I was not commenting on Tunica, only rejecting the notion the players have no responsibility to event producers/promoters in the packaging of the pro pool product.
Article by Badi Nazhat
- Thread starter Houstoer
- Start date
I was not commenting on Tunica, only rejecting the notion the players have no responsibility to event producers/promoters in the packaging of the pro pool product.
.it's no joke to these professional players....it's the sad truth..
There's a reason that EVERY business has managers.....it's common knowledge that people (including professional athletes) need to be managed and pro pool is no different.....as a matter of fact, it's the "Sample Example" of a business that desperately needs management.
Imagine any business where the employees are expected to do a "good job" and they are never told what a "good job" is composed of.....they have no management, no training, no guidance, no direction, no moral support, and worst of all they are not paid one quarter......unless they happen to be fortunate enough to win.......several times.
.....it's no joke....it's the sad truth....
There's a reason that EVERY business has managers.....it's common knowledge that people (including professional athletes) need to be managed and pro pool is no different.....as a matter of fact, it's the "Sample Example" of a business that desperately needs management.
Imagine any business where the employees are expected to do a "good job" and they are never told what a "good job" is composed of.....they have no management, no training, no guidance, no direction, no moral support, and worst of all they are not paid one quarter......unless they happen to be fortunate enough to win.......several times.
.....it's no joke....it's the sad truth....
it's painful walking on the "broken glass" that paves their future.
I understand what you're saying, and please look at it from our point of view for a second.
The promoters have an obligation to the players as well. The players are paying 100% of their expenses, bringing their talent, practicing and putting in a lot of hard earned time, and getting paid 0.....unless they win.
How would you like to dedicate your life to playing a sport at the highest level and be up against this negative business situation and unhealthy scenario.
It's easy to criticize the professional players.....but it's also very difficult to put yourself in their shoes........it's painful walking on the "broken glass" that paves their future and put on a big smile for the cameras......correction, there's not even any TV cameras.
I understand what you're saying, and please look at it from our point of view for a second.
The promoters have an obligation to the players as well. The players are paying 100% of their expenses, bringing their talent, practicing and putting in a lot of hard earned time, and getting paid 0.....unless they win.
How would you like to dedicate your life to playing a sport at the highest level and be up against this negative business situation and unhealthy scenario.
It's easy to criticize the professional players.....but it's also very difficult to put yourself in their shoes........it's painful walking on the "broken glass" that paves their future and put on a big smile for the cameras......correction, there's not even any TV cameras.
The Mosconi Cup is televised, the players are paid and the event is well promoted.
The Mosconi Cup is televised, the players are paid and the event is well promoted.
Barry Hearn knows these things I'm saying is true......ALL his events are televised, the players are taken care of and they feel good about themselves playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The Mosconi Cup has many of the winning components.....we think it lacks the "magic bullet," but it's a class act event with outstanding entertainment quality.
Barry doesn't put the Mosconi Cup on ESPN because he wants them to pay and that's not going to happen...... the reasons are simple.
The show is seen by millions of people in Europe and Asia.
....of course this doesn't do much good in America, and realistically it will take more than a one time event to do much good ......we need a show that is the "same time, same day" to accumulate a vast viewing audience.
The Mosconi Cup is televised, the players are paid and the event is well promoted.
Barry Hearn knows these things I'm saying is true......ALL his events are televised, the players are taken care of and they feel good about themselves playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The Mosconi Cup has many of the winning components.....we think it lacks the "magic bullet," but it's a class act event with outstanding entertainment quality.
Barry doesn't put the Mosconi Cup on ESPN because he wants them to pay and that's not going to happen...... the reasons are simple.
The show is seen by millions of people in Europe and Asia.....of course this doesn't do much good in America, and realistically it will take more than a one time event to do much good ......we need a show that is the "same time, same day" to accumulate a vast viewing audience.
In my case, it's very easy to put myself in the players' shoes.
I am very sensitive to the finances of both promoters and players, having sponsored professional players, served in administrative capacities in our sport on a few occasions, and offering financing to numerous events over the years. I contribute several thousand dollars every single year toward events in the US.
Nowhere have I suggested that all the fault lies with either the players or the promoters for the sad state of pool, but this has been a year in which promoters have gone on record as having had bad experiences with the players that prompted the elimination of some events.
That means that there is a disconnect that has to be addressed. Everybody is responsible.
So getting the best talent isn't the priority and getting audiences isn't the priority.....and making money isn't the priority......and goal setting probably isn't the priority I'd guess.
Actually according to this they failed....at having priorities.
A promoter that isn't trying to get the best talent, to put on the best show, and make profit is not a promoter........they are something else.....and "not caring" is failing.
