Boycott of US Open

  • Thread starter Thread starter King Kong
  • Start date Start date

US Open Boycott Survey

  • I am boycotting

    Votes: 11 42.3%

  • I am attending

    Votes: 15 57.7%
  • Total voters
    26
K

King Kong

Guest
I hear a lot of people talk a good game on this board about being a supporter of the sport and doing whats best for it. But, How many of you have reservations and tickets for the 2005 US Open and have left poor Danny Harriman, Mika Immonna and others hanging out to dry just like the UPA. The UPA tried a boycott a few years back and they fell on deaf ears. I do not know Danny or any of the others affected. But, one saying comes to mind and that is "honor among theives" and we do not have honor amongst ourselves but theives do! Honor will not allow me to attend the Open this year or any other year because I feel the trust has been violated. There are other tournaments and I would love to see the support go elsewhere. The New York tournament or another venue that is honorable and working hard to earn your dollars. I just can not see my money lining the pockets of someone that has done this. They are not doing the US Open for the love of the sport. But, the love of money. They make something from it and had various oppertunities to advance the sport and scwandered it. That is just my humble opinion. That is why i started this survey to see who is truely in support of the sport and the players. Otherwise, it's all hot air and smoke and mirrors because you are all talking a good game! The UPA only enlisted a boycott of the players that needed the money most and could not pass up a payout that size. But, you the fans can make your mark and stand up for Justice and the AMERICAN way! So, please state weither you are attending or boycotting until this matter is resolved acceptably to ALL affected parties and make your position known. I am sure the out pooring of support for Danny and Mika may be the catalyst to a speedy settlement.

Sincerely
King Kong
 
You'll have to make your position clearer. Who do you reckon would be the real victims of a boycott? The UPA? Brady Behrman? Others having a financial stake in the event? Danny and Mika? Pro pool in general? The answer, of course, is all of them.

It is not clear to me why you think this is the appropriate way to make a statement, but I'm listening, so please clarify.
 
sjm said:
You'll have to make your position clearer. Who do you reckon would be the real victims of a boycott? The UPA? Brady Behrman? Others having a financial stake in the event? Danny and Mika? Pro pool in general? The answer, of course, is all of them.

It is not clear to me why you think this is the appropriate way to make a statement, but I'm listening, so please clarify.
Click to expand...

I had to post this after I read someones post that said "at $20 a week Danny would be paid by now" that has to sink in that it has been "3 YEARS". The answer to your question is that pool like water will find its own level! If THe US Open must die! So, be it! Others will fill the void and many are trying and they need our support more then someone that has had it and abused it. Just my humble opinion!

KONG
 
King Kong said:
I had to post this after I read someones post that said "at $20 a week Danny would be paid by now" that has to sink in that it has been "3 YEARS". The answer to your question is that pool like water will find its own level! If THe US Open must die! So, be it! Others will fill the void and many are trying and they need our support more then someone that has had it and abused it. Just my humble opinion!

KONG
Click to expand...

Your humble opinion is of great interest to me, KK, and thanks for sharing it.

I wonder whether you're right, though. The case history doesn't seem to validate the supposition that when those who roll the dice in pool-related ventures walk away, others replace them. I recall hearing the same argument when the Camel tour began to fold in 1999 due to RJ Reynolds pulling their money out of pro pool related ventures. Surely somebody will pick up the slack, many suggested back then.

What really happened, though, in terms of men's pro pool, is that the sport became economically smaller and less lucrative in America.

Right now, Brady Behrman is one of few willing to roll the dice on pro pool. Perhaps he isn't squeaky clean in your eyes or those of some others, but who would replace him if the vitality of the US Open were somehow threatened, possibly prompting him to withdraw his financial support from the sport?

It is the "others will fill the void" comment you make that I have a problem with. You may be right, but it sure wasn't so when the Camel Tour folded. That void remains.

Not so cut and dried!
 
