I have remained very quiet during the IPT's recent rise to prominence within the sport of professional pool. I have sat back, I have watched, I have listened and now I feel as if it is time to speak my mind. I will warn you - if you don't like the truth or if you cannot handle hearing the truth - I have filled the following paragraphs with nothing but the truth. The truth should not be hidden, it should not be modified, it should not be avoided. The truth should be told. Sometimes the truth can be quite humbling. That is the case with many of the statements I will make here.
First of all, I am very passionate about the game of pool. I am very passionate about seeing the game of pool experience the popularity it deserves and as a trickle down effect, the players and the industry (as a whole) will benefit from that. I have worked long and hard to bring a positive approach of seeing that dream realized only to have a select few try to prevent it from ever happening. I will break this down into sections, and believe it or not, this is a positive message that will challenge everyone involved with our game, our industry, and our tours. I for one am motivated to see that pool reaps the benefits of our hard work. The IPT does not offer that at all.
My Problem with the IPT
Nothing personal, Mr. Trudeau, or Mr. Sigel, but we have all been through this before. I will resurrect a quote of mine.
"The game of pool will never thrive nor will it ever experience any type of success unless we first unite the players and the industry to work towards a common goal. If we fail to do that, we will never earn the respect of the public, the media, or the people that are part of our industry. If we do not wake up and start to change the infrastructure of how we market ourselves to the public - we will drift away into obscurity and the MPBT players will suffer the consequences. I predict that if something is not done soon, the tour will will eventually collapse from within. I hope I am wrong."
That is a direct quote from my book, The Growling Point. I wrote that in 1995. I'll let your imagination figure out the rest. I was right then, and I am right now. That's some insight on my foresight as it relates to what I am about to say. If I offend anyone, so be it. If I have to offend some people to get this started, I'm more than willing to stand up in your face.
Our game does not need money thrown into the purses. The money this tour is offering is very high compared to what the professional players are used to. The trouble is, the increase in the prize fund should be gradual. We should work our way up to achieve that status. The players, after doing the work necessary to achieve that level of prize money - will appreciate it more. Right now, you have players that are blinded by the money that is being offered. Greed steps in and reason flies out the window. Many of the players have no idea how to handle the little bit of money that is floating around now. The level of responsibility should match the dollar signs.
Before I am marked as being negative about this, remember that I had some very heated discussions with people about this same subject when Don Mackey made the deal with Camel. I was marked as a troublemaker, and branded as an outsider that was trying to cause turmoil because my playing skills would never garnish me any of the Camel Tour prize fund. While that sounded good at the time, at the same insulting me while discounting my foresight, it did nothing to solve the eventual downfall of the MPBT. In 1996, frustrated, I got out of the way to allow that to happen. It was one of the most painful, difficult decisions I had to make, but in 1996, I walked away from professional pool- disgusted. We had allowed the snake to wrap itself around us and choke the life out of us. In the end, the players were left with no professional tour.
In 2000, I publicly asked Don Mackey to address the players, to address the industry, and to apologize for the mess that he had left us with. If anyone knows the exact whereabouts of Donald Mackey, tell him I am still waiting for his response. I think we are at least owed an explanation. Good money says that we never get one.
I bring this up because players are once again distracted by these large amounts of money that are being offered. Nobody is looking at the long term. Nobody. Everyone is imagining cashing that big check. Understand, that not everyone will be cashing big checks. I look at Kevin Trudeau and I see Don Mackey all over again. Same promises, same M.O., same lack of interest in anything but the hype. Players, how many times do we need to get kicked in the balls before we realize that all of these people genuinely believe that we are all as dumb as we look?
Kevin Trudeau, you offer nothing to the players and even less to the billiards industry. You dabble in this, you dabble in that. I have given over 35 years of my life to a game that I love dearly. I will not allow another person to rape our players or our spirit ever again. Keep your money and move on. You are an industry outsider that is coming in to make a score, and by this time next year you'll be planning your escape. Save us all the trouble.
Mike Sigel, how dare you lead the charge with this garbage.
