Pro Pool players courting disaster

[JCIN]

Nice picture!

Some of that equipment (over $10k worth) is my own, on lend to the studio to help create a future for pool.

Yet you guys will do everything possible to discredit and belittle anyone who is trying something that you can't cash in on, or are unable to understand. It's quite sad really.

I'm not trying to discredit anything. I'm asking simple questions.

How does this thing thats stepping all over existing events plan to sustain?

Will you get six figures worth of equipment if it fails ?

If you don't want to answer thats cool I understand.

 

[DallasHopps]

I did a search for bonus ball merchandise on the Google machine and didn't find anything. How am I supposed to get into watching and sweating the matches without a BB jersey?

Player-signed jerseys would be kind of cool... My collection of Mosconi Cup shirts stopped at the 2 from J Archer that I bought for one of the AZ charity deals.

 

[cleary]

I did a search for bonus ball merchandise on the Google machine and didn't find anything. How am I supposed to get into watching and sweating the matches without a BB jersey?

Player-signed jerseys would be kind of cool... My collection of Mosconi Cup shirts stopped at the 2 from J Archer that I bought for one of the AZ charity deals.

I've tried to buy a Mika jersey several times... no luck.

 

[Scott Lee]

I think the last time it was called the Tower of Babel! It too was built by people with grand ambitions...and we all know what happened to that! :grin: I have no dog in this fight, but I'm definitely in the "wait & see" camp.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

i don't know the story, But i see a big arena built for Pro Pool that was built. It has had it's own setback issues. This, as far as i know has never been attempted.

 

[jay helfert]

I hope that all is well in Tunica also, I consider myself a friend of Gregs also . I also believe in honor. I , as well as other people don't k
now what happened. But until Greg gets on this forum his self and directly tells his side i think trying to influence negativity on a new venture is wrong.
Jay , i don't know the story, But i see a big arena built for Pro Pool that was built. It
has had it's own setback issues. This, as far as i know has never been attempted.
I truly believe all of this came together not to harm or destroy Greg or Mark.
This looks like an independent attempt to do something new. Now it may or may not work, But i sit here and say to myself , Hmmmm Something new. Lets all look at it with binoculars and not a fine toothed comb.
Do pool a big favor Jay. Promote it give it a chance. The players are all there. Lets root for this to succeed. Their backs are already agains't the wall. Wait to pull the trigger.
Sincerley. Gary

Originally I also supported Bonus Ball and spent some time discussing the best way to market it with Barry (who's now gone). But the events of the last several months have caused me to change my mind. The many false starts and the lame excuses that went with them led me to believe that this was a poorly conceived business. After Barry got canned I felt even more that way. And then to begin the schedule right on top of established events was a final straw for me. Whether it's deliberate or not is no different in my mind. It's just a bad idea and more consideration should have gone into the scheduling.

By the way I talk to Greg daily. He may or may not post on this thread. That is completely up to him. The sentiments expressed here are mine and mine alone. But if there are inaccuracies posted by reps of Bonus Ball I speak with Greg before responding.

P.S. Funny you should ask me to do pool a favor. That's almost laughable considering my history of involvement in the sport. Perhaps you should be asking BB to do pool a favor and reconsider their scheduling around the Tunica and Vegas events.

Gary, you won't see me starting a thread like this very often. For me to do this, I must feel like there is a good reason to speak up. And I do!

 

[lee brett]

Seems to me all the people who are against this being a success. Work for burger king with a mcdonalds opening next door. Lets bash them since we work for another company etc etc etc....

Shows how sad and cheap the pool world actually is, someone tries to grow the game and is told instantly it will fail. Well when Tar started how many times was you told it wouldn't work.

Children need to grow up, and keep there spite to themselves. Cleary saying when it fails, so the apa when it was started was told it was going to fail and now look at how big a company it is and how much money it generates.

