trizzat said:I have developed many opinions on the ipt. For the most part I exclusively lurk and have made very few posts, because people are so quick to jump on others about their OPINIONS. I feel very strongly about this subject, so I have forced myself out of lurk mode and decided to voice my OPINION of what is happening. The issue of the IPT is extremely critcal for the advancement of the game we all love.
First, I would like to state that I was very skeptical at first about KT's intentions, as were most. I thought it was most likely a scam and he was going to take all the $899 tour memberships and run, would have been a quick little score. Now that he has invested millions of his own dollars in the tour I can see that is not the case.
This is pool's pivotal moment in history. No one has ever provided such a great opportunity for the game to be boosted to the level of golf, poker, or tennis. Although I know the IPT doesn't offer quite that level of payout or exposure yet he is heading in that direction. We as the pool playing public must support the tour cause if we don't believe in it why would the non pool players, that he is trying to reach, believe in it.
For years people have complained that we need unity in the pool world to further the game. Players and/or promoters would complain about the existing tours and decide the best way to fix it was to start their own tour, which would compete with these flawed tours already in existence. This is what KT is doing, however it is a much bigger deal because he has the money to run right over the existing tours. Running a pool tour is a BUSINESS and KT is treating it as such. One of the objectives in business is to take business away from your competitors.
Up until now most promoters were players themselves who loved the game and wanted to do their part to help further the game, they were insiders. KT is viewed as an outsider and he is coming in to our world with his big business background and making major changes to pool as we know it. It is normal for people to fear change.
As for the existing promoters, such as Barry and Eydie, I feel for you, you have done everything you can for the game we love. The avenues just haven't become available for you to take pool to the level that KT will be able to take it. I don't believe any of us have nearly the money he has to work with. I also ask you not to close up shop or cancel any events just because it clashes with one of the IPT's events. As some have pointed out the IPT will only comprise the top 150 players in the world. I know there are literally thousands of other top players out there, not on the IPT tour that are capable of playing at a world champion level, just look at the brackets for the qualifiers. These players will fill your events and they are capable of showing world class pool to the fans. Your events will not suffer, but prosper. The IPT will with the TV exposure draw many more fans and amatuer players into the game. This will increase the turnout for all of the smaller tournaments.
As for the US Open, it would be a real shame if he cancels due to the schedule clash. Yes, the big names, who are IPT members will be playing the IPT event but this will be an opportunity for many non IPT members to showcase their skills. The US Open title will lose some of its allure without merging with the IPT but it can still be the creme de la creme of amateur tournaments. It could showcase the top non IPT talent in the world and be the who's who of who will be going for their tour card next year. This brings me to my next point.
All existing tours will have to eventually concede that the IPT is the only pro tour. Yes, there will be pro players who fell off the bottom 50 of the tour but until next year they will have to work on their games in the amateur tours and try for another shot in the qualifiers.
Eventually I would hope that they would expand the number of tour members, since there are many more worthy players out there. It would be a shame for only a small percentage of world class players to be able to make a living in one given year.
As for this years selection process of players, I believe KT did what he felt was his best. Prior to the player list release I was a little skeptical due to his friendship with Sigel. I thought he might select a bunch of second rate players and make it the Mike Sigel tour, but he didn't. He selected for the most part world class players and we can argue others are better till were blue in the face. My list would have been different than his but hey he's running the tour not me. Within the next two years only the best will be on tour.
Let me just say that I am not an IPT member and am on the outside looking in, so to speak. I do believe that the future of pool lies in KT's hands and I can only hope he treats it good, pool is in a way all of our's collective baby. Everyone is so nervous that he's going to hurt it.
Anyone who has a problem with what I've said, or my literary skills, can take it up with me at the SBE on the table.
Trizzat (sorry so long, a lot to say as I don't post much)
Very very nice post, thank you for your insight!
Eydie