To the younger players:
My generation did not leave you guys much to work with. If it was my fault, I would apologize. Those that are at fault won't admit it. I challenge all of you guys to stop chasing money and unite with a common goal: A successful professional tour that benefits the players, the tour, and the industry. Depsite what others will tell you, it CAN be done.
The the veteran players:
When is "enough" enough? Think about it. In the world of sports we don't matter at all. We're not high on the list of priorities at ESPN or anywhere else for that matter. I'm angry about that. You should be too. Don't hand me this nonsense that the IPT is going to bring you money. Money comes and money goes. If you want to impress me, build a tour that will last. We have great players and great minds that can figure out intricate runout patterns, 100 ball runs, 3 rail kick safes, yet when we ask people to do something simple like put together a tour that works, we fail miserably every single time. We make the same mistakes over and over and fall for the same trick every single time. That is the legacy of our generation. Take back control of our sport. Make the pro tour attractive to prospective sponsors within our industry. The money is there. When you can attract sponsorship from within our industry, then the next logical step is to make the tour attractive to prospective sponsors outside our industry. What we are doing with the IPT is backwards. We've tried this before and we have failed.
To the industry:
If you love this game, then show it. Let it show in your support of the tour, the players, and let it show in how you work with other industry leaders. Until we unite, we will never fully experience our potential for success. This is directed to cuemakers, table manufacturers, wholesalers, instructors, the billard media, etc. We're all in the same boat, not separate lifeboats. Act like it.
To anyone else that may read this:
If you love the game of pool more than you love the money that is drawn to it, then please give me a phone call. I would love to positively work with you to build our sport into something we can all be proud of. If you are part of the pack that likes to criticize people like myself, CJ Wiley, Allen Hopkins, Charlie Williams, Frank Alvarez and others who donate their time and energy to at least attempt to progress our sport into the mainstream, save your energy. I only have time to move forward with this. If you would like to be a part of this, feel free to contact me Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm at 386-208-0011.
If you disgaree with anything I have said here, call me. I am not writing this to cause trouble, or to spark an endless debate. That is wasted energy. I am writing this because I truly love this game and I have this sick sinking feeling in my belly once again. I challenge everyone that reads this to seriously think about everything our game has been through up to this point. Something has to change. I for one, am willing to make that happen.
Blackjack David Sapolis
First of all, I am very passionate about the game of pool. I am very passionate about seeing the game of pool experience the popularity it deserves and as a trickle down effect, the players and the industry (as a whole) will benefit from that. I have worked long and hard to bring a positive approach of seeing that dream realized only to have a select few try to prevent it from ever happening. I will break this down into sections, and believe it or not, this is a positive message that will challenge everyone involved with our game, our industry, and our tours. I for one am motivated to see that pool reaps the benefits of our hard work. The IPT does not offer that at all.
My Problem with the IPT
Nothing personal, Mr. Trudeau, or Mr. Sigel, but we have all been through this before. I will resurrect a quote of mine.
"The game of pool will never thrive nor will it ever experience any type of success unless we first unite the players and the industry to work towards a common goal. If we fail to do that, we will never earn the respect of the public, the media, or the people that are part of our industry. If we do not wake up and start to change the infrastructure of how we market ourselves to the public - we will drift away into obscurity and the MPBT players will suffer the consequences. I predict that if something is not done soon, the tour will will eventually collapse from within. I hope I am wrong."
That is a direct quote from my book, The Growling Point. I wrote that in 1995. I'll let your imagination figure out the rest. I was right then, and I am right now. That's some insight on my foresight as it relates to what I am about to say. If I offend anyone, so be it. If I have to offend some people to get this started, I'm more than willing to stand up in your face.
Our game does not need money thrown into the purses. The money this tour is offering is very high compared to what the professional players are used to. The trouble is, the increase in the prize fund should be gradual. We should work our way up to achieve that status. The players, after doing the work necessary to achieve that level of prize money - will appreciate it more. Right now, you have players that are blinded by the money that is being offered. Greed steps in and reason flies out the window. Many of the players have no idea how to handle the little bit of money that is floating around now. The level of responsibility should match the dollar signs.
