Barry,
I agree that the state of pool is weak. It is pretty obvious.
I agree that Larry is trying to do something for pool.
But your making it sound like you guys are the only ones doing something for the pool players. How about the $89,000 that CSI is adding in the 3 US Open events in July, the US Bar Table and the Jay Swanson 9-ball?? Not counting the approximate $100,000 we give to our amateur players.
Here is the only thing I was trying to call attention to: THERE HAD TO BE NOTICE THAT THE STARTING DATE WAS GOING TO BE POSTPONED.
Look, I have built a lot of things in my life. And Fatboy is right - las Vegas has a very tough building code and they make life terrible. But it must have been obvious that the nov. 29th date was not going to be met.
Barry states that he is 'treating professional players with the repect due to them'. Does he realize that TAR has danced around Bonus Ball schedules for several months? This has cost the 'players' up to $12,000 in their pockets. And a lot of unnecessary downtime for TAR.
All i am asking for is some consideration. I have voiced this concern to other promoters in the past. When any event changes dates, it basically costs the pool players 2 opportunities to have other events. That means money to the pool players and their fans.
Everybody is supposed to be on the same team. Whether Bonus Ball succeeds or not, the standard games will continue and there will be players and there will be promoters. We all need to treat each other with respect because that will help the game.
This is not crying- this is trying to keep a game from being further fractured.
I am not talking about fiascos like payment at the US Open 9-Ball - I am only referring to honorable, professional promoters that do what they say they will do.
Don't you agree?
Mark Grifin
As far as TAR matches go, its a good opportunity for TAR to get stuff going as it has been awhile since we have seen something. I am not sure how Bonus Ball has affected players going to play considering its up to the players if they want to or not. Two players saying they are booked that weekend can get away from Bonus Ball for that time if they feel its worthwhile.
I imagine during these next couple weeks many players will be here in Vegas with lots of free time so you or Justin should make some phone calls and set something up. TAR will save money on expenses of hotel/airfare, the players make some more money and we all get treated to some good matches which we all enjoy. I know your selection is limited mainly because the two players need to be marketable so its worthwhile because you cannot put in two guys that no one really cares to see which i think is the real reason we have seen Shane so many times which I will gladly watch again but some might be ASO (All Shaned Out). I still am pulling for a Shane vs Frost one pocket match.
I am sure you could promote something quickly (1 week) since the marketing usually goes no further then this site and Facebook along with taking a little time to make a flier. With all the players here too I am sure they will come to sweat it also and maybe get in the booth which would be nice for our ears. I for one do not want to see TAR fade away, I enjoy the matches and have watched nearly all of them. I think people are not seeing the big picture though, if Bonus Ball takes off worldwide then those players become better known and more marketable. Now when you put on a TAR match instead of having a few hundred PPVs you might have several thousand, TAR makes more money and so do the players with better paydays.
As far as Bonus Ball owing anything to anyone in the industry other than the players, they do not. There is a real reason why the people making money in the industry do not work together which is mainly because it is a business, it should be competitive. If Bonus Ball really wanted to screw other people in the industry they could just lock the players in where they cannot play anything besides Bonus Ball but it would not be fair to the players which is what really matters. If a player chooses to stay in Vegas instead of going to an event then it shows that either the pay out for that event is very poor or they just do not want to gamble on laying out serious coin to take a shot to finish top 3 and then sweat maybe getting paid on top of it which is kind of like that saying a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I know there are people trying to put money in the players pockets, you and Greg Sullivan add good money to events but all these events with added money are not free rolls at the cash, they have entry fees, expenses and so on, for the majority its a losing proposition. We as non pro players do not always get it, we see $10,000 first place if they win, but what if they finish 5th/6th, they probably do not even break even. I cannot imagine living like that, the pressure of having to perform at such a high level knowing if you lose you are broke and just laid out the last of your money to play the event.
This coming year though I think any event in Vegas for pro players will have a better turnout such as the BCAPL pro events since many will be living here and the dates do not conflict it appears. I would love to see Bonus Ball do its season here every year on a set schedule and then more tournaments here in Las Vegas, cheap rooms, flights, more to do for everyone and the players have less expenses for an event because they already live here but that would all make too much sense anyway. Lets just have the next tournament in the Alaskan Bush where people are trapped and cannot do anything but be stuck in a place with little or nothing to do besides one casino such as Derby or Turning Stone which most will agree are terrible locations but great tournaments. It is not rocket science that your league event and APA do so well here in Vegas, people look at coming to the event not just for pool but to have a little vacation and fun.
The players need a salary, guaranteed money to showcase their skills and talent, they have devoted their lives to this game and are mostly broke. I enjoy most games but no one has really figured out how to make money off of pool and still make the pro players a real living at the same time. I think some people out there like to see the players struggle and the game down and in the dumps, the game would not be the same if pool was not this dark shady subculture, some get off on that and being around it. That is why pool players are so approachable too and easily accessible, they will even stay at your home if you let them. You do not see athletes in other sports as accessible to people as pool players, I would say that has something to do with money.
Everyone says the industry is fractured but its really broken and needs change because the current formula does not work except for a few people at the top making money but how does it work for the players? I think if the players told you the real deal without being barred from events or having ill will from promoters then you would be stunned I think, it really would be eye opening. Some think they have a clue but really do not know anything that really is going on but when you talk to players who trust you then you see things from their point of view.
I think certain events the players will choose to play Bonus Ball instead of going to a tournament that does not pay out well so either the prize funds get better to attract players or they do not have the star power. With most events if the player does not finish really high in it they lose money and in these times most cant afford to do that. I know for the fans who go to certain tournaments they will have some disappointment but they can still watch them play but the game will just be Bonus Ball. I say do not hate Bonus Ball, hate the tournaments that cant pay to have top talent there, the players should not have to suffer any longer.
P.S. Sorry for the book but I am sure most will not read it anyway and just post more senseless comments.