I can't vote. There are only two selections, and neither is my situation. I'm sure others will have different factors to consider. You might add some other selections. I have a few suggestions:

A selection for "I am not attending but not boycotting"
A selection for "I am attending under protest and threat of boycott"
A selection for "I have no opinion"
A selection for "Not enough information to decide"

-td <-- always stirring
 
sjm said:
Your humble opinion is of great interest to me, KK, and thanks for sharing it.

I wonder whether you're right, though. The case history doesn't seem to validate the supposition that when those who roll the dice in pool-related ventures walk away, others replace them. I recall hearing the same argument when the Camel tour began to fold in 1999 due to RJ Reynolds pulling their money out of pro pool related ventures. Surely somebody will pick up the slack, many suggested back then.

What really happened, though, in terms of men's pro pool, is that the sport became economically smaller and less lucrative in America.

Right now, Brady Behrman is one of few willing to roll the dice on pro pool. Perhaps he isn't squeaky clean in your eyes or those of some others, but who would replace him if the vitality of the US Open were somehow threatened, possibly prompting him to withdraw his financial support from the sport?

It is the "others will fill the void" comment you make that I have a problem with. You may be right, but it sure wasn't so when the Camel Tour folded. That void remains.

Not so cut and dried!
Click to expand...

Lets be honest here. The city of Chesapeake and the local hotels have a vested interest in the success of the tournament and make your claims of "Financial support being withdrawn" some what of a stretch as they front the US Open to my limited knowledge. There are more tournaments now then in the past big ones and small. Planet-Pool, Joss Tour, Hampton Ridge and other grass roots efforts. But, as far as big tournaments a few exist and we can not omit the fact that MANY bridges in the industry have been burned by the US Open. A long time supporter was brunswick for years and they had to withdraw support.

The Sport was riding the wave of the Color of Money Movie back then and RJ reynolds had the cigarrette scandals and spent money fighting lung cancer lawsuits. They withdrew because they had to. They withdrew almost all advertising campaigns. When is the last time you have seen a cigarette or tobacco add?

The owner of the New York pool room , The New BCA president and others would jump at filling that void. That is why NUTS was created to "UNIFY". There are good room owners around the country that would have something in their place like Q-Masters did for years and hopefully grow it into a hotel just like the OPEN. Additionally, we did not have the BCA and APA leagues back then and they have filled the voids from the RJR reynolds company as well as the Valley Vorge and etc. So, saying the void was not filled is inaccurate and assuming it will not be filled is a strecth at best. Because, people will come from far and wide to see top notch pool at its best. They have limited resources and are selective in what to attend based on various factors such as players in attendance, location, expencses & etc.

I just wanted to clarify further and emphasis my point. Please do not take these comments the wrong way. It just seems you are not willing to let go of the OPEN and no one wants to really. We just can not allow it's prestige be eroded this way. and it is eroding!!!!!!!
 
King Kong said:
I just wanted to clarify further and emphasis my point. Please do not take these comments the wrong way. It just seems you are not willing to let go of the OPEN and no one wants to really. We just can not allow it's prestige be eroded this way. and it is eroding!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Rest assured, KK, I'm not taking your comments, which you have offered both objectively and respectfully, the wrong way. Actually, I've often posted about the decline of the US Open. I've noted in my posts that I feel that both the BCA Open and Derby City have passed it as the two best pool events played in America. Perhaps I'm among many with the pipedream that the US Open can return to its former level of prominence, but yours is a voice of reason and maybe, as you suggest, it just isn't happening.
 
what td said. :)

td873 said:
I can't vote. There are only two selections, and neither is my situation. I'm sure others will have different factors to consider. You might add some other selections. I have a few suggestions:

A selection for "I am not attending but not boycotting"
A selection for "I am attending under protest and threat of boycott"
A selection for "I have no opinion"
A selection for "Not enough information to decide"

-td <-- always stirring
Click to expand...
 
Black-Balled said:
what td said. :)
Click to expand...

I looked into adding those options and I do not have a way to add additonal options to the survey. If you know how or can post instructions I will adjust the poll to include them. Thanks!
 