This would be like a comedian not caring if anyone showed up for their show....and then be ok if no one laughed......then say that the show wasn't a "failure"......???
No one can argue with reasoning like this......because it's unreasonable.
I'm not sure I explained it well... I wrote "sometimes" before all of my claims. Didn't you get this
?For example:
The Mosconi Cup's priority is NOT to have a pro game like 10-Ball, call-shot, race to 21. So this is a priority they don't have.
The EPBF's priority is NOT to bank on the big names who play their events. When a "middle-range" player wins a Eurotour they have so many more players enlisting at the next one.
The World Pool Masters priority was NOT to have a livestream because the program is bought in advance by SKY for 15 x 1 hours slots, for later broadcasting.
CSI's US Opens priority was NOT to be profitable, but to use some of the money earned on the succesful amateurs events to exhibit the pro players on bigger tables, for all the amateurs to see (which is why the entrance was free). This is an invesment.
Bonus Ball's priority was NOT to work with the industry, federations and actors. It was to create a new concept (league, teams), with a new game, in a place set up to high standards.
Badi's priority was NOT to make money on this tournament. It was to record live and still images, talk to the top players and industry leaders (he spent his week in meetings) and use all this knowledge to build for the future.
In all of these ventures, there were priorities. Nothing to do with failures.
Stating your point of view on their failure is irrelevant if you don't ask first to the promoters of each event what their goals are.
Now I have a question that you should be able to answer with a privileged point of view:
What were the goals of the PCA, were they met, and in your opinion did it fail?
I 100% agree with this. In any other sport, if Bonus Ball would have walked into the industry like they did, luring all the players for the biggest f***up in recent history, the players would have been obligated to stick to the "current tour" by contract.
This is the case in Snooker, where the players have the obligation to only play the World Snooker events and cannot play anything else unless they request a specific demand.
And in that respect, the WPA, BCA, EPBF, APBU... They all proved they have absolutely no power over the players. The PBT, the IPT, Bonus Ball... All they could do is watch, threaten the players, and wait for the slow death of these ventures (well Bonus Ball was quick to die).
To get the power needed, they would need to ensure money for the players (which is precisely what World Snooker does), and then it's a healthy relationship, win-win.
But with the current landscape of things, it's near impossible to getting close to this kind of structure for pool. Sadly. And the main reason, as stated by Badi in his letter, is that the federations I mentioned are just here as sanctioning bodies and do nothing to stage their event, seek for sponsorship or grow the game. They just sit there.
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.'if timing is everything and everything is perfect, then timing is perfect
Over the course of the next two weeks we will start to release the actual articles and other pertinent information about the PCA and how the Million Dollar Challenge Tour was a "flash in the pan".....I have wondered why it happened the way it did and the only answer is "it simply wasn't the right time".....who knows about factors like "fate" and timing...."if timing is everything and everything is perfect, then timing is perfect". - with all things considered it appears that the timing is much better now.
The PCA had a mission statement, policies and procedures manuals and a detailed business plan. We hired a Marketing Group, A Public Relations Team, Legal Team, Executive Producers and had a schedule of 12 events that was called 'The Million Dollar Tour'.....the first event was in Dallas Texas at CJ's Billiard Palace, it was called 'The Million Dollar Challenge' because there was an incentive that if a player ran 8 racks in a row they won $25,000, 9 racks was $50,000 and the grand prize was 10 racks for $1,000,000.....of course no one would dream that a player could actually run that many racks for such a significant amount of money.
The PCA co produced (with the WPBA) over 70 ESPN matches seen by over 10,000,000 world wide with thousands of international hours of exposure for the game of pool and it's players.
All together the PCA paid out well over a MILLION DOLLARS to it's membership through the Million Dollar Challenge, ESPN and the remaining PCA Events. The 12 Evens didn't happen as planned and we only did a few more PCA Events....after Earl ran the 11 Racks we couldn't get the Million Dollar Challenge insured again.....and the lawsuit was destined to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to pursue....and the rest is history.
As many already know we are finishing up a documentary about Earl Strickland running 11 straight racks to win the Million Dollar Challenge and in this documentary I will tell the story of what really happened behind the scenes.
I was sworn to a confidentiality agreement for 2.5 years and after it was lifted I already had absorbed myself into the night club business and had very little contact with the "pool world"......I need this 8 year sabbatical to refresh my passion for pocket billiards.
The documentary will make it clear why I was disenchanted with Pro Pool......We now believe the downward cycle has been broken and we will see an upswing in the popularity of pocket billiards.
This won't happen over night, and it will take a lot of time, energy and work......however, it's my opinion that the Game is worth the effort, there are many of us that still believe that is the "Master Game"........and if we are willing to learn, the Game is willing to teach us the way.....the strategy........and the timing.
