Ian Anderson, President of the WPA, speaks with Mike Howerton of AZ Billiards about the pending player contracts.
Listen now: www.americanbilliardradio.com
Listen now: www.americanbilliardradio.com
ABR Special Report: Ian Anderson of the WPA answers questions
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Good interview. A bit simplistic, and I found Anderson a bit evasive on a couple of topics, but he was mostly open and informative.
What I came away with was this. The WPA brings benefits to the players as follows:
What WPA Provides
1) Ensuring IOC recognition of pool
a) Making govt money available to players in many countries
b) Drug testing program administration
c) Ensuring World Games participation
2) Establishment of standards of presentation and behavior
a) Dress code
b) Sponsorship issues
c) Logos on clothing
3) Referee training programs
4) Junior programs and world championships
5) Potential sponsors can define/assess the product (which players are members
6) Legitimacy that WPA ranking point availability brings vitalizes events and improves fields
7) WPA Sanctioned and Member event planning and administration
Why I Feel the WPA Contract Issue is Blowing Up
The main factor for me is that many of the benefits and services provided by the WPA offer little to the American professional player. This is why many an American player is taking the view that “Why should I agree to do things the WPA way when so few of their activities benefit me?” In contrast, many overseas players get far more benefit and are, consequently, keener on having a governing body that manages and positions professional pool worldwide. In short, the results of WPA efforts are far more tangible to overseas pro players than they are to American pro players.
What I came away with was this. The WPA brings benefits to the players as follows:
What WPA Provides
1) Ensuring IOC recognition of pool
a) Making govt money available to players in many countries
b) Drug testing program administration
c) Ensuring World Games participation
2) Establishment of standards of presentation and behavior
a) Dress code
b) Sponsorship issues
c) Logos on clothing
3) Referee training programs
4) Junior programs and world championships
5) Potential sponsors can define/assess the product (which players are members
6) Legitimacy that WPA ranking point availability brings vitalizes events and improves fields
7) WPA Sanctioned and Member event planning and administration
Why I Feel the WPA Contract Issue is Blowing Up
The main factor for me is that many of the benefits and services provided by the WPA offer little to the American professional player. This is why many an American player is taking the view that “Why should I agree to do things the WPA way when so few of their activities benefit me?” In contrast, many overseas players get far more benefit and are, consequently, keener on having a governing body that manages and positions professional pool worldwide. In short, the results of WPA efforts are far more tangible to overseas pro players than they are to American pro players.
Its doubtful a pro pool player will rise to fame like Ronda Rousey did for the UFC. Its a longshot, you get another black widow level star.
But pros that sign will mostly want to know how to avoid penalties and if the penalties are legitimate.
No one wants to show up to an event and be told they aren't allowed to compete because they were caught doing a no-no in private, but was filmed on a camera
But pros that sign will mostly want to know how to avoid penalties and if the penalties are legitimate.
No one wants to show up to an event and be told they aren't allowed to compete because they were caught doing a no-no in private, but was filmed on a camera
Agreed......
The reason for the existence of the WPA is to have consistency of rules and regulations throughout the entire Pool-Billiards World. Sure it would be marvelous to have an organization giving out thousands of dollars in benefits to World Players, but the organization is not a "Millionaire Corporation" and money does not flow-in in grandious amounts. We have to comprehend that Billiards is not a sport in which Big Corporations are making donations left and right.
Another thing we players and fans in the U.S also have to comprehend is that not all Players receive benefits from their own organization/federations. It may seem like it but lets say that in Latin America, most organizations are not wealthy and healthy and many of its players have to seek out sponsorships in order to make it to the "Championship events" they have qualified for. Sometimes they cannot attend the events because their Federation have no money, and unfortunately many sponsors are not willing and/or able to give out thousands of dollars each time these players have to travel to distant events.
The "State" of Pool and Billiards around the World is going through exactly what the U.S. Players are going through. Sometimes the pasture at the other side seems greener, but that is not always the case.
I know, I've been there, and can talk about it.
Harold Acosta - Past President
Puerto Rican Billiards Federation
This interview was long overdue if for no other reason than to clarify some of the scurrilous accusations that have been levelled at Ian Anderson. I am glad that he took the opportunity to tell it as it really is.
The weakness of a Forum of this type is that it allows irresponsible and ignorant people to fabricate information. These views then fall into the 'no smoke without fire' category and ultimately they evolve into being regarded as 'facts'.
Just a few examples from current threads
Smashmouth
WPA is a truly corrupt entity, been saying this for years.
Johnnyt
I hope all the players start to ask for all tournament tables be covered with Champion or anything but Simonis. Put a little dent in the WPA presidents wallet.
Johnnyt - Someone at the WPA must be getting some good smoke. They are having pipe dreams.
These are just a few examples on a related thread but there is plenty more innuendo postings by who do not have the intellect to stop them making these malicious comments. None of them can be backed up by any evidence.
The weakness of a Forum of this type is that it allows irresponsible and ignorant people to fabricate information. These views then fall into the 'no smoke without fire' category and ultimately they evolve into being regarded as 'facts'.
Just a few examples from current threads
Smashmouth
WPA is a truly corrupt entity, been saying this for years.
Johnnyt
I hope all the players start to ask for all tournament tables be covered with Champion or anything but Simonis. Put a little dent in the WPA presidents wallet.
Johnnyt - Someone at the WPA must be getting some good smoke. They are having pipe dreams.
These are just a few examples on a related thread but there is plenty more innuendo postings by who do not have the intellect to stop them making these malicious comments. None of them can be backed up by any evidence.
On reflection although I have long campaigned for players to become WPA members I think that the contract is an ill thought out way to pursue this goal..What needs to happen is for the WPA Constitution to be revamped to give players a chance to debate and vote on policy matters.
If a bunch of players are unhappy about certain Board decisions all they can do is lobby the President and they have no rights to make any official impact on what happens next. That's not democracy.
If a bunch of players are unhappy about certain Board decisions all they can do is lobby the President and they have no rights to make any official impact on what happens next. That's not democracy.
And let's not forget this one:
pro9dg - The WPA is not serving the game well and you could compare it to an old jalopy. You are in the driving seat but the engine is missing and the fuel tank is empty.
If the vehicle cannot be serviced then maybe it is time for the Wrecking Yard.
i stand by that
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Harold. Well said!
Point well taken, the ill feelings are all hearsay and the breadth of the dissension is not easily measured.
I just finished listening to the interview. It was a good discussion and Ian described some clear benefits of the WPA, but I was left with some questions:
- Ian described how some promoter at a tournament (China?) tried to get the players to sign an abusive contract. Ok, but how does the WPA license contract prevent that?
- Does any of this have a practical impact on the "World 14.1" event?
- Ian said the WPA pays for drug tests, but it sounded more theoretical. Are players actually being drug tested?
- Ian described how some promoter at a tournament (China?) tried to get the players to sign an abusive contract. Ok, but how does the WPA license contract prevent that?
- Does any of this have a practical impact on the "World 14.1" event?
- Ian said the WPA pays for drug tests, but it sounded more theoretical. Are players actually being drug tested?
The WPA license contract will require promoters to sanction their event with the WPA, in order to gain access to the top touring pros.
The contract is a big win for organizers working by WPA rules.
The big question about non-WPA events will be answered when pros fall out of line with WPA rules.