So where is the Bonus Ball annoucement?
- Thread starter Gerry Williams
- Start date
Truth be told, I'm not sure why I picked the "3" number. Working on coffee fumes right now, trying to stay awake. Had to get up at 1:30 to start recording. I may have to make another pot of coffee. My eyes are burning and hurt.
I wish I had some BB players here. I'd put 'em to work and pay them immediately upon completion. :grin-square:
Has BB done any marketing directed to anyone other than a pool audience?
I'm not argueing, I'm sincerely curious.
There was a hiatus on the pay during the construction delay. Though they did get paid some at the beginning, it did cease after the first or second announcement that the start date was being pushed up.
I can't remember how long that delay was now. Was it about 6 months in total from beginning to end?
If the end result is growing interest and making people play the game more, sell it as a show or a sport, whatever you prefer.
The key is: do people from all ages and genders feel like driving to the next pool hall after they've watched your show and pretend they're pro players ?
It's how every other sport works. I know I wanted to pick up my rackets after watching sunday's Wimbledon final. My son did too.
Now that feeling never crossed my mind watching BB, because it doesn't seem like a fun game to play when you don't have the skills. It's just my opinion.
It's probably the best game for skilled players though. But then, one-pocket or rotation also are good games for them.
I'm just questioning the overall idea of selling an elite version of pool (because this IS pool, on a pool table with pool sticks and ball-sized balls), to reach a wide audience which would include mostly recreational players who just want to have fun.
I think BB has some great ideas, but the overall package just doesn't make sense to me.
The league system, the teams, and the tough table are excellent choices. Switch BB with 8-Ball or 9-Ball and you have a winner.
Make it a WPA event and all players from foreign countries will come to play paid by their federations through qualifiers and such things.
But then again, I don't see the big picture apparently. What do I know :grin:
We're working on some fixes but also a couple of big new features... :smile:
The immediate priority for BB is to reorganize itself into something that is financially viable. Since the players are now Bonus Ball's biggest expense, management will probably need to pare down the number of players and teams that they have.
From the player's perspective, they now need to decide whether they want to collectively go down with a sinking ship or jump while they still can. IMO, the players should recognize that the BB business model is beyond redemption and should get out sooner rather than later.
I agree, and I would venture to guess that a lot of them are thinking about that very thought right now, fresh after that meeting informing them of the financial problems. :sorry:
And how is it that ANYONE other than Larry and whomever invested in BB would know that the BB model is beyond redemption?
The guy who did the World Poker Tour was rejected dozens of times and told that his business model would not work. He persevered and finally found a channel that would air his program and it was a success.
UFC was nearly dead with no one wanting to touch it before Dana White found some investors willing to take a shot.
Start-ups of all kinds often burn through years of losses before beginning to turn a profit.
I happen to think that BB is producing content that CAN be sold to television. Hell over here I see FULL DCC one pocket and bank pool matches on Filipino channels.
Stop being negative nellies. If anyone had "the answer" then they would have already done it. Obviously until now no one in pool has figured out the magic solution to making professional pool financially stable. So you know what, just let BB ride and if they die they die and if they succeed then they succeed.
It's a bit silly IMO for anyone to tell the players at this point what they should or should not do. Let's all be very very very real and face the fact that 99% of the players who are involved with BB are broke or nearly broke. They would be in the same financial position without BB. So why not allow them to make up their own minds and take the shot?
Are you going to support them? Of course you're not. So let them live their own lives.
I don't see why they would need to pare down the number of teams. They only have to pay the players that are playing that week. They could have 10 more teams added and still only pay the 12 teams that they need to have 6 matches a weekend.
Like I tell my other friends who try to make a living at pool ... "it's a choice. You can choose to follow your dream but don't biatch or whine ... or face reality and get a job like rest of us".
WPBL Statement
July 9, 2013
Beginning immediately the World Professional Billiard League will go on hiatus from the league’s current schedule. Over the next several weeks, the WPBL will begin a plan to correct mistakes made in the operation of the league by management.
As most fans know, the WPBL endured unforeseen hurdles during the launch of the league. As a consequence of the fraudulent practices by the original contractor on the WPBL Arena's construction, the allotted operating capital for the league’s inaugural season had to be used to finish the construction on the arena. As a result, the WPBL has found itself in a difficult financial predicament only six weeks into the season. Unfortunately, the business model was not executed according to the original plan and consequently did not allow for such a setback. The WPBL has now been forced to re-evaluate our business structure and restart with a cohesive strategy for success.