This is where the problem in pool is, the people who get rich off the amateur leagues have mega money to sustain a pro league and the sport. I hope one day bonus ball has as many members as the BCA or APA, lets see if the league fails then, NO it won't, you know why? because it will put the money back into the pro league and the pro players pockets and not pay for a new 30 bedroom mansion, private jet and boat that the owners of the leagues have.

So no wonder people want to see it fail, because the ones bashing it work for Burger King, when Mcdonalds has arrived and now they are worried it will affect or ruin their business.

It's about time someone done something about it and changed the game, if you think this wont work. I'll give you an example to ponder over. DARTS!!! do you know who the BDO is and how the players boycotted and formed the WDC now called the PDC.

Just like they was told it wouldn't succeed now look who has the last laugh, the BDO is now almost a dead organisation with the worst talent left, because the players wanted to be valued what they are worth.

So in 10 years time, who knows the events that are now, could be full of short stops and the pros only play on TV, where they belong. So keep bashing them and one day you might regret it, when they no longer want to play for anyone who knocked what they are doing, biting the nose off to spite the face comes to mind.....

 

[BryanB]

Me = no dog in this fight either
I will support BB and regular events as much as I can. I've already talked with some of my BCA team and we plan to head over to the BB studio in July to take in a few matches when we can while we are there for BCA Nationals.

As for lack of pros ruining other tournaments, I don't see it happening. It was mentioned earlier in this monster of a thread, with not as many pros filling up the tournament board it opens it up for the lesser players, like me. I know without all those heavy hitters I would have a better chance of cashing.

 

[Jesters]

Seems to me all the people who are against this being a success. Work for burger king with a mcdonalds opening next door. Lets bash them since we work for another company etc etc etc....

Shows how sad and cheap the pool world actually is, someone tries to grow the game and is told instantly it will fail. Well when Tar started how many times was you told it wouldn't work.

Children need to grow up, and keep there spite to themselves. Cleary saying when it fails, so the apa when it was started was told it was going to fail and now look at how big a company it is and how much money it generates.

This is where the problem in pool is, the people who get rich off the amateur leagues have mega money to sustain a pro league and the sport. I hope one day bonus ball has as many members as the BCA or APA, lets see if the league fails then, NO it won't, you know why? because it will put the money back into the pro league and the pro players pockets and not pay for a new 30 bedroom mansion, private jet and boat that the owners of the leagues have.

So no wonder people want to see it fail, because the ones bashing it work for Burger King, when Mcdonalds has arrived and now they are worried it will affect or ruin their business.

It's about time someone done something about it and changed the game, if you think this wont work. I'll give you an example to ponder over. DARTS!!! do you know who the BDO is and how the players boycotted and formed the WDC now called the PDC.

Just like they was told it wouldn't succeed now look who has the last laugh, the BDO is now almost a dead organisation with the worst talent left, because the players wanted to be valued what they are worth.

So in 10 years time, who knows the events that are now, could be full of short stops and the pros only play on TV, where they belong. So keep bashing them and one day you might regret it, when they no longer want to play for anyone who knocked what they are doing, biting the nose off to spite the face comes to mind.....

Lee you just made yourself look stupid, you have said a few things that are not only insulting to people but inaccurate. You have no idea what you are talking about. Do you have a contract with Bonus Ball?? Yes or No will work for that answer.
I will bet that less than 1% of people on here work at either McD's or BK. Silly thing to say.

The BDO not sure on this one but I think Barry Hearn may be in control of that. If thats the case. You can't even count that in because Hearn can make anything work. A different class than Larry. You must know that.

As far as the rest of the TV stuff and all that, I would like to see the list of sponsors of Bonus Ball. Who do they have?? If they have anyone they are doing them a wrong at this point because nobody knows who they are and if I were a sponsor I would not be getting any positve exposure at this point.

The APA or BCA owners do well but not private jets lol. Have you been drinking already today?? 30 room mansions Oh lord. You have no idea.

 

[lee brett]

I will bet that less than 1% of people on here work at either McD's or BK. Silly thing to say.

