Cuetec Fires Strickland

[!Smorgass Bored]

Let's Get Earl Sponsored By "The View" (and Rosie)

Take a look at this thread, as an example.

Almost 2,000 hits, 93 posts, in about 3-1/2 hours since the thread was initiated, all because of one word:

STRICKLAND
JAM

Strickland ?
I thought it said STREISAND !

Doug
( MEMORIES of the Way We Were )

 

[JAM]

and Strickland will never be a professional...

I understand your sour grapes. Canada has a long way to go before the country will ever enjoy having a world-class champion like Earl Strickland.

We all know where Alex enjoys hanging his hat today.

JAM

 

[sky..]

Earl was detrimental to the Cuetech image? I'd say the product IS detrimental to their image.

 

[JCIN]

Earl Strickland deserves to be treated with the respect that he showed this Cuetech company for 17 years of his pool-shooting career.

That is what I call professional. Cuetech sucks.

JAM

I understand your point JAM.

I also see Cuetech's side. They paid him relativly well for many years. Lots of players wished they had it so good.

Think about it this way. How would your employer react if they sent you to represent them at a conference and you behaved as outlandishly as some of Mr. Strickland's recent outbursts ?

They probably would not take it too well. If the behavior escalated (as Earl's has) you would probably face similar consequences. That's all I'm saying. Earl wasn't really being paid to win so much as represent. Yes, I think Cuetech liked a little of the wild man stuff. But it's obviously gone too far.

I really hope Earl gets it together. He is a tremendous talent.

 

[JAM]

Earl was detrimental to the Cuetech image? I'd say the product IS detrimental to their image.

Now we're talking. That's exactly right.

Cuetech has just shot themselves in the foot. Earl Strickland for 17 years tryied his best to promote the cheap Cuetec metal rod that sounds like a baseball bat when you hit a ball, the poor fellow.

JAM

 

[cueman]

I saw one person ask earlier "why is allison so good if Cuetec sucks so bad?" I have the exact same question. No one seems to want to answer that.

BVal

Here is basically what Earl said after switching from Meucci to Cue Tech. He said Cue Tech did not have the power and action the Meucci had, but it had forced him to improve his finesse game. Allison's game is more about finesse than power, so the cue suits her a little better. Put a custom Meucci made to Earl's specs in his hands and see what he can make that cueball do. It is really amazing. He can do alot of the Mike Massey kind of stuff with it.
Chris
www.cuesmith.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com

 

[JAM]

I understand your point JAM.

I also see Cuetech's side. They paid him relativly well for many years. Lots of players wished they had it so good.

I'm not so sure about how well Cuetech paid Earl Strickland. First off, most sponsors provide a monthly draw.

If you're a pool-shooting globe trotter like Earl Strickland, the draws can be eaten up pretty doggone quick with air fares, hotels, per diem, et cetera.

How much do you think it takes to play pool around the world per annum? Just take a wild guess, and I'll bet you'd be surprised.

JAM

 

[sky..]

When I just started playing pool (back in '99) Cuetec was my "dream cue" Why? because earl was using it! And add in the fact that I didn't know better at that time, I was ready to jump in and buy one. Good thing I was still in high school at that time, and they were pretty expensive in the philippines (around 5,000 pesos for a plain one. roughly $100..hey, that's big money in the philippines.) Thank God I was born late.

 

[cueman]

You'll see how great those metal Cuetec cues are in the coming months. The way they have chosen to dismiss American champion Earl Strickland is disgusting.

Buy American cues. Help support American cuemakers.

USA, all the way. USA, all the way. USA, all the way!

JAM

There you go!
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com

 

[rackmsuckr]

Cuetec may not be the best brand out there, but just as the Riviera isn't the plushest casino you will find on the strip, they both support pool. Janet Shimel has presented many an award and her company sponsors actual tournaments.

If you enter into a contract with someone where they are paying your way into tournaments, putting you up at a hotel and flying you there, then you certainly should be able to muzzle yourself for the duration of the tournament.

I think it may be out of line to publicly print the real reason why he was 'disassociated', however it was probably borne out of frustration with never knowing when the human time bomb would explode and then having to deal with the aftermath of their sponsored player. A sponsor should never have to apologize for their player's antics.

Playing pool well and having a gazillion records should not be a free pass to act like a spoiled 2 year old. Earl will always have my respect for the records he holds and the pool he can play, but zero respect as a professional. There are a multitude of players that can give him the orange crush when it comes to professionalism. I wish him well in finding another sponsor and getting his meds right. Yes, he draws crowds, but then, so do train wrecks.