During the next few weeks, the WPBL staff will take time to redistribute responsibilities and reform our strategies. Two weeks ago the players were informed of the league’s current financial status and have shown an allegiance of support to the WPBL by continuing to play during this time. Furthermore, the players are standing by our decision to recess the league’s season temporarily in an effort to restructure.
Both the WPBL staff and players have overwhelmingly spoke out with words of encouragement regarding the league. Most notably, Scott Frost captain of the Phoenix Fire had this to say: “This league is the present and future of pro pool and I need the fans and the world to believe me when I tell you there’s no other game on earth we want to play. If you see the true passion of myself and all of the other players then you must believe we are behind this game and league 110% and look forward to the future as WPBL players!” Philadelphia Aces captain Darren Appleton added “I love the game, it’s the best game I have ever played. I believe in this game and I plead to the public to give it a chance, because it could be the best thing to happen to professional pool. This concept and game is where the future lies for billiards to become recognized globally and finally taken seriously.”
We at the WPBL acknowledge the mistakes made operating the league. In the coming weeks, we will make every effort to rectify these errors with the cooperation of the staff, players and fans. The WPBL has every intention to continue the 2013 season by executing a newly developed business plan that has the support of the WPBL pros.
During this time off, the WPBL will not only work to strengthen its internal structure, but help fans and skeptics understand how Bonus Ball is played. We recognize that some people are having a difficult time understanding various aspects of the game, including subtle rules, or how the scoring relates to the statistics and league standings. In the coming weeks, we look to improve our relationship with our fans as well as the billiards industry as a whole by responding to industry concerns such as this.
With the number of active billiards players declining throughout the globe, our goal at the WPBL has always to been to reinvigorate the sport whose rich history dates back to the 15th century, by adding proven contemporary sporting elements to the game. At present, although numbering in the millions, billiards fans would have a difficult time finding “pool” on traditional broadcast television. Our mission is to create an outstanding production of a cue sport that is exciting to watch, challenging to play and esthetically pleasing to the eye. We believe that by building the first dedicated billiards arena in the world, it is evident that we are committed to advancing the future of the sport through the creation of Bonus Ball as well as the World Professional Billiard League.
Finally, anyone who has bought WPBL PPV access will be contacted in the coming weeks regarding compensation for their purchase.
On behalf of all involved, we want to thank the fans and the billiard community as a whole, for their patience and understanding during this time. The WPBL staff and players will diligently work over the next few weeks to make improvements in all aspects of the corporation for the betterment of league, the players and the industry.
Continue to follow WPBL for additional updates:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpbltvcom
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WPBLtv
July 9, 2013
Beginning immediately the World Professional Billiard League will go on hiatus from the league’s current schedule. Over the next several weeks, the WPBL will begin a plan to correct mistakes made in the operation of the league by management.
As most fans know, the WPBL endured unforeseen hurdles during the launch of the league. As a consequence of the fraudulent practices by the original contractor on the WPBL Arena's construction, the allotted operating capital for the league’s inaugural season had to be used to finish the construction on the arena. As a result, the WPBL has found itself in a difficult financial predicament only six weeks into the season. Unfortunately, the business model was not executed according to the original plan and consequently did not allow for such a setback. The WPBL has now been forced to re-evaluate our business structure and restart with a cohesive strategy for success.
During the next few weeks, the WPBL staff will take time to redistribute responsibilities and reform our strategies. Two weeks ago the players were informed of the league’s current financial status and have shown an allegiance of support to the WPBL by continuing to play during this time. Furthermore, the players are standing by our decision to recess the league’s season temporarily in an effort to restructure.
Both the WPBL staff and players have overwhelmingly spoke out with words of encouragement regarding the league. Most notably, Scott Frost captain of the Phoenix Fire had this to say: “This league is the present and future of pro pool and I need the fans and the world to believe me when I tell you there’s no other game on earth we want to play. If you see the true passion of myself and all of the other players then you must believe we are behind this game and league 110% and look forward to the future as WPBL players!” Philadelphia Aces captain Darren Appleton added “I love the game, it’s the best game I have ever played. I believe in this game and I plead to the public to give it a chance, because it could be the best thing to happen to professional pool. This concept and game is where the future lies for billiards to become recognized globally and finally taken seriously.”