We're not expected to re invent the wheel of sports marketing......we do need to model what's already been proven to work, using sound business methods with professionals in every necessary position.
The Game is our Teacher
The issues everyone concerned must look over is the promotional "action list"
The WPBA players are more popular than the men's players at this time in history. The WPBA was at Tunica in full force. The Men's players were also there in full force with the exception of Earl Strickland and Dennis Hatch. Johnny Archer, Rodney Morris, Shane Van Boening, Efren Reyes, Fransico Bustemante, Darrin Appleton, Thorston, etc, etc were there.....over 70 in total.
WIth the combination of the WPBA in full force and 90% of the world's most recognized players made the Tunica "Ultimate 10 Ball" Event extremely deep with talent. There's really no way to blame the lack of success on the players in any way, shape or form.
The players didn't do anything wrong, so they shouldn't be included in the responsibility for the failure to draw attendance. The deciding factors are listed below:
The issues everyone concerned must look over is the promotional "action list". Who's responsibility was it to do the following tasks that make up a well executed promotion:
1) Who chose Tunica over Dallas (where it was last time) as the ideal venue to put on this promotional Pocket Billiards Event?
2) Who was hired to take care of the Marketing and Demographic profiles?
3) Who was hired to do the Public Relations ie: Charities, Press Releases, Local Interest Evaluations and Media Promotional strategy.
4) Who was in charge of getting the BIG MEDIA ie: Newspaper Stories, Radio Broadcasts and TV Show negotiations?
5) What was the projection for revenue for the event....did they even have one???
6) Who was in charge of the players and management of the event staff?
7) What was the true intention of the Event - Short Term, and Long Term goals?
8) What would he consider success? Would it be to make a profit, or to generate a certain number of viewers or participants? Was it to highlight certain aspects of the game or specific professionals?
9) What was the media of advertising and who was in charge of doing the Advertising....ie: Advertising Director
10) What was the strategy to develop good will within the industry ie: AZbilliards, and other internet sources that connect to the fans?
The WPBA players are more popular than the men's players at this time in history. The WPBA was at Tunica in full force. The Men's players were also there in full force with the exception of Earl Strickland and Dennis Hatch. Johnny Archer, Rodney Morris, Shane Van Boening, Efren Reyes, Fransico Bustemante, Darrin Appleton, Thorston, etc, etc were there.....over 70 in total.
WIth the combination of the WPBA in full force and 90% of the world's most recognized players made the Tunica "Ultimate 10 Ball" Event extremely deep with talent. There's really no way to blame the lack of success on the players in any way, shape or form.
The players didn't do anything wrong, so they shouldn't be included in the responsibility for the failure to draw attendance. The deciding factors are listed below:
The issues everyone concerned must look over is the promotional "action list". Who's responsibility was it to do the following tasks that make up a well executed promotion:
1) Who chose Tunica over Dallas (where it was last time) as the ideal venue to put on this promotional Pocket Billiards Event?
2) Who was hired to take care of the Marketing and Demographic profiles?
3) Who was hired to do the Public Relations ie: Charities, Press Releases, Local Interest Evaluations and Media Promotional strategy.
4) Who was in charge of getting the BIG MEDIA ie: Newspaper Stories, Radio Broadcasts and TV Show negotiations?
5) What was the projection for revenue for the event....did they even have one???
6) Who was in charge of the players and management of the event staff?
7) What was the true intention of the Event - Short Term, and Long Term goals?
8) What would he consider success? Would it be to make a profit, or to generate a certain number of viewers or participants? Was it to highlight certain aspects of the game or specific professionals?
9) What was the media of advertising and who was in charge of doing the Advertising....ie: Advertising Director
10) What was the strategy to develop good will within the industry ie: AZbilliards, and other internet sources that connect to the fans?
I'm not sure I explained it well... I wrote "sometimes" before all of my claims. Didn't you get this
For example:
The Mosconi Cup's priority is NOT to have a pro game like 10-Ball, call-shot, race to 21. So this is a priority they don't have.
The EPBF's priority is NOT to bank on the big names who play their events. When a "middle-range" player wins a Eurotour they have so many more players enlisting at the next one.
The World Pool Masters priority was NOT to have a livestream because the program is bought in advance by SKY for 15 x 1 hours slots, for later broadcasting.
CSI's US Opens priority was NOT to be profitable, but to use some of the money earned on the succesful amateurs events to exhibit the pro players on bigger tables, for all the amateurs to see (which is why the entrance was free). This is an invesment.
Bonus Ball's priority was NOT to work with the industry, federations and actors. It was to create a new concept (league, teams), with a new game, in a place set up to high standards.
Badi's priority was NOT to make money on this tournament. It was to record live and still images, talk to the top players and industry leaders (he spent his week in meetings) and use all this knowledge to build for the future.