 

[JCIN]

I'm not so sure about how well Cuetech paid Earl Strickland. First off, most sponsors provide a monthly draw.

If you're a pool-shooting globe trotter like Earl Strickland, the draws can be eaten up pretty doggone quick with air fares, hotels, per diem, et cetera.

How much do you think it takes to play pool around the world per annum? Just take a wild guess, and I'll bet you'd be surprised.

JAM

I would bet Earl had one of the best deals going. I would be very surprised if any American had a better one. Maybe Archer.

I have spent about $3500 in the last 6 months traveling to tournaments. I play in them but it's just to donate. I have no shot but I love the game. I can imagine playing a full schedule is very expensive.

I also would bet that playing pool around the world is a very high risk,low return proposition for anyone.Too many champions not enough money. It sucks but there it is.

I do know Earl had it better than most. It is a shame that Cuetech didn't have more class in the way they ended the deal.

 

[poolcuemaster]

Yea lets start a bonfire at Valley forge to honor Earl and burn up some cheap firewood with stinky plastic glued on top of it i'll light the first pile if you supply the gas and the getaway car since I ain't driving. Leonard

 

[jimmy-leggs]

I'm not so sure about how well Cuetech paid Earl Strickland. First off, most sponsors provide a monthly draw.

If you're a pool-shooting globe trotter like Earl Strickland, the draws can be eaten up pretty doggone quick with air fares, hotels, per diem, et cetera.

How much do you think it takes to play pool around the world per annum? Just take a wild guess, and I'll bet you'd be surprised.

JAM

for strickland ,$100,000.please let us know.

 

[SlickRick_PCS]

I do know Earl had it better than most. It is a shame that Cuetech didn't have more class in the way they ended the deal.

Hey buddy... remember... HE SHATTERED HIS OWN CUE!! It sure wasn't no damn $20 one either. The cue that he held on his hand belonged to the company that sponsored him... backed him up... whatever you call it, it's that!


I can sure than tell you it must be a prestegeous honor to be sponsored with a company that finds Earl to be a spectacular pool player. But for him to be raunting and raving and acting so childish, how would you expect to hold it that long with an individual like him?

As rackmsuckr said, you can have the many titles and experience that will hold you as one of the best, but with a behavior like his is considered unethical and unprofessional (tap... tap... Linda. at least you know what the hell is going on in the billiard business).

Espeically how "politics" is being plagued with how business is running, I would one of these days in my lifetime be grateful to be in a sponsorship and maintain the respect for it untill my time is up. It's as CrownCityCorey told me, you gotta beat it in the streets; most of the time, sponsorships will say no. Nuff said there for now.

 

[rocitop]

Yes, Yes, and Hell Yes!

Buy American cues. Help support American cuemakers.

USA, all the way. USA, all the way. USA, all the way!

JAM

JAM, I totally agree! Thanks!

 

[John Barton]

Looks to me like J&S sold Cuetec to Imperial something-or-another. In an effort to downsize, they drop Earl Strickland, citing reasons which are often written about by the American pool culture about one of the greatest American legends to ever walk the earth.

Years ago, Falcon cues poured in duckets to a regional tour in my area, and for a solid year, it was the Falcon Tour. After one year, they shut down their Canadian offices, so I was told, and moved everything overseas. The Falcon Tour was thriving, receiving positive press advertising the Falcon product, and the membership of the tour grew by leaps and bounds. The tournament stop results were mentioned in every American pool magazine. The overseas new Falcon management withdrew their sponsorship, with no warning, to a tour which provided them good advertising.

Falcon also dropped Nick Varner like a hot potato a few years back, and Hall of Famer Nick Varner is still hitting 'em good and is an ambassador to the sport even today.

Buddy Hall also experienced some industry member sponsorship, and at the drop of a hat, they withdrew their sponsorship.

This happens all the time, but because it is Earl Strickland, it is controversial. Maybe he should shave his head like Britney, and then we can all have something to talk about.

Pool is cruel to its own.

JAM

Jenny,

Jones Chang and J-S Sales, particularly, Janet Shimel, have stood by Earl Strickland tremendously.

Earl is a sponsor's nightmare. The same ungracious remarks he used to describe the cues and company he received monetary support from for 16 years are the same as he has used against them many times in less public settings.

My question is this:

If the Cuetec is so bad, or whatever configuration Earl used, then how did he manage to win so many World Championships with it?

