Best amateur pool team in the world?

What is it that is trying to be topped? (Serious Question)

I've read the article 2x and I can't see anything that is incredible or worth saying best amateur pool team in the world?




Roger Long said:
From a sponsor's standpoint, I'd have to say it would be my team - the AZB Boys. Read this article and you'll see what I mean:

http://www.azbilliards.com/rogerlong/roger7.php

I also hereby challenge any pool team in the world to try and top our efforts. (Note: This is a FRIENDLY challenge. :smile:)

Roger
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u12armresl said:
What is it that is trying to be topped? (Serious Question)

I've read the article 2x and I can't see anything that is incredible or worth saying best amateur pool team in the world?
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This is exactly the point of the article. (Serious Answer)

Most pool players constantly cry for the industry to give more back to them, without any thought given as to what they can do to promote their supporters' businesses more. Let's face it, there is only one good reason why any business should want to sponsor pool players, and that reason is - advertising. Good businesses always look for a ROI (Return On Investment). The AZB Boys intend to give Bull Shooters a good ROI, and there are ways to do that without being the 1st place team in any given tournament. Are there any other teams out there doing that? :p

Roger
 
Actually, yes. I was doing it 10 years ago with a worldwide liquor sponsor for our team. We won league, won city and got 3rd in States.

Every week our fees were paid for as well as dinners and liquor, we had not only one set of pool playing attire but several different shirts, hats, jackets, even pool cases. Anywhere we went we were able to promote the product, because one it was on us, and two bars which didn't have it would start to stock it.

When we did what we did notice was taken by the people in the liquor company and they offered that if I wanted to put together another team in the future it would be taken care of even in Vegas.
 
Monsters inc. from Denver Colorado also comes to mind...I would honestly like to see any amateur team beat them, as long as they keep their heads in it I dont think there are any better teams and if there is it's damn close and I would love to see that scary team.
 
Good article as usual Roger.

The bar that sponsors our team started out the new season last year with new league owners sponsoring approx 12 teams 100%. This included several levels and Scotch. Half way thru the season, I heard rumbling that they were going to thin the herd a bit and then only sponsor 50%.

I went to the owners son and mentioned that we liked playing out of his bar
and that we would be happy to pay our 50% if thats the way it was.
He told me not to worry about it as he had us covered.

We try and go to his place at least once if not twice a week for a few games, food and drinks to show him that we also want to support his place in the off season.

League nights are considered a night out so we plan on eating there as well. We treat the staff proper and our waitress also gets tipped well.
When we walk in, the waitress has our drinks on the table before we can get our cues out.

There was one team that opted to go else where when they found out that they were not going to be sponsored 100% any longer. They were the ones that drank coffee and expected free refill all night, drank water and never ate.
There are several teams that do the same yet are the first ones to complain if they think they are not being treated like royalty.
I listen to them complain and silently laugh and just shake my head. They actually believe that they are doing the bar a favor just by being there.
When league starts, I can pretty much guarantee that they will get their full fees back within 2 months, if not sooner. That means the rest of the season is somewhat of a profit for them.


So, if you think that the owners of the place that sponsor your team are not keeping track of what you do and what you spend on your league nights, think again.
It costs $700 per full season for each team and if they aren't getting that back plus, things will change quick. Can't blame them one bit.
After all, it is there business to look after their business.
 
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Best?

Roger Long said:
From a sponsor's standpoint, I'd have to say it would be my team - the AZB Boys. Read this article and you'll see what I mean:

http://www.azbilliards.com/rogerlong/roger7.php

I also hereby challenge any pool team in the world to try and top our efforts. (Note: This is a FRIENDLY challenge. :smile:)

Roger
Click to expand...

Hats off to your team. Your team is a shining example of league pool at the team level. However, no team can claim such fame unless they have won at the big dance, which I believe would be the BCA event at the Riviera. Is it not the biggest amateur team event going? Has there been any team to win it twice? The team from Portugal seems to do very well and is very strong. Is there a masters team event at the Riviera? If so, then that team would be the best. Just my two cents. Enjoy your independence from Great Britain!!
 