We at the WPBL acknowledge the mistakes made operating the league. In the coming weeks, we will make every effort to rectify these errors with the cooperation of the staff, players and fans. The WPBL has every intention to continue the 2013 season by executing a newly developed business plan that has the support of the WPBL pros.
During this time off, the WPBL will not only work to strengthen its internal structure, but help fans and skeptics understand how Bonus Ball is played. We recognize that some people are having a difficult time understanding various aspects of the game, including subtle rules, or how the scoring relates to the statistics and league standings. In the coming weeks, we look to improve our relationship with our fans as well as the billiards industry as a whole by responding to industry concerns such as this.
With the number of active billiards players declining throughout the globe, our goal at the WPBL has always to been to reinvigorate the sport whose rich history dates back to the 15th century, by adding proven contemporary sporting elements to the game. At present, although numbering in the millions, billiards fans would have a difficult time finding “pool” on traditional broadcast television. Our mission is to create an outstanding production of a cue sport that is exciting to watch, challenging to play and esthetically pleasing to the eye. We believe that by building the first dedicated billiards arena in the world, it is evident that we are committed to advancing the future of the sport through the creation of Bonus Ball as well as the World Professional Billiard League.
Finally, anyone who has bought WPBL PPV access will be contacted in the coming weeks regarding compensation for their purchase.
On behalf of all involved, we want to thank the fans and the billiard community as a whole, for their patience and understanding during this time. The WPBL staff and players will diligently work over the next few weeks to make improvements in all aspects of the corporation for the betterment of league, the players and the industry.
Continue to follow WPBL for additional updates:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpbltvcom
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WPBLtv
Only 6 weeks into the season. After reading this, I can only come to the conclusion that they obviously knew that they were in financial difficulty from the start and were most likely stringing the players along for as long as they could. These players had their hopes and futures set on this and many moved to Vegas. This, trusting someones word that everything is going great. Someone was taking a huge risk on behalf of the players future and essentially betraying their trust and lives on their word alone. A few like Johnny Archer can over come a set back but most can't. And that ain't cool at all.
Tell me if I'm wrong.
Some were predicting that BB wouldn't last the first season. Who could have guessed that it wouldn't be just 6 weeks. I doubt that they will be coming back. Most of the players will walk if they have no money for rent or food. They'll be asking relatives and friends for a bus ticket back home and that will be all she wrote.
The newly renovated arena will make a great pool hall or miniature golf course. Cheap.
And Larry is back in Canada. Maybe he will be appearing on the Dragon's Den to ask for money.
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I think they honestly were betting on getting several thousand people to pay $169 for a season pass right out of the gate. But the opening weekend streaming failure torpedoed that.
Also they absolutely failed to win the support of the largest gathering of pool fans in the world, the members of azb.
I would have spent all that down time from Jan to may promoting bb across the country with the goal of getting 3000 subscribers in five months.
To me that's where the real failure lies.
Wow... The closest I have gotten to a STG seems like half a hill away... That is one seriously spooky bird
Great pics
Joel, I have a couple of good spots if you like prairie chickens, partridge, pheasants, migratory and what ever else flies.
Just wish we had some wild turkey close but its too far a drive.
A few prairie rattlers here and there but I imagine that yer used to them snakes anyway. No gators tho.
John, it was pretty obvious that the entire membership of AZ was alienated right from the start. Now, they will get zero sympathy. We just got a huge Pfffft.
We weren't the target market.
Just wish we had some wild turkey close but its too far a drive.
A few prairie rattlers here and there but I imagine that yer used to them snakes anyway. No gators tho.
John, it was pretty obvious that the entire membership of AZ was alienated right from the start. Now, they will get zero sympathy. We just got a huge Pfffft.
We weren't the target market.
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The confusing thing about your theory is that from the outset, all we heard was that PPV wasn't the major income generating model for them. So why did this fail right now due to the lack of PPV?
I agree, the whole line of thinking that AZB and pool players in general "weren't the target market" was a MAJOR miscalculation.
It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. Sadly, I'm not surprised. Hopefully the players don't get in too deep because of this.
