as such tolerate all the bs, just like the players, nobody cares about the long term big picture, and I say this without trying to place blame since we all play our part in this

many sports and industries require this by law, getting shafted is that much worse when entry fees are paid in advance, it's a shambles
 
the sham WPA used to actually advertise guaranteed money with their worthless sanctioning, lol when they were actually called on it during the world 10 ball fiasco
 
smashmouth said:
movement
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The movement happened after players got the "shaft." Nobody has done anything because there is nothing to do. Organizers have what players want, money. Players have nothing to bargain with.

What little fan support can be mobilized doesn't amount to anything because nobody has tried anything, as it is, it is an empty threat. What is known is that players play without knowledge about prize money insurance. What is unknown is the effect an organized group of players and fans can do to effect change on tournament regulations?

Stick to what is known. Foolish people take chances on unknowns.
 
bfdlad said:
If the players show up then the fans should show up. However, let me ask you this. If the players have to pay for flight, rooms and entry up front why should they not be paid when at the tournament? Why shgould they have to wait months for payment?

I have said this before, but if the players asked Barry if they could give him a post dated check for the entry do you think he would go for that? NO! he would not. So if the players decide to not go then I support them. I have always said that the US Open 9-Ball is the biggest and best US event of the year and a title that all players would like to win. I also think Barry has done a great job over all these years making the event happen.

But until BB says "come to the even and pay me for your entry in a month or so and if you win I will pay you when all the money comes in" he should pay on time. at the event no questions. Why are we even having to have this thread its just aweful.
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How about credit? Let players play without paying entry fee and when the tournament is over then prize money and entry fees are exchanged.

What difference does it make if entry fees are in early or late? If it does make a difference then the players are also investors.
 
I don't disagree with some of the logic against boycotts


my personal stance for years now has been that nothing has worked and the pro game is dead, with that in mind I'll support almost any different approach to reform and none of the same old same old crap including indifference
 
cbi1000 said:
Let me first start by saying i may or may not have all the facts, so if anyone can chime in that would be great.

It's my understanding that the players didn't get paid for several months after the tournament.

And isn't also true that has not been the first time this has happened?

If so,

At what point do we as fans stick up for the players and also demand the prize money be posted before the tournament starts?

Just a question, looking for opinions.
Click to expand...


So, how many times have you gone to the US Open 9 ball tourney?

I mean, if you're going to boycott it, then what does that mean. How will that encourage the promoter to do better? The fans that go to the US Open 9 ball tournament are mostly local and will go there every year because it's a great time and a great event. They have fun and it's good entertainment that's worth what they pay to see it.

Now, the question is whether the players should boycott the event, and all I can say is that's up to them. I don't get to decide if they should go or not, they do.

So, although I understand you're frustration and desire to do something that you think could make a difference, I don't think this is it. If you want to make a difference then you should patronize those that do it right and not worry about those that you think are doing it wrong. There are plenty of events that are very positive for both fans and players. Focus on those and post some good threads to support them.

Thanks
 
smashmouth said:
I don't disagree with some of the logic against boycotts


my personal stance for years now has been that nothing has worked and the pro game is dead, with that in mind I'll support almost any different approach to reform and none of the same old same old crap including indifference
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Wouldn't you be happier with a different format like instead of alternate breaks it is also alternate breaks and two consecutive turns from the break.

Or how about 5 ball or bowlliards or Pea Pool or Kelly pool, even bumper pool?

Why waste time changing the rules for organizers when you can see "who is the best" in a new format? (Add in mics for trash talking, how about crowd sharking and ...)

Those comments convinced people in the past. Old tricks work the best.
 
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RBC said:
So, although I understand you're frustration and desire to do something that you think could make a difference, I don't think this is it. If you want to make a difference then you should patronize those that do it right and not worry about those that you think are doing it wrong. There are plenty of events that are very positive for both fans and players. Focus on those and post some good threads to support them.

Thanks
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I disagree because that means organizers have a different set of rules. If a pro players makes one mistake during the finals match, it is the difference between 10K or 20K. But if an organizer makes a mistake they can have extensions, change the rules or do whatever they want.

Just supporting the people that have a working model is great, but that is setting up a class system. The organizer will have more room for errors while players do not. Meaning an organizer doesn't have to be as responsible as a player does because they know they have a good record and people will look the other way if a mistake gets found.

Fans want to see who plays the best and who promotes the best. Players constantly have to work on their game. Organizers haven't really changed much, it is still the same format, entry fee, tournament and prize money. As long as the gate is open and people can buy tickets they just need a match to finish.
 
bfdlad said:
If the players show up then the fans should show up. However, let me ask you this. If the players have to pay for flight, rooms and entry up front why should they not be paid when at the tournament? Why shgould they have to wait months for payment?

I have said this before, but if the players asked Barry if they could give him a post dated check for the entry do you think he would go for that? NO! he would not. So if the players decide to not go then I support them. I have always said that the US Open 9-Ball is the biggest and best US event of the year and a title that all players would like to win. I also think Barry has done a great job over all these years making the event happen.

But until BB says "come to the even and pay me for your entry in a month or so and if you win I will pay you when all the money comes in" he should pay on time. at the event no questions. Why are we even having to have this thread its just aweful.
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Post dated checks should not be an issue. Pool players need money management skills. Im a professional in my own field. When I finish a job, be it one day for 2 months, I send an invoice and wait. Most pay within 30 days but some got 90-120 days. I would rather have the money asap, but I can live with people being late. It's larger chuncks of money so u understand why. Am I gonna fire a client because they pay me 3 months late, nope. I can't wait to work for them again. Cause they paid!!!!

At the same time professional ball players get contracts for huge amounts. Must be nice! But they don't get the full sum at once. They get pay checks. It's broken up over the courses of that contract duration of the contract.

When people are willing to get you money, take what you can get and get more when you can. The players earned that money and they should get it. But don't burn a bridge trying to get it and ruin future money.
 
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