In all of these ventures, there were priorities. Nothing to do with failures.
Stating your point of view on their failure is irrelevant if you don't ask first to the promoters of each event what their goals are.
Now I have a question that you should be able to answer with a privileged point of view:
What were the goals of the PCA, were they met, and in your opinion did it fail?
Interesting list of thoughts. I noticed your from France, but your insights make me think your from the states. Your observations are very accurate and you don't sound like ''that'' Hard Core Pool Player that can easily disturb me, which is refreshing, real and I'm pleasantly surprised. Don't let up with your opinions and difficult questions for pool players. For a business man, these are basic rules of the road riddled consistently with Common Sense.:thumbup2:
This suddenly all makes perfect sense ...
"Badi's priority was NOT to make money on this tournament. It was to record live and still images, talk to the top players and industry leaders (he spent his week in meetings) and use all this knowledge to build for the future".
So the priorities for the $100,000+ invested in the Ultimate 10 Ball Tournament were:
1) Do NOT make money
2) Record Live Images
3) Record Still Images
4) Talk to top players
5) Talk to Industry Leaders
6) Spend a week in meetings
7) Use all this knowledge to build for the future
This all makes perfect sense........
I wonder how long "the future" will be.
and how much water will evaporate before the time comes?
"Badi's priority was NOT to make money on this tournament. It was to record live and still images, talk to the top players and industry leaders (he spent his week in meetings) and use all this knowledge to build for the future".
So the priorities for the $100,000+ invested in the Ultimate 10 Ball Tournament were:
1) Do NOT make money
2) Record Live Images
3) Record Still Images
4) Talk to top players
5) Talk to Industry Leaders
6) Spend a week in meetings
7) Use all this knowledge to build for the future
This all makes perfect sense........
I wonder how long "the future" will be.
and how much water will evaporate before the time comes? 
"Badi's priority was NOT to make money on this tournament. It was to record live and still images, talk to the top players and industry leaders (he spent his week in meetings) and use all this knowledge to build for the future".
So the priorities for the $100,000+ invested in the Ultimate 10 Ball Tournament were:
1) Do NOT make money
2) Record Live Images
3) Record Still Images
4) Talk to top players
5) Talk to Industry Leaders
6) Spend a week in meetings
7) Use all this knowledge to build for the future
This all makes perfect sense........
I wonder how long "the future" will be.
C.J., there was a father and son that came through our area a few years ago and wanted to meet with Keith. They gave him $300 to sign some photos and cuesticks.
We met them at a Starbucks in our area. The father recently passed away. I can't remember their last name, but I'm sure you know them. I think they are from Texas.
Anyway, the son said they have been working on a pool museum for years and year, which is why they are gathering all these pool artifacts, autographs, cues, photos, et cetera. They aren't receiving any income from it, yet they are expending quite a bit in pursuit of this end goal.
After reading this thread, it kind of reminds me of Badi's mission with the Ultimate.
Here's the letter for anyone that hasn't read it - come to you own conclusions
I don't think anyone will ever know the real "mission"....my marketing friend met with Badi several times and came away from the meetings more confused than when he went in.....and this guy is an experienced consultant, well versed in marketing, advertising and implementing strategic business protocol....even willing to help for free {as a favor} with a chance of financial "light" at the end regarding the televised component if filmed in Dallas.
Here's the letter for anyone that hasn't read it - come to you own conclusions what the "mission" was......or was there another "agenda" that isn't quite as obvious? hmmm
I began my journey with the Ultimate Ten Ball Championships due to my love for the game. The skill and artistry required to make those stubborn spheres obey are both amazing and unique. The game has a history of storied battles and is filled with masters like Greenleaf and Mosconi whose very names evoke emotion in the hearts of those who have embraced the game.
The game of late has fallen on bad times. Sponsorships are down, tournaments are down, television seems like yesterday’s dream. Only a handful of professionals can earn a living at their occupation. Pool rooms know more closings than openings, and retailers are finding a smaller audience for their offerings.
Admittedly, the game has found strength in Asia, but even that gem is a sore point as it has helped accelerate the decline of the game in the West. In the three years that I have been involved in the professional game by organizing and completing the Ultimate Ten Ball Championships series, I have met a lot of fine people and made some good friends. I have sympathy for all of them as it appears they have their fortunes tied to a floundering ship. And the problem is that not only is no one bailing the boat, no one even seems to know where the buckets are stored. I assure you there are people that understand "the boat", and the answer is not to "bail with a bucket" the solution involves doing something different, like promoting, marketing and advertising....character development for the players and a strategic business plan.