It is an analogy, now who looks silly.

The BDO not sure on this one but I think Barry Hearn may be in control of that. If thats the case. You can't even count that in because Hearn can make anything work. A different class than Larry. You must know that.


Once again you don't know your stuff, the WDC was formed many many many years before Barry Hearn got involved. So again you look silly


The APA or BCA owners do well but not private jets lol. Have you been drinking already today?? 30 room mansions Oh lord. You have no idea.[/QUOTE]

Larry Hubbard or Mr Bell could afford a private jet, the apa was listed as a top 500 company, 30 bedroom mansion they probably have 2 at least. The apa has approx 250,000 members do you know how much a week they make, i'll let you do the math, so you have no idea!!

 

[bigshooter]

Seems to me all the people who are against this being a success. Work for burger king with a mcdonalds opening next door. Lets bash them since we work for another company etc etc etc....

Shows how sad and cheap the pool world actually is, someone tries to grow the game and is told instantly it will fail. Well when Tar started how many times was you told it wouldn't work.

Children need to grow up, and keep there spite to themselves. Cleary saying when it fails, so the apa when it was started was told it was going to fail and now look at how big a company it is and how much money it generates.

This is where the problem in pool is, the people who get rich off the amateur leagues have mega money to sustain a pro league and the sport. I hope one day bonus ball has as many members as the BCA or APA, lets see if the league fails then, NO it won't, you know why? because it will put the money back into the pro league and the pro players pockets and not pay for a new 30 bedroom mansion, private jet and boat that the owners of the leagues have.

So no wonder people want to see it fail, because the ones bashing it work for Burger King, when Mcdonalds has arrived and now they are worried it will affect or ruin their business.

It's about time someone done something about it and changed the game, if you think this wont work. I'll give you an example to ponder over. DARTS!!! do you know who the BDO is and how the players boycotted and formed the WDC now called the PDC.

Just like they was told it wouldn't succeed now look who has the last laugh, the BDO is now almost a dead organisation with the worst talent left, because the players wanted to be valued what they are worth.

So in 10 years time, who knows the events that are now, could be full of short stops and the pros only play on TV, where they belong. So keep bashing them and one day you might regret it, when they no longer want to play for anyone who knocked what they are doing, biting the nose off to spite the face comes to mind.....

If BB want's to grow the game then stop scheduling on the same dates as other major events. That is not growing the game - that is sabotage because you want the field all to yourself.

You use the analogy of Burger King vs. McDonald's... that is inaccurate.
This is more like McDonald's vs. another McDonald's - a franchise cannot open near another franchise to protect both owners.

All the tourney venues are trying to grow the sport and should be working together not cutting one another's throats.

And as far as those silly rich league owners getting rich off all those suckers... aren't those the same suckers who buy your merchandise?

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems as if you are insulting the pool world that is your customer base.

 

[westcoast]

I will bet that less than 1% of people on here work at either McD's or BK. Silly thing to say.

It is an analogy, now who looks silly.

I think he was referring to the McD/BK comparison as an analogy- meaning most people on this board neither work for (or have investments with) Bonus Ball nor the other promoters mentioned. I think the post that you quoted was also referring to it as an analogy

 

[Fast Lenny]

I'm not trying to discredit anything. I'm asking simple questions.

How does this thing thats stepping all over existing events plan to sustain?

Will you get six figures worth of equipment if it fails ?

If you don't want to answer thats cool I understand.

Some of your questions are in poor taste and to expect an answer to them is as illogical as asking the questions in the first place but it's cool I understand exactly why you are asking them. If someone would be asking some of these questions to you about TAR for no real good reason I cannot see a response coming or a positive one anyway which is to be expected.

 

[westcoast]

If BB want's to grow the game then stop scheduling on the same dates as other major events. That is not growing the game - that is sabotage because you want the field all to yourself.

You use the analogy of Burger King vs. McDonald's... that is inaccurate.
This is more like McDonald's vs. another McDonald's - a franchise cannot open near another franchise to protect both owners.