This reminds me of one time at Valley Forge and Mike Sigel was holding court and extolling the virtues of his cue and interspersing his claims with brags about the championships he won and hwo great he played in the 80's.

Just about then Bob Meucci called out to Mike over the crowd and asked him which cue he used to win all those titles and play so great with.

It was a Meucci of course.

Now, for the rest of Earl's time as a player he will be badmouthing the sponsors who stood by him the most. Pool treats it's own ungraciously?

I would say that in this instance you are right. People like Earl make sponsors weary and wary.

 

[Pinocchio]

????????/

I personally know anyone that plays with cuetech. There are a lot of sponsors out there an I'm sure he will be signed soon. If I were a sponsor it would be in your contract you had to gamble. I sincerely wish Earl all the best an cuetech all the worst.
Pinocchio

 

[jimmy-leggs]

Hey buddy... remember... HE SHATTERED HIS OWN CUE!! It sure wasn't no damn $20 one either. The cue that he held on his hand belonged to the company that sponsored him... backed him up... whatever you call it, it's that!
I can sure than tell you it is a prestegeous honor to be sponsored with a company that finds Earl to be a spectacular pool player. But for him to be raunting and raving and acting so childish, how would you expect to hold it that long with an individual like him?

i agree,its surprising that cuetec hasnt done this along time ago.C,MON PEOPLE,if some player you represented acted like that you would be gone in no time.maybe that is the problem with pool.A top player like that acting like an absolute idiot isnt going to draw people to pool,who are we kidding here?
we all talk about his personality and his personality is why we watch but that is not what we as pool players are trying to achieve to make pool what it should be,and that is to be a draw to bigger audiences.we all know that the I.P.T. is what we all would love see happen to pool.it was professional in every way.(r.i.p. I.P.T.)the players dressed like pros,the setting,the green room,the food,the players were professional.
BUT AND I MEAN BUT,......im sorry,EARL STRICKLAND does not represent our sport in a good way .im sorry but that true.
he needs to step back ,maybe take a year off or 2,and look around ,if any professional in any sport acted like this you would be gone............i know im going to take some flack but thats my 2 cents.

 

[JCIN]

Hey buddy... remember... HE SHATTERED HIS OWN CUE!! It sure wasn't no damn $20 one either. The cue that he held on his hand belonged to the company that sponsored him... backed him up... whatever you call it, it's that!


I can sure than tell you it must be a prestegeous honor to be sponsored with a company that finds Earl to be a spectacular pool player. But for him to be raunting and raving and acting so childish, how would you expect to hold it that long with an individual like him?

As rackmsuckr said, you can have the many titles and experience that will hold you as one of the best, but with a behavior like his is considered unethical and unprofessional (tap... tap... Linda. at least you know what the hell is going on in the billiard business).

Espeically how "politics" is being plagued with how business is running, I would one of these days in my lifetime be grateful to be in a sponsorship and maintain the respect for it untill my time is up. It's as CrownCityCorey told me, you gotta beat it in the streets; most of the time, sponsorships will say no. Nuff said there for now.

Uhhhh.. relax man. We are on the same page here.

To clarify my comment about Cuetech having more class when they 86'd Earl: I think a press release saying they were parting ways would of been enough. But after all Earl's antics I guess I could see the reason for a little dig.

 

[Ktown D]

Ok, is anyone still delusional enough to think that Earl played with a Cuetec shaft? And has anyone ever seen the shaft he plays with up close? It is a wood shaft and it has the craziest taper I have ever seen. It is tapered all the way back to the joint. I got a close look at it and I couldn't believe the amount of flex that thing must have. I also recognized that the shaft he was playing with last weekend was the same shaft that he was playing with when he was wearing the Cuetec patch a while back. His cue had so much tape on it I couldn't tell what type butt he was using.

He had to say something retaliatory about the Cuetec quality standard in rebuttal to his dismissal because he felt wronged by their decision. In reality, I don't think there has been much change in his equipment since the disolve of their partnership. He said he was handcuffed by the product but I didn't see anything dramatically different in what he was using.

That being said, I still wish the best for Earl and I hope he finds a situation that is mutually beneficial for him and a potential sponsor. Love him or hate him, he has done more for American pool than anyone since Mosconi, IMO. His actions are not always respectable but his accomplishments are and I hope he does well for himself in the future. He made quite a bit from his arrangement with Cuetec over the years and I hope he managed to put some away for a rainy day because it is getting mighty cloudy.