I have searched for lighthouses in the darkness and I see none. The WPA has as its reason for not organizing its own events the fact that it has no money. But I have not been able to discover a reason that they do not at least hire someone to seek funding for International events, events that they control themselves rather than awaiting the arrival of promoters with their own agendas who allow the WPA to tag their events. The WPA assumes weakness as a posture and then reacts to misfortune with the excuse that the canceled or late-paying WPA events are not their events after all and only the promoters are at fault for anything that goes wrong. They require no firm structure to their events and allow promoters to play fast and loose with schedules and even payouts. It is management by avoidance of responsibility. It is a weak position and one with no track record of success.
For the game to prosper it must have a central point that all may reference. There should be a single organization that shepherds the game along. One group with all of the responsibility and to where all would go for information and to partner with the game. The players and fans alike must agree that this organization writes all of the rules and enforces them uniformly. All promoters at all events should be required to escrow the prize funds with that organization. The very top players (at least the top 3) should have their travel expenses covered by this organization to major international events. We all agree with this
Of course the WPA is already in place and would be the proper body to oversee the game. But the President of the WPA appears hampered at most every turn by the politics of the member Federations. These politics paralyze the WPA itself as what one faction supports another opposes and so progress is frustrated before it begins. Most of the Federations are useless. Africa and Oceania cannot justify their own existence. South America is rudderless and activity there sporadic with very few events and no World Ranking events to offer. The EPBF is the most active body and is to be lauded for their efforts but their efforts have not led to a unification of pool in Europe nor to the progress of the players under their command. Their star players find it necessary to travel far afield to generate even a modest income.
The APBU seems much more interested in influence than in the game. Their actual activities seem to mostly consist of sitting by and watching promoters in China and the Mid-East conduct tournaments without any assistance from the APBU. This does not stop the APBU from collecting sanction fees even though, as with the WPA, what assistance that garners is limited to date protection and generally staying out of the way.
In North America the BCA is the Governing Body of Professional Pool. But the governance is limited to a Ranking System. No events, no player organization, no guidance for promoters. I ran two BCA Ranking events in the USA and never got a single phone call, email or any offer of assistance or support from the BCA. Again, they ‘tagged’ my events as points events, but no assistance or even suggestions were forthcoming. I am told again the reason for this malfeasance is the lack of money and staff. And again I ask: who is responsible for raising the money? If no effort at funding is made then this can not be respected as a valid reason. And plans to take the reins of the game and organize it are laid with great vigor and then lain to rest in committees. Committees will debate as the game crumbles beyond support. Action is needed now. Everyone knows it and no one acts on it.
The players I dearly love have been their own worst enemies for years. They will follow any carrot that comes along rather than doing the work required to right their own ship. When asked why the game is in decline they all have ready answers, but none of them even includes a glimpse in the mirror.
So the solution is to put on a tournament that's priorities are the following??? Interesting, very, very, interesting.....
1) Do NOT make money
2) Record Live Images
3) Record Still Images
4) Talk to top players
5) Talk to Industry Leaders
6) Spend a week in meetings
7) Use all this knowledge to build for the future
No one wants to accept responsibility for a game that has evolved into boring showmanship that cannot attract an audience. No one will step up and organize a true players group that works to progress the game and its future rather than the agenda of some small group or even individual.
The latest incarnation of a players union is the ABP. It does nothing except raise its head every year at the US Open and coerce players into events promoted by members of their self-serving Board. Bonus Ball appeared with a totally unproven promoter and received no attention from the ABP and the ABP ignores that fact. The players sit silent, afraid of their masters. Many of them tell me they did not join the ABP but feel no need to ask that their names be removed from the membership list. They allow their names on that list to be used to attract and abuse sponsorship monies that never find a players’ pocket. The players complain that the promoters are making a living off of their backs. Friends, if promoters were making even decent money there would be lots more promoters. Opportunities would be explored vigorously if they existed. There is only one promoter who is lightening the purses for his own reward and he is the one running your player organization. The ABP sanctions and applies the pressure to its membership to attend the Johnny Archer Classic ($8,000 added) and two events in Louisiana ($7500 added each) but lifts not a finger to fill the field at the $75,000 added Men’s Ultimate Ten Ball Championship. They can encourage fields in Atlanta and New Iberia but not in Tunica even though the added money was much greater. You tell me. Is that politics or solid management? I take no personal insult at the lack of support for my events from the ABP The ABP Players did play and support the tournament, so I'm not sure why this position is being emphasized. But the logic leaves me shaking my head. And the fact that the players actually follow such absurdities is quite sad.
The women have fared no better. In the mid-90’s or so they had lots of their events on ESPN here in the states and they had a gentleman who sold those programs to countries outside of the US. They then lost key personnel and the organization went into reverse. Today they are down to less than a handful of events, one or two that are shown on the ESPN computer channel, none on television, and the overseas market lacks their former expertise to explore.