Before I am marked as being negative about this, remember that I had some very heated discussions with people about this same subject when Don Mackey made the deal with Camel. I was marked as a troublemaker, and branded as an outsider that was trying to cause turmoil because my playing skills would never garnish me any of the Camel Tour prize fund. While that sounded good at the time, at the same insulting me while discounting my foresight, it did nothing to solve the eventual downfall of the MPBT. In 1996, frustrated, I got out of the way to allow that to happen. It was one of the most painful, difficult decisions I had to make, but in 1996, I walked away from professional pool- disgusted. We had allowed the snake to wrap itself around us and choke the life out of us. In the end, the players were left with no professional tour.
In 2000, I publicly asked Don Mackey to address the players, to address the industry, and to apologize for the mess that he had left us with. If anyone knows the exact whereabouts of Donald Mackey, tell him I am still waiting for his response. I think we are at least owed an explanation. Good money says that we never get one.
I bring this up because players are once again distracted by these large amounts of money that are being offered. Nobody is looking at the long term. Nobody. Everyone is imagining cashing that big check. Understand, that not everyone will be cashing big checks. I look at Kevin Trudeau and I see Don Mackey all over again. Same promises, same M.O., same lack of interest in anything but the hype. Players, how many times do we need to get kicked in the balls before we realize that all of these people genuinely believe that we are all as dumb as we look?
Kevin Trudeau, you offer nothing to the players and even less to the billiards industry. You dabble in this, you dabble in that. I have given over 35 years of my life to a game that I love dearly. I will not allow another person to rape our players or our spirit ever again. Keep your money and move on. You are an industry outsider that is coming in to make a score, and by this time next year you'll be planning your escape. Save us all the trouble.
Mike Sigel, how dare you lead the charge with this garbage.
To the younger players:
My generation did not leave you guys much to work with. If it was my fault, I would apologize. Those that are at fault won't admit it. I challenge all of you guys to stop chasing money and unite with a common goal: A successful professional tour that benefits the players, the tour, and the industry. Depsite what others will tell you, it CAN be done.
The the veteran players:
When is "enough" enough? Think about it. In the world of sports we don't matter at all. We're not high on the list of priorities at ESPN or anywhere else for that matter. I'm angry about that. You should be too. Don't hand me this nonsense that the IPT is going to bring you money. Money comes and money goes. If you want to impress me, build a tour that will last. We have great players and great minds that can figure out intricate runout patterns, 100 ball runs, 3 rail kick safes, yet when we ask people to do something simple like put together a tour that works, we fail miserably every single time. We make the same mistakes over and over and fall for the same trick every single time. That is the legacy of our generation. Take back control of our sport. Make the pro tour attractive to prospective sponsors within our industry. The money is there. When you can attract sponsorship from within our industry, then the next logical step is to make the tour attractive to prospective sponsors outside our industry. What we are doing with the IPT is backwards. We've tried this before and we have failed.
To the industry:
If you love this game, then show it. Let it show in your support of the tour, the players, and let it show in how you work with other industry leaders. Until we unite, we will never fully experience our potential for success. This is directed to cuemakers, table manufacturers, wholesalers, instructors, the billard media, etc. We're all in the same boat, not separate lifeboats. Act like it.
To anyone else that may read this:
If you love the game of pool more than you love the money that is drawn to it, then please give me a phone call. I would love to positively work with you to build our sport into something we can all be proud of. If you are part of the pack that likes to criticize people like myself, CJ Wiley, Allen Hopkins, Charlie Williams, Frank Alvarez and others who donate their time and energy to at least attempt to progress our sport into the mainstream, save your energy. I only have time to move forward with this. If you would like to be a part of this, feel free to contact me Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm at 386-208-0011.
If you disgaree with anything I have said here, call me. I am not writing this to cause trouble, or to spark an endless debate. That is wasted energy. I am writing this because I truly love this game and I have this sick sinking feeling in my belly once again. I challenge everyone that reads this to seriously think about everything our game has been through up to this point. Something has to change. I for one, am willing to make that happen.
Blackjack David Sapolis