All the tourney venues are trying to grow the sport and should be working together not cutting one another's throats.

And as far as those silly rich league owners getting rich off all those suckers... aren't those the same suckers who buy your merchandise?

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems as if you are insulting the pool world that is your customer base.

I agree that there is nothing inherently wrong with trying to promote Bonus Ball. The problem is the overlap. I was thinking of heading to Vegas in July to catch the 8 ball tournament. However, I probably won't go if a lot of the big names are missing. That's a shame.

On a side note, I think the pro league concept would work much better with an established game- like 8, 9, or 10 ball. I would watch a league with those disciplines. I'm not very much interested in a game that I consider a gimmick

 

[lee brett]

I think he was referring to the McD/BK comparison as an analogy- meaning most people on this board neither work for (or have investments with) Bonus Ball nor the other promoters mentioned. I think the post that you quoted was also referring to it as an analogy

Lets just say there is a lot of politics in pool, and more going on behind the scenes than people realize. Also last i knew America was a free country.

Players can choose to play where they wish, no one is stealing all the players. Nathan will release all the players held hostage to play their matches then chain them back up.

 

[Banks]

Larry Hubbard or Mr Bell could afford a private jet, the apa was listed as a top 500 company, 30 bedroom mansion they probably have 2 at least. The apa has approx 250,000 members do you know how much a week they make, i'll let you do the math, so you have no idea!!

And maybe Little League baseball should chip in for the MLB.

 

[lee brett]

If BB want's to grow the game then stop scheduling on the same dates as other major events. That is not growing the game - that is sabotage because you want the field all to yourself.

You use the analogy of Burger King vs. McDonald's... that is inaccurate.
This is more like McDonald's vs. another McDonald's - a franchise cannot open near another franchise to protect both owners.

All the tourney venues are trying to grow the sport and should be working together not cutting one another's throats.

And as far as those silly rich league owners getting rich off all those suckers... aren't those the same suckers who buy your merchandise?

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems as if you are insulting the pool world that is your customer base.

They both sell pool, like burgers. And the league owners NOT league operators, i was merely pointing out where all the money is in pool, none of it gets fed back into the game like other sports.

 

[westcoast]

There is a complete disconnect between amateurs and pros in billiards. I'm not talking about AZ land - I'm talking about your average APA, TAP and other league/casual players.

Who wants to sponsor a sport where the amateurs who spend the money aren't paying any attention?

Pool is alive and well in the USA - there are pool tables everywhere in this country and the biggest game is 8 ball. It took forever to get the casual players to play 9-ball and now some are accepting 10-ball.

So now he have this Bonus Ball game with a few colored balls and a new set of rules. The average casual player is not going to embrace this game. Bar owners are certainly not going to rush out and buy a set of bonus balls for their coin-ops.
How can a casual player relate to or invest in a game they don't play?

I could be wrong - BB could bring in masses of young players and revive the sport. I hope so... but I don't think so.

This post is very much on point

It astonishes me how little most amateurs know or care about pro pool. A few months ago, the Swanee tournament occurred here in LA (Bellflower technically)- most of the league players that I'm friends with didn't want to go or were interested but didn't want to pay $15 to watch the best players in the world play. It's kind of a shame actually

Add in the factor of a new gimmicky game like Bonus Ball and I think the support will be even harder to drum up. I wish the opposite, but wishful thinking doesn't make for success alone

 

[Lonestar_jim]

BK and McD's

Both publicly traded companies with obligations to the SEC. Transparency is a given. Nice analogy, but all the people working at either place are not worried that they aren't getting paid come payday.

 

[rayjay]

Where can I buy a BB team hat? Somebody please pm me the info, thx.

 

[nathandumoulin]

Where can I buy a BB team hat? Somebody please pm me the info, thx.

Merchandise, ticket sales, and PPV subscriptions will be available this weekend when our new site launches. Fantasy leagues system comes the following week.

PS. PM Sent.