I came into this professional arena preaching the value of unity and now I leave it with the same message: You will get nowhere as long as you continue your current “protect my pie” policies. If you do not unite to pursue a common goal and become willing to actually do the work required to achieve your goals you will not advance. Your army is running amok at the very moment it needs to be joining ranks. Under no circumstances are competitive interests going to "unite"...the promoters and players have two totally different agendas....the players need to make money for themselves, and so do the promoters....without TV there's no chance to generate enough revenue for both.
I cannot continue to waste my efforts. Had any evidence been shown me that the powers that be would be willing to unite their efforts I would have happily enlarged my tournaments to prize funds exceeding $1,000,000 each year for the next five years. But in the current climate that would be foolhardy. It would constitute making a decision based on emotion rather than logic. this letter emphasized the main incentive was "love for the game".....and there was no plan to make money, is this decision based on emotion or logic? Hmmm
My eyes will remain open. My ears will wait to hear the sounds of a game united in the pursuit of a common goal. My passion is not gone but reason demands a long pause and a wait until the leaders of the game decide to lead and the players begin to understand who should be followed and who should be ignored. I unfortunately doubt that I will be receiving any positive news. There is no sense of urgency on any front, be it player, federation or governing body, to rescue a drowning pastime from the chilling waters. All seem patient to wait and see if the lake evaporates instead. Because that would be easier. What would be "easier" is to get four events and put them on ESPN with the top 64 players in the world invited with no attention to the "industry leaders".or "top players" (they will all get involved)...get a professional marketing/advertising agency to promote the "daylights" out of the Events, and do the Shows in Dallas, LA, or New York......what's NOT easy is doing what was done in Tunica.
My heart remains with you,
Badi Nazhat
C.J., there was a father and son that came through our area a few years ago and wanted to meet with Keith. They gave him $300 to sign some photos and cuesticks.
We met them at a Starbucks in our area. The father recently passed away. I can't remember their last name, but I'm sure you know them. I think they are from Texas.
Anyway, the son said they have been working on a pool museum for years and year, which is why they are gathering all these pool artifacts, autographs, cues, photos, et cetera. They aren't receiving any income from it, yet they are expending quite a bit in pursuit of this end goal.
After reading this thread, it kind of reminds me of Badi's mission with the Ultimate.
I don't think anyone will ever know the real "mission"....my marketing friend met with Badi several times and came away from the meetings more confused than when he went in.....and this guy is an experienced consultant, well versed in marketing, advertising and implementing strategic business protocol....even willing to help for free {as a favor} with a chance of financial "light" at the end regarding the televised component if filmed in Dallas.
Here's the letter for anyone that hasn't read it - come to you own conclusions what the "mission" was......or was there another "agenda" that isn't quite as obvious? hmmm
I began my journey with the Ultimate Ten Ball Championships due to my love for the game. The skill and artistry required to make those stubborn spheres obey are both amazing and unique. The game has a history of storied battles and is filled with masters like Greenleaf and Mosconi whose very names evoke emotion in the hearts of those who have embraced the game.
The game of late has fallen on bad times. Sponsorships are down, tournaments are down, television seems like yesterday’s dream. Only a handful of professionals can earn a living at their occupation. Pool rooms know more closings than openings, and retailers are finding a smaller audience for their offerings.
Admittedly, the game has found strength in Asia, but even that gem is a sore point as it has helped accelerate the decline of the game in the West. In the three years that I have been involved in the professional game by organizing and completing the Ultimate Ten Ball Championships series, I have met a lot of fine people and made some good friends. I have sympathy for all of them as it appears they have their fortunes tied to a floundering ship. And the problem is that not only is no one bailing the boat, no one even seems to know where the buckets are stored. I assure you there are people that understand "the boat", and the answer is not to "bail with a bucket" the solution involves doing something different, like promoting, marketing and advertising....character development for the players and a strategic business plan.
I have searched for lighthouses in the darkness and I see none. The WPA has as its reason for not organizing its own events the fact that it has no money. But I have not been able to discover a reason that they do not at least hire someone to seek funding for International events, events that they control themselves rather than awaiting the arrival of promoters with their own agendas who allow the WPA to tag their events. The WPA assumes weakness as a posture and then reacts to misfortune with the excuse that the canceled or late-paying WPA events are not their events after all and only the promoters are at fault for anything that goes wrong. They require no firm structure to their events and allow promoters to play fast and loose with schedules and even payouts. It is management by avoidance of responsibility. It is a weak position and one with no track record of success.
