Accu-Stats Signs 2-Year TV Deal for U.S. Open w/ESPN Star Sports

The Renfro said:
Sorry to be the one to burst everyone's bubble but this is the same day not a new one.

ESPN Star bought the rights to the last 2 US Opens and aired them in Asia. We will not be seeing the event on TV here in the good old USA. Either the sport doesn't appeal to advertisers or ESPN wants nothing to do with the Players or maybe a little bit of both.

ESPN Star is not paying 6 figures as someone suggested. If the contract for the next 2 years is of the same scale as the last 2 I think they will barely hit 5 digits and that will not be enough to even cover the production costs. BTW they haven't in the past paid in advance. They paid after they received the final product on Terms.... not sure if it was 30 60 or 90 days.

Don't get me wrong. This is great news on several fronts. It means we know Accu-Stats will be filming and streaming the US Open for the next 2 years. That is good for Pat Fleming, Barry and the pool fans that are willing to buy DVDs and Pay for streams. It also means TV exposure for pool.... in Asia =(

As far as advertising dollars the only thing that will be seen will be players patches and the signage in the arena. ESPN Star will segment the production as they see fit and sell commercial slots and KEEP those revenues. Those advertisers will be Asian companies relevant to the market viewing. The commentators cannot even be relied on to do product shout outs as ESPN Star will not be broadcasting the footage in English.

So in short if the players or anyone else thinks the ship has come in, they are sadly looking at the wrong dock.

I need to point this out again. To qualify for WPA points an event has to have at least 50,000 added. The players have requested that Barry do what it takes to make the US Open qualify. That means he foots the 50,000 added AND the fee to the WPA as well. The US Open needs to be a WPA event in my opinion. To me it is more prestigious than any of the so called World Titles.........
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What's forgotten/tangible, as these players get tougher and tougher competition they will get even better. Keeping that in mind, the public will finally see pool played at an extremely high error free level, and in turn will get hooked on our game....simple plan, difficult to pull off as of late. The production will be key, I hope we get allot of ''pocketing sounds'' thru proper pocket placement of microphones. The feel of the room thru its audience is key to a great show.
 
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Let's get personal.....

Island Drive said:
What's forgotten/tangible, as these players get tougher and tougher competition they will get even better. Keeping that in mind, the public will finally see pool played at an extremely high error free level, and in turn will get hooked on our game....simple plan, difficult to pull off as of late. The production will be key, I hope we get allot of ''pocketing sounds'' thru proper pocket placement of microphones. The feel of the room thru its audience is key to a great show.
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I'm hoping that Accu-Stats will have interviewers roaming the Open getting background information on the players. We need more human interest stories about the players. Let's personalize the players.

Also, while the negotiations should be kept very private, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY ATTEMPT BY EITHER PARTY, ABP or Barry Berman in recent days to negotiate an end to this "hit yourself in the head" boycott problem? Time is running short.
 
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jalapus logan said:
Jay, you should be embarrassed of yourself, you know pool better than this! A pool player must "fly under the radar" in order to earn the big bucks. You didn't get the memo? :rolleyes:
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lol that's the best. During a recent memorial tournament streamed online, there was a possibility that the finals wouldn't be taped because one of the 4 left didn't want to be streamed. FOR A MEMORIAL EVENT. Classy eh? Shockingly he didn't make the finals so all was good (WHEW). This kinda stuff blows my mind. Someday these "players" will fade away...someday :cool:
 
JAM said:
Good timing for Pat Fleming and Accu-Stats to sign a 2-year media deal with ESPN Star Sports which is shown in 26 countries in Asia. Pool industry members can now showcase their products via a patch on a player's shirt, which could help boost sales in a currently struggling pool market as exhibited by the number of BCA Expo vendor booths this year compared to other years.

Thanks to the HD equipment utillized by Accu-Stats, it is now compatible with TV viewing on ESPN Star Sports.

Here's the article from AzBilliards Main Page:

Pat Fleming of Accu-Stats Media Productions, David Thomson of Medium Pool and, Barry Behrman and Shannon Behrman Paschall, promotors of the US Open 9-Ball Championships, have confirmed a two year deal to air America's most prestigious event to 26 countries in Asia via ESPN Star Sports.

"Now that Accu-Stats has acquired High Definition(HD) equipment, in 16:9 format, we can meet today's formidable broadcasting standards," assured owner and Hall of Famer Pat Fleming.

"HD certainly increases broadcaster demand," affirmed Medium Pool's David Thomson. "And, that makes my job a lot easier. Now, we can offer the Accu-Stats' product and America's most respected pool tournament worldwide. We even have interest from Iran.

Thomson continued, "It is also stimulating to be working with Barry and Shannon to invite sponsors to participate in the 36 year old event."

"And that makes our job a lot easier," smiled Behrman. "US Open sponsors have an incredible opportunity for exposure in a marketplace that is now global."

David concurred. "Take China, for example. This financial quarter, their economy grew by 10%, pool is booming there and, so has their demand for American products."

Our players should be happy, too. Now massive audiences can put a face to the names they have heard so many times or seen on Accu-Stats Tournament Match Pay-per-View and DVDs.

And, let's not forget, their sponsor's patches will be seen by millions as they compete for the America's most sought-after title. ESPN Star Sports, alone, has 175 million subscribers.

I think this is exciting. I would love for it to also be shown in American ESPN TV, but this is a good stepping stone. Bravo to all those who made this happen! :cool:
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I am concerned that ESPN STAR SPORTS becomes aware that the event is in danger due to this boycott and cancel the contract. All contracts require all parties to disclose material information.

The timing of this can lead to the termination of the contract for failure to disclose and given the parties are from different countries you would be hard pressed determining legal jurisdiction. I am certain one of our lawyer friends would love to chime in on this.

Plus, the dates of the press release from the players pre dates JAM's post if I am not mistaken and could throw a monkey wrench in the works.

The US OPEN benefits from this contract in undisclosed ways and they really should consider the consequences if ESPN STAR SPORTS is upset by the lack of participation.

Plus, the Filipino players have indicated they are joining the boycott as seen in another post/thread!!!!!

THis will be very interesting to see how this plays itself out. I know one thing, it will be for the better to have things cleared up!

I have suggested before a profit sharing arrangement for the winners. BUT, that requires the US OPEN to open up its books and disclose TOO MUCH information. So, the ball is in the US OPENS court and always has been!!!!

KD
 
Kid Dynomite said:
...I have suggested before a profit sharing arrangement for the winners. BUT, that requires the US OPEN to open up its books and disclose TOO MUCH information. So, the ball is in the US OPENS court and always has been!!!!

KD
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bARRY OWNS THE BALL AND THE COURT (gAWDAM cAPS lOCK).

Time will tell.
 
Is there a website or webpage or anything like that to see how many spots are still available in the US Open ?
 
Nostroke said:
This makes it all the more confusing as is that whole page

http://wpa-pool.com/web/tournament_sanctioning_catalogue
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There are requirements other than just money for an event to be WPA sanctioned, but regarding the money portion, an event is eligible to be a sanctioned event if it pays $30,000 in added money. But the minimum added must be $75,000 in order for the event to qualify as a WPA ranking points event.
 
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