AZB Has A Chat With Barry Behrman

justnum said:

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6 or 7 of these arena size seats.

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A concession area.

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This wasn't done on all fire exits.

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This was done on most fire exits. The other side of the door are vendors and vendor equipment. If there was a fire this would be a hazard. I spent weekends listening to firecode lectures.

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Providing tables for vendors.

In short Barry rented a bunch of tables and an empty space, blocked off fire exits and sealed large crowds into a small space.

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BilliardsHQ.com said:

cousin Jay, you tell em' Long live the open!

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jay helfert said:

That is the one exit that leads out to Pat Fleming's studio. It was closed for a good reason, so no one could sneak in. There were NO vendors on the other side of that door. That is a flat lie!

There were many fire exits for spectators to leave the arena if necessary. And it is not a small space by any means, about 30,000 square feet! If you think renting those risers and erecting them is cheap, you are sadly mistaken. Then there is the cost of all those chairs. One more expensive rental. Plus pipe and drape all the way around the arena and over fifty tables with covers. Barry pays for all this.

That is only the beginning. Do you have any idea how much the convention center Audio-Visual department charged for their services, like hanging the lighting and the grid for the TV arena? Let's just say it's a LOT! Plus they put up the giant screen to watch the Accu-Stat matches on. On Barry's tab!

Oh wait a second, I forgot about the housekeeping staff that cleaned the players tables between rounds and provided fresh pitchers of cold water. Then they had to come in at 2 AM each night and clean the entire building! They do not work for free (but you know that and chose to ignore it) and Barry bears that cost as well.

Carrying two million dollars worth of Liability insurance for a week is one more hidden cost. Oh did I forget to mention the staff of ten people that helped to co-ordinate the running of the event. I guess you think everyone works for free. I haven't even gotten into the cost of materials, phone, licenses, mailings, advertising, etc. etc. Barry, Barry and Barry! Are you beginning to get the picture or will you remain justdumb?

I forgot one little thing. The $68,000 that Barry put into the prize money! 50K added, two dozen free entries (at 500 a pop), 4K for extra money to make up for all (40) the early bird $400 entrants), plus 2K in bonus prizes. Hey, it's only 68K, so why mention that little expense.

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justnum said:

I think players would agree that they could pour their own cups of cold water given a cooler. If it helps ease expenses associated with being in the tournament. Like the scheduling of matches and rest.

I agree the trusses for the camera and lights are expensive equipment. That is why players get a discount if they pay early.

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justnum said:

I think players would agree that they could pour their own cups of cold water given a cooler. If it helps ease expenses associated with being in the tournament. Like the scheduling of matches and rest.

I agree the trusses for the camera and lights are expensive equipment. That is why players get a discount if they pay early.

So on paper the only upfront expenses are the arena, equipment and insurance. Maybe the staff is paid after services are rendered, like the players.

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JohnGalt said:

Too bad more people with your clarity and vision don't produce events, we could have a successful tour around the world and we could all get rich!

And yes, I am being sarcastic.

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MikeM said:

I see it's just your brain that is num!

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justnum said:

I am not trying to bash on Barry he had run the tournament forever. I am just discussing the expenses.

Since all the financial transactions haven't been completed a healthy audit would motivate parties to complete the transaction.

If you don't like audits than stick to advertising.

Audits are a lot of work. People have to travel and get information. It isn't easy. It isn't like selling, in an audit you actually have to find details no matter how small. That means checking and double checking the work.

It is even harder when parties do not disclose their books. It makes the guesswork less precise.

It is obvious some posters aren't interested in the payouts of players, they already got what they wanted.

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BilliardsHQ.com said:

I think that az is your place to go to to vent because in your heart you want to promote pool but in your trousers you lack the kahunas? Post

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justnum said:

I am not trying to bash on Barry he had run the tournament forever. I am just discussing the expenses.

Since all the financial transactions haven't been completed a healthy audit would motivate parties to complete the transaction.

If you don't like audits than stick to advertising.

Audits are a lot of work. People have to travel and get information. It isn't easy. It isn't like selling, in an audit you actually have to find details no matter how small. That means checking and double checking the work.

It is even harder when parties do not disclose their books. It makes the guesswork less precise.

It is obvious some posters aren't interested in the payouts of players, they already got what they wanted.

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JohnGalt said:

I think I understand the point of what you're trying to say, and I actually agree with you on some general theories at times, but you type in a style that hurts my head to read. Like fragmented pieces of a dream strung together in a sentence form. I really can't explain it.

If you are saying that all the players should be paid, in full, before everyone considers an event to be successful, then I agree. There are plenty of costs and work involved, which you seem to underestimate. I am aware of these costs and work, but I still think the players should be paid immediately at the conclusion of playing (or next day during business hours, whatever), and there is no excuse for putting players on payment plans. Especially when you run the most prestigious event and all eyes are on you.

Assuming that players will keep coming, because they always do, does not make it acceptable to bait and switch people.

If you say you are going to do something, and then get the ideal situation in which to do it, and you know people are watching to see if you do it, then why not just do it?

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justnum said:

I want Barry and the US Open to succeed it has historic traditions.

How can people help to make it succeed if we aren't allowed to discuss the details.?

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JohnGalt said:

Unfortunately, the prevailing mindset is "something is better than nothing"

Until the players refuse to accept these conditions, nothing will change for them. Darren and Corey could have refused to play until the cash that was promised to be on display was actually put there. And then the crowd would have gotten angry (rightfully so) and the promoter would have had to remedy the problem. By doing what was promised. It's accountability. The players just accept what they're given, because hey, it's better than nothing.

And then lots of people on here just bash you if you question what happened.

It is very sad, and IMO Barry had a chance to refresh the faith that so many people have in him, but it didn't happen. And honestly, it doesn't happen because everyone will be back again to play next year, and Barry knows this. I can't say that he does this mainly because he knows he can get away with it, but I can say that nothing will really happen if he does, so why should he care? He can keep promising one thing and doing another and players will still show up because they want the title.

And if you question what happened, you get bashed and people say "well, what have you done?"

Well, how about what many other successful promoters and events have done? This problem doesn't happen at the amateur events in Vegas all summer (more players, more organization, more money involved), it doesn't happen at Derby City, it doesn't happen at Dragon Promotions events, etc... (if it does, then please excuse my ignorance - it shouldn't happen at any event imo)

So, my question remains, why does it happen at the US Open? How come no one can legitimately explain this?

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justnum said:

I think players would agree that they could pour their own cups of cold water given a cooler. If it helps ease expenses associated with being in the tournament. Like the scheduling of matches and rest.

I agree the trusses for the camera and lights are expensive equipment. That is why players get a discount if they pay early.

So on paper the only upfront expenses are the arena, equipment and insurance. Maybe the staff is paid after services are rendered, like the players.

There are two transactions of expense, the upfront fees you detailed well. And then the tournament prizes. The tournament has two rounds of income before the event takes place and while the event is taking place.

On paper it mostly seems like a follow the guidelines operation and make sure everything gets to the event on time.

The facts on paper are a helpful thing. It seems better than an outdoor festival with similar amenities. There seems to be room for improvement when it comes to people getting around the arena, it was kinda of tight. People had to walk under the seats.

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