For the game to prosper it must have a central point that all may reference. There should be a single organization that shepherds the game along. One group with all of the responsibility and to where all would go for information and to partner with the game. The players and fans alike must agree that this organization writes all of the rules and enforces them uniformly. All promoters at all events should be required to escrow the prize funds with that organization. The very top players (at least the top 3) should have their travel expenses covered by this organization to major international events. We all agree with this
Of course the WPA is already in place and would be the proper body to oversee the game. But the President of the WPA appears hampered at most every turn by the politics of the member Federations. These politics paralyze the WPA itself as what one faction supports another opposes and so progress is frustrated before it begins. Most of the Federations are useless. Africa and Oceania cannot justify their own existence. South America is rudderless and activity there sporadic with very few events and no World Ranking events to offer. The EPBF is the most active body and is to be lauded for their efforts but their efforts have not led to a unification of pool in Europe nor to the progress of the players under their command. Their star players find it necessary to travel far afield to generate even a modest income.
The APBU seems much more interested in influence than in the game. Their actual activities seem to mostly consist of sitting by and watching promoters in China and the Mid-East conduct tournaments without any assistance from the APBU. This does not stop the APBU from collecting sanction fees even though, as with the WPA, what assistance that garners is limited to date protection and generally staying out of the way.
In North America the BCA is the Governing Body of Professional Pool. But the governance is limited to a Ranking System. No events, no player organization, no guidance for promoters. I ran two BCA Ranking events in the USA and never got a single phone call, email or any offer of assistance or support from the BCA. Again, they ‘tagged’ my events as points events, but no assistance or even suggestions were forthcoming. I am told again the reason for this malfeasance is the lack of money and staff. And again I ask: who is responsible for raising the money? If no effort at funding is made then this can not be respected as a valid reason. And plans to take the reins of the game and organize it are laid with great vigor and then lain to rest in committees. Committees will debate as the game crumbles beyond support. Action is needed now. Everyone knows it and no one acts on it.
The players I dearly love have been their own worst enemies for years. They will follow any carrot that comes along rather than doing the work required to right their own ship. When asked why the game is in decline they all have ready answers, but none of them even includes a glimpse in the mirror.
So the solution is to put on a tournament that's priorities are the following??? Interesting, very, very, interesting.....
1) Do NOT make money
2) Record Live Images
3) Record Still Images
4) Talk to top players
5) Talk to Industry Leaders
6) Spend a week in meetings
7) Use all this knowledge to build for the future
No one wants to accept responsibility for a game that has evolved into boring showmanship that cannot attract an audience. No one will step up and organize a true players group that works to progress the game and its future rather than the agenda of some small group or even individual.
The latest incarnation of a players union is the ABP. It does nothing except raise its head every year at the US Open and coerce players into events promoted by members of their self-serving Board. Bonus Ball appeared with a totally unproven promoter and received no attention from the ABP and the ABP ignores that fact. The players sit silent, afraid of their masters. Many of them tell me they did not join the ABP but feel no need to ask that their names be removed from the membership list. They allow their names on that list to be used to attract and abuse sponsorship monies that never find a players’ pocket. The players complain that the promoters are making a living off of their backs. Friends, if promoters were making even decent money there would be lots more promoters. Opportunities would be explored vigorously if they existed. There is only one promoter who is lightening the purses for his own reward and he is the one running your player organization. The ABP sanctions and applies the pressure to its membership to attend the Johnny Archer Classic ($8,000 added) and two events in Louisiana ($7500 added each) but lifts not a finger to fill the field at the $75,000 added Men’s Ultimate Ten Ball Championship. They can encourage fields in Atlanta and New Iberia but not in Tunica even though the added money was much greater. You tell me. Is that politics or solid management? I take no personal insult at the lack of support for my events from the ABP The ABP Players did play and support the tournament, so I'm not sure why this position is being emphasized. But the logic leaves me shaking my head. And the fact that the players actually follow such absurdities is quite sad.
The women have fared no better. In the mid-90’s or so they had lots of their events on ESPN here in the states and they had a gentleman who sold those programs to countries outside of the US. They then lost key personnel and the organization went into reverse. Today they are down to less than a handful of events, one or two that are shown on the ESPN computer channel, none on television, and the overseas market lacks their former expertise to explore.
I came into this professional arena preaching the value of unity and now I leave it with the same message: You will get nowhere as long as you continue your current “protect my pie” policies. If you do not unite to pursue a common goal and become willing to actually do the work required to achieve your goals you will not advance. Your army is running amok at the very moment it needs to be joining ranks. Under no circumstances are competitive interests going to "unite"...the promoters and players have two totally different agendas....the players need to make money for themselves, and so do the promoters....without TV there's no chance to generate enough revenue for both.