Boycott

King Kong said:
I hear a lot of people talk a good game on this board about being a supporter of the sport and doing whats best for it. But, How many of you have reservations and tickets for the 2005 US Open and have left poor Danny Harriman, Mika Immonna and others hanging out to dry just like the UPA. The UPA tried a boycott a few years back and they fell on deaf ears. I do not know Danny or any of the others affected. But, one saying comes to mind and that is "honor among theives" and we do not have honor amongst ourselves but theives do! Honor will not allow me to attend the Open this year or any other year because I feel the trust has been violated. There are other tournaments and I would love to see the support go elsewhere. The New York tournament or another venue that is honorable and working hard to earn your dollars. I just can not see my money lining the pockets of someone that has done this. They are not doing the US Open for the love of the sport. But, the love of money. They make something from it and had various oppertunities to advance the sport and scwandered it. That is just my humble opinion. That is why i started this survey to see who is truely in support of the sport and the players. Otherwise, it's all hot air and smoke and mirrors because you are all talking a good game! The UPA only enlisted a boycott of the players that needed the money most and could not pass up a payout that size. But, you the fans can make your mark and stand up for Justice and the AMERICAN way! So, please state weither you are attending or boycotting until this matter is resolved acceptably to ALL affected parties and make your position known. I am sure the out pooring of support for Danny and Mika may be the catalyst to a speedy settlement.

Sincerely
King Kong
Click to expand...

I DONT SEE THAT POINT OF DOING SERIOUS HARM TO ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING POOL TOURNAMENTS AROUND AND MAKING ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS SUFFER BECAUSE 2 PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE UPA AND BERMAN NOW. POOL IS ON ITS LAST LEG'S IN THE COUNRTY FOR MEN AND PRETTY SOON ALL THE MONEY WILL BE OVER SEAS IF THESE THINGS CANT BE WORKED OUT.THERE COULD BE MORE TO THESE PLAYERS GRIPS THAN WHAT WE HEAR. I'LL SAY THIS,I WAS AT THE 9BALL OPEN WHEN 911 HAPPEN AND BARRY DID THE BEST HE COULD UNDER THE SIRCUMSTANCES AND YOU WOULD THINK SOME PLAYERS WOULD BE MORE UNDERSTANING BE THANKFUL THE DAM THING WASNT JUST CANCELED DUE TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY BUT NO,THEY WANT THERE FULL CUT NO MATTER WHAT,WHO CARES 3000 PEOPLE JUST DIED! WHAT IF IT WAS CANCELED LIKE EVERY OTHER SPORT DURING THAT WEEK,THE PLAYERS WOULD HAVE HAD TO SHUT UP OR THEN THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED UN PATRIOTIC,SO BERMAN SHOULD REALLY HAVE JUST CAME OUT OF HIS OFFICE AND SAID SORRY BUT WE HAVE TO MOURN LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNRTY AT THAT TIME AND THEN HE WOULDNT HAVE THIS PROBLEM
 
All I know is this. The more pool players that support these pathetic tournaments being held (UPA Tour) with added monies only going up to 30K, the longer we'll be in the hole. Why would anyone add more money than 30K if the pool players are dumb and desperate enough to play in them for that amount. Not until the day we stand together and stop going to these events and demand more money, then things will change. If you wanna boycott a tournament, it shouldn't be the US open. It should be any other. Just like Don Mackey of the PBT tried to do and partially succeeded. The events of the PBT tour 10 years ago payed 50-75K added EACH event with MULTIPLE events per year. JMO. Take it as you like.
 
LastTwo said:
King Kong, you can't be Bernardo Chavez, so who are you? Are there two King Kongs?

To practice staying down, think of a shot like its a movie and you're one of those weirdos that sit in the theater until the credits stop rolling.
Click to expand...


Hi Last Two,


Clever new signature slogan - could use some of that advice myself!

So how do you know this monkey here is not King Kong?

Chris
 
I support the US Open

Just my own viewpoint, and probably worth just as much as anyone elses.

I've been attending the US Open on and off since the mid 90s. The Pros are not the only attraction that is offered, but they are the largest reason I make plans to attend this event as often as I can.

There are other reasons I attend the event, visiting friends that I don't get to see that often the rest of the year, all the old and new vendors, playing at Q-Masters at night next to the world's best pro players, matching up.

The venue is one of the best in the USA. A convention center that seats 3000 fans for a closeup look at all the matches.

Barry Berhman and his son Brady have had some problems (just like we all do) and have paid the price of these failures. Lost reputation, lost money and an abundance of critics.

Will it ever end? I doubt it, lots of people never forget and will always hold these failures against Barry and Brady as long as this people have a memory, they will beat the 'dead horse' forever.

But for the rest of the "FANS" of the US Open that support the event year after year and remember all the great matches and the past 29 events that have produced such great Champions, WE look forward to the 2005 event as a start of another 30 years of GREAT pocket billiards.

Mr. Berhman and the UPA and WPA have all agreed that the US Open is the BEST tournament in the USA and deserves to be preserved and supported.

Why continue to beat a dead horse? maybe it's because of short sided visions, maybe because it hurt too bad to forgive, maybe you have a better idea?

To complain and not offer a solution is just hot air. What would you do to improve the situation? Boycott? weak.. just weak... BUT, on the positive side, if you've been there in the past and are pissed at Barry, not going will only make more room for the 'positive' FANS that will enjoy the 'show'

Support the US Open and you are supporting the best event in the USA and the best players in the world.
 
Last edited:
TATE said:
Hi Last Two,


Clever new signature slogan - could use some of that advice myself!

So how do you know this monkey here is not King Kong?

Chris
Click to expand...

I don't think Bernardo speaks English that well. Mexpoolplayer might know.
 
cuedoctor said:
I DONT SEE THAT POINT OF DOING SERIOUS HARM TO ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING POOL TOURNAMENTS AROUND AND MAKING ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS SUFFER BECAUSE 2 PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE UPA AND BERMAN NOW. POOL IS ON ITS LAST LEG'S IN THE COUNRTY FOR MEN AND PRETTY SOON ALL THE MONEY WILL BE OVER SEAS IF THESE THINGS CANT BE WORKED OUT.THERE COULD BE MORE TO THESE PLAYERS GRIPS THAN WHAT WE HEAR. I'LL SAY THIS,I WAS AT THE 9BALL OPEN WHEN 911 HAPPEN AND BARRY DID THE BEST HE COULD UNDER THE SIRCUMSTANCES AND YOU WOULD THINK SOME PLAYERS WOULD BE MORE UNDERSTANING BE THANKFUL THE DAM THING WASNT JUST CANCELED DUE TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY BUT NO,THEY WANT THERE FULL CUT NO MATTER WHAT,WHO CARES 3000 PEOPLE JUST DIED! WHAT IF IT WAS CANCELED LIKE EVERY OTHER SPORT DURING THAT WEEK,THE PLAYERS WOULD HAVE HAD TO SHUT UP OR THEN THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED UN PATRIOTIC,SO BERMAN SHOULD REALLY HAVE JUST CAME OUT OF HIS OFFICE AND SAID SORRY BUT WE HAVE TO MOURN LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNRTY AT THAT TIME AND THEN HE WOULDNT HAVE THIS PROBLEM
Click to expand...
You Sir Make my point for me. THE ONLY PERSON HURTING THE LONGEST RUNNING TOURNAMENT IS THE OPEN. nothing I do or anyone else does is hurting it. it is hurting itself. How international is the OPEN when international players are scared to come for fear of not being paid? The sport really needs to clean house SIR. I had a weird analogy hit just now and I had to compare pool to boxing. Because they are both sports were the PROMOTERS are bigger then the players or they think they are. Like Don King says "ONLY IN AMERICA"! Now, thats sad!!

As Far as the excuses for the short fall, please do not sugar coat things. We all know about the US OPEN A.K.A "NEWS AT 11:00". That's why they have funny rules about co-mingling funds in certain places. From your post you are from VA and local to the area and would be saddened by the demise of the event so close to home. So, I say to you! Talk to your boy about handling his business and restoring the good name and reputation of the OPEN. If not for the players, me, you or the residents of chesapeake but for the sport of pool. But, as I said its about the money not the sport otherwise this would have been handled long ago. The Open is not pro-bono work and it is important to note the open has yet to be delayed for funding issues. But, winners from 3 years ago still have not been paid. What kind of sense does that make? Starting a new event when the old event is not squared away! As far as the 3000 people at 911, I am truely saddened and all to my knowledge were willing to work with the OPEN. Additionally, the advertisement listed X amount of money added. If X amount of money was not ADDED they can take another direction with things and attack the OPEN for false advertisement if they were so inclined and attach a lein on the one thing of real value, The US Open name. They could own the name and prevent anyone else from using it or sell it to recoop their winnings to another promoter that wants to pick up the torch. THe name is BIG. They really need to take care of this because the name is really worth something in my humble opinion as well as for the sake of pool in America
 
Tom In Cincy said:
There are other reasons I attend the event, visiting friends that I don't get to see that often the rest of the year, all the old and new vendors, playing at Q-Masters at night next to the world's best pro players, matching up.

The venue is one of the best in the USA. A convention center that seats 3000 fans for a closeup look at all the matches.
Click to expand...

Tap tap tap.
 
Tom In Cincy said:
Just my own viewpoint, and probably worth just as much as anyone elses.

I've been attending the US Open on and off since the mid 90s. The Pros are not the only attraction that is offered, but they are the largest reason I make plans to attend this event as often as I can.

There are other reasons I attend the event, visiting friends that I don't get to see that often the rest of the year, all the old and new vendors, playing at Q-Masters at night next to the world's best pro players, matching up.

The venue is one of the best in the USA. A convention center that seats 3000 fans for a closeup look at all the matches.

Barry Berhman and his son Brady have had some problems (just like we all do) and have paid the price of these failures. Lost reputation, lost money and an abundance of critics.

Will it ever end? I doubt it, lots of people never forget and will always hold these failures against Barry and Brady as long as this people have a memory, they will beat the 'dead horse' forever.

But for the rest of the "FANS" of the US Open that support the event year after year and remember all the great matches and the past 29 events that have produced such great Champions, WE look forward to the 2005 event as a start of another 30 years of GREAT pocket billiards.

Mr. Berhman and the UPA and WPA have all agreed that the US Open is the BEST tournament in the USA and deserves to be preserved and supported.

Why continue to beat a dead horse? maybe it's because of short sided visions, maybe because it hurt too bad to forgive, maybe you have a better idea?

To complain and not offer a solution is just hot air. What would you do to improve the situation? Boycott? weak.. just weak... BUT, on the positive side, if you've been there in the past and are pissed at Barry, not going will only make more room for the 'positive' FANS that will enjoy the 'show'

Support the US Open and you are supporting the best event in the USA and the best players in the world.
Click to expand...

I had to weed throught this and to say I offer no solutions is false. PRESSURE is a solution. MONEY is a solution. If the Opens name and reputation is not held accountable then how do you expect corrective behavior to occur? You do not want the OPEN held accountable and why is that? If enough people indicate distaste with this and hold true to their word. Is the event sponsors going to make their NUT? So, to assure that they do they need to limit as much bad PR as possible and taking care of this matter may help in that regard. Additionally, all they care about is making money and if that is what they covet. Danny is right in his tactics of hitting um where it hurts in the wallet with as much bad PR as possible until it is resolved!

Additionally, let this have occurred to Earl Strickland and all hell would have broken loose. Earl not there and its just not an OPEN and others would insist something was done. But, the smaller names are just road kill to you. Honestly the open is trying to be the premeire tournament and they can not say that when international players are scared to enter! How is some of the less famous great fillipino players going to venture here and not have assurance of getting paid. It is just CRAZY!
 
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