While not personally on or a part of them, I believe that there are teams from Indiana to win it more than once with a mix-up of 7 players using 5 at a different time.

Plus there were those years of dominance from Airway billiards and their teams.

Mr. Wiggles said:
Hats off to your team. Your team is a shining example of league pool at the team level. However, no team can claim such fame unless they have won at the big dance, which I believe would be the BCA event at the Riviera. Is it not the biggest amateur team event going? Has there been any team to win it twice? The team from Portugal seems to do very well and is very strong. Is there a masters team event at the Riviera? If so, then that team would be the best. Just my two cents. Enjoy your independence from Great Britain!!
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u12armresl said:
Actually, yes. I was doing it 10 years ago with a worldwide liquor sponsor for our team. We won league, won city and got 3rd in States.

Every week our fees were paid for as well as dinners and liquor, we had not only one set of pool playing attire but several different shirts, hats, jackets, even pool cases. Anywhere we went we were able to promote the product, because one it was on us, and two bars which didn't have it would start to stock it.

When we did what we did notice was taken by the people in the liquor company and they offered that if I wanted to put together another team in the future it would be taken care of even in Vegas.
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Agreed... this happens a LOT. Maybe Arizona isnt the nicest place to play?
 
That's what I'm thinking.

I mean what does it mean to me in Indiana if Bullshooters wins, Ok maybe if I am in that city I go there because I remember the name. But a liquor sponsor is in every bar, most sitdown restaurants, etc. so the demand is incredible. It is great that they are being supported and hopefully the business sees some money back. The ROI you speak of they won't directly know about unless you are passing out cards, free drink with this card, or something like that. You'll never know how much business your league team brought in which puts you in a position of weakness from the negotiation standpoint when the big expenses come up like plane, hotel, entries, quarters (LOL sorry gold Dollars for the valley tables) etc.

The deal was pretty easy to put together since I had a little background, the hard part was winning. It was stated, you do us no good if you don't win so we can put out press releases (even though they probably get put in the can) and promote the team. If you don't produce at the higher levels, then they really want no part of you. And in this tough economy, who knows what the current offer would be.

I had put up a few ad's looking to join a team, not much luck there, so I believe I am going to start a team for the upcoming season in time for 2012 states and we will see what happens.

bearsafety said:
Agreed... this happens a LOT. Maybe Arizona isnt the nicest place to play?
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u12armresl said:
Actually, yes. I was doing it 10 years ago with a worldwide liquor sponsor for our team. We won league, won city and got 3rd in States.

Every week our fees were paid for as well as dinners and liquor, we had not only one set of pool playing attire but several different shirts, hats, jackets, even pool cases. Anywhere we went we were able to promote the product, because one it was on us, and two bars which didn't have it would start to stock it.

When we did what we did notice was taken by the people in the liquor company and they offered that if I wanted to put together another team in the future it would be taken care of even in Vegas.
Click to expand...

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! That's some good teamwork all the way around. :thumbup:

Roger
 
Just to clarify a little; in my original post I said, "From a sponsor's standpoint" I would have to consider my team to be the best in the world.

I know that's an unqualified and biased statement, but maybe it's not so far off the mark when you consider that my "team" is made up of three distinct components: Bull Shooters (they provide a home base), AZBilliards.com (they provide a media voice), and the AZB Boys (they provide a sales force).

Remember, I said in my article that there may be several drivers on any NASCAR racing team, but those drivers alone are not the team. The real team is a combination of all its components: owners, drivers, pit crews, etc. Well, that's the model Bull Shooters' AZB Boys are trying to emulate.

And altogether, I think our "team" in Phoenix is currently the best in the world, in this respect. I know, I know. That's just my own not-so-humble opinion. :p

Roger
 
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