CSI - BCAPL; our 7 year anniversary

Mark Griffin said:
It was 7 years ago TODAY - (I know April Fool's Day-lol) - in 2004 that we acquired the BCA Pool League.

I just wanted the pool world to know that it has been a challenge. And I like to think we are improving the pool world. We have a lot of cool things in the mill - but would appreciate some comments on:


What have we done that was GOOD?

What should we do to make it BETTER?

What have we done WRONG?

The sale caused a lot of misunderstandings and hard feelings.
The BCA decided they were going to sell the leagues - I opposed that decision - they hired a broker and I ended up being the high bidder.
I did not cause the sale and only reacted to the situation.

I have been in the pool industry since mid 1960's, and owned my first room in 1969.

Hope everyone will try to work together and make the industry stronger than it is today. The industry needs help - but we need to help ourselves.

The landscape has changed quite a bit in the last 7 years. But so has the world.

Your comments are welcome (and encouraged).

Mark Griffin, CEO
CSI - BCAPL - USAPL
markg@playcsipool.com
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I'm still confused as to who is who and what is what.

I never heard of the CSI until this week.

When I played in the BCA state tourney a few years back, I still don't know if I was playing in your league event or that one where the owners who don't like your league and set up their own. I still don't know.

I don't know how to get into your league, and I want to.

I've never seen any documentation in BD or elsewhere that explains just what's what.

I'm still confused as to what your product is and how (and why, for that matter) to get it.

Jeff Livingston
 
JAM said:
I realize that 7 years up and running is a long time, but have you ever thought about changing the name of the BCAPL to another name, maybe "Griffin Pool League" or "USPL (United States Pool League)"?

Since BCA stands for "Billiard Congress of America," it may be confusing for folks who know there is a difference between BCAPL and BCA.

An endeavor such as this would mean a lot of expense, I realize, in changing logos and prevously existing materials. I was just curious if you ever thought of doing a name change.
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That might help the confusion.

Jeff Livingston
 
Happy 7th Mark you're doing a great job! Looking forward to the years ahead with your vision only good things can happen!
Thanks Denny Stewart
 
Happy 7th!

Happy Birthday! Congrats on 7 successful years. We're old 'Anchorage Billiard Palace' fans-it was always a 'must do' on our yearly fishing trips- and it's great to see the new ventures going as well as they are in tough times. I don't agree that the BCAPL name should be changed. It may be a bit confusing to some, but there's value in that name and I'm sure they were compensated for that in the sale. That being said, you could still start an additional 'Griffin Pool league'. I think there is a spot available for a well run handicapped 9-ball league on big tables on the West Coast, if you know what I mean. Just what you need, another ball in the air, right?:) I don't have much to add as to things that have been done right or wrong because as a place that has never served alcohol, we haven't been a part of the league. I'm currently in the process of changing that and hope to be on board soon. The local players and league operators are excited about it, and we had 10-12 players at the recent BCAPL referee school that was held at Rack'em. One thing I can tell you is that our local players had a great time playing and refereeing at the recent Western BCA in Lincoln City. The tsunami made things interesting, but everyone had fun, got paid, and one even won a pool table. We'll be setting up Ken Smith's brand new 7 foot Diamond Pro-Am this week that he won in the raffle. I can tell you FOR SURE he had a good time. The lucky bastard bought one ticket. Best of luck in the future!

Dave Smith
oldschoolpool.com
 
CSI-BCAPL; our 7th anniversary

Thanks for all of the comments. I will try to get them addressed a little later - today is Monday morning! - lol.

I will say that we have some nice announcements coming up that should be welcomed by the whole billiard industry.

If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: markg@playcsipool.com or 702-719-7665.

I prefer not to use PM because my box always gets full.

Thanks,

Mark Griffin
 
CSI-BCAPL; our 7th anniversary

When we acquired the league system, an LLC was formed. It is CueSports International, LLC. CSI for short. (My grandkid really was into CSI on TV and I thought it was a good name-lol).

But we did business as CSI dba BCA Pool League.
The initial BCA are very well known. The league is the oldest of the national systems. It would take YEARS and a lot of MONEY to change the name. We have the rights to the name BCAPL for MANY years.

What we are doing is rebranding as CSI. The reason for this is that we formed the USA Pool League, and do independent events such as US Bar Table Championships, and US Open 10-Ball and US Open One Pocket.

These are CSI events.
It would get real confusing if BCA Pool Leagues presented the USA Pool Leagues national system.

So the BCAPL is one of several things that CSI does.

Here is an organizational chart showing our structure:
http://www.playbca.com/Contact/OrganizationChart.aspx


Hope that helps - but if it doesn't - contact me.

Mark Griffin
markg@playcsipool.com
 
Mark Griffin said:
(snip)
Hope that helps - but if it doesn't - contact me.

Mark Griffin
markg@playcsipool.com
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Thanks.


CSI-Flowchart-060710-Copy.jpg




The Marketing box in the middle might be better spread across all of the columns just below the CSI box, re the confusion.

Marketing is the highest value in the production chain, imho.

Is the Iowa tourney in Davenport this weekend one of yours?

Jeff Livingston
 
The Marketing box in the middle might be better spread across all of the columns just below the CSI box, re the confusion.

Marketing is the highest value in the production chain, imho.

Is the Iowa tourney in Davenport this weekend one of yours?

Jeff Livingston[/QUOTE]



Jeff,
Thanks for the suggestions. I meant to get back to you because you did post some earlier questions.

It is a little confusing - sometimes I think we are 'alphabet soup' - but there is a method to our madness.

We are not doing an event in Iowa this week.

If you go to www.playbca.com - then click on 'events' - the dropdown menu will have upcoming events. That will tell you the events we are affiliated with.

Thanks,
Mark Griffin
 
Mark Griffin said:
The Marketing box in the middle might be better spread across all of the columns just below the CSI box, re the confusion.

Marketing is the highest value in the production chain, imho.

Is the Iowa tourney in Davenport this weekend one of yours?

Jeff Livingston


Jeff,
Thanks for the suggestions. I meant to get back to you because you did post some earlier questions.

It is a little confusing - sometimes I think we are 'alphabet soup' - but there is a method to our madness.

We are not doing an event in Iowa this week.

If you go to www.playbca.com - then click on 'events' - the dropdown menu will have upcoming events. That will tell you the events we are affiliated with.

Thanks,
Mark Griffin
Click to expand...

Thank YOU for taking your valuable time to help us. That shows the type of quality business Person you are.

I love your tables, btw.

Jeff Livingston
 
Congratulations Mark

I remember when all this was taking place, and all the different rumors floating around. You guys have done a great job, and continue to add new things. It all takes time, money and lots of effort. It's great to see someone, with a great reputation involved in the promotion of pool. There is never any doubt, that everything will be on the up and up, and that all the players will be paid. The leagues seem to be running great. The National tourney is just fabulous, and has the added attraction of Pro events. Keep up the good work, it is appreciated by all who love the sport.
 
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