I cannot continue to waste my efforts. Had any evidence been shown me that the powers that be would be willing to unite their efforts I would have happily enlarged my tournaments to prize funds exceeding $1,000,000 each year for the next five years. But in the current climate that would be foolhardy. It would constitute making a decision based on emotion rather than logic. this letter emphasized the main incentive was "love for the game".....and there was no plan to make money, is this decision based on emotion or logic? Hmmm
My eyes will remain open. My ears will wait to hear the sounds of a game united in the pursuit of a common goal. My passion is not gone but reason demands a long pause and a wait until the leaders of the game decide to lead and the players begin to understand who should be followed and who should be ignored. I unfortunately doubt that I will be receiving any positive news. There is no sense of urgency on any front, be it player, federation or governing body, to rescue a drowning pastime from the chilling waters. All seem patient to wait and see if the lake evaporates instead. Because that would be easier. What would be "easier" is to get four events and put them on ESPN with the top 64 players in the world invited with no attention to the "industry leaders".or "top players" (they will all get involved)...get a professional marketing/advertising agency to promote the "daylights" out of the Events, and do the Shows in Dallas, LA, or New York......what's NOT easy is doing what was done in Tunica.
My heart remains with you,
Badi Nazhat
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CJ,
can you actually read?
I said his priority was NOT TO make money.
You quote me and rephrase to...
His priority was TO NOT make money.
There's a big difference, and then you carry on making all these pointless phrases based on this. Very disappointing.
Plus, you don't answer about the failure of the PCA.
And when you talk about ESPN needing to be in the loop, you link to a video which is 17 years old...
I'm sure you can do better.
What would be "easier" is to get four events and put them on ESPN with the top 64 players in the world invited with no attention to the "industry leaders".or "top players" (they will all get involved)...get a professional marketing/advertising agency to promote the "daylights" out of the Events, and do the Shows in Dallas, LA, or New York......what's NOT easy is doing what was done in Tunica.
It's a very easy thing to do with a budget of $5-8M approx. That nobody has.
Speaking from experience, I can tell you for instance that in Europe, giving the tapes of the Eurotour hasn't helped. Kozoom produced two years of Eurotours in 2006 and 2007, paid for in large part by the EPBF sponsor Dynamic, and they were working really cheap. Not the price of a standard production company.
Anyways, after a few years apart they joined again and tried to do the same thing in 2011, and at that point Eurosport refused to even take the tapes for free. For FREE.
Something that is free has no value. So if your magic plan is to "give the programs" to ESPN and they will broadcast it, good luck with that.
I know I'm not helping with this, but at least I'm trying to face the truth. The only case in which it makes sense to give a program is to get a new market, I.e. Your program is paid for in the US and you give the tapes to an Asian network, in the hopes that the next year they buy in and co-produce.
But to have to promote the whole thing including the TV is going nowhere. The most famous 3-cushion venture of late, the AGIPI masters, are stopping because of this. The main sponsor is out, the TV has never paid and never budgeted anything for it.
We're doomed.
Well, not really. The ABP and Bonus Ball have the pro player's backs. We're safe, then.
It's a very easy thing to do with a budget of $5-8M approx. That nobody has.
Speaking from experience, I can tell you for instance that in Europe, giving the tapes of the Eurotour hasn't helped. Kozoom produced two years of Eurotours in 2006 and 2007, paid for in large part by the EPBF sponsor Dynamic, and they were working really cheap. Not the price of a standard production company.
Anyways, after a few years apart they joined again and tried to do the same thing in 2011, and at that point Eurosport refused to even take the tapes for free. For FREE.
Something that is free has no value. So if your magic plan is to "give the programs" to ESPN and they will broadcast it, good luck with that.
I know I'm not helping with this, but at least I'm trying to face the truth. The only case in which it makes sense to give a program is to get a new market, I.e. Your program is paid for in the US and you give the tapes to an Asian network, in the hopes that the next year they buy in and co-produce.
But to have to promote the whole thing including the TV is going nowhere. The most famous 3-cushion venture of late, the AGIPI masters, are stopping because of this. The main sponsor is out, the TV has never paid and never budgeted anything for it.
We're doomed.
Well, not really. The ABP and Bonus Ball have the pro player's backs. We're safe, then.
Well said Bill-
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it's difficult but not impossible to accomplish!
-CP
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it's difficult but not impossible to accomplish!
-CP
Tell 'em Joey
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understandably,
it's hard to understand from the outside looking in.
and from the inside,
it's gut-wrenching...
-CP
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understandably,
it's hard to understand from the outside looking in.
and from the inside,
it's gut-wrenching...
-CP
Amen!
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Well stated sir!
from your words to their ears...
Hallelujah Jay!
-A
:thumbup:
____________________________________________________
Well stated sir!
from your words to their ears...
Hallelujah Jay!
-A
:thumbup: