Does KT already "own" pool?

[jimmyg]

Well, according to what I've recently witnessed, if he doesn't actually own it, he certainly has a lease/buy option on it.

First of all, anyone that doesn't want to see the players paid, a well funded, professionial tour and the betterment of pool is a bonafide ghoul. With that said, I still don't believe that KT is the person to accomplish that vision. His past felony convictions, other questionable business practices, and the less than open, honest way he has already conducted the IPT should prove that.

But, the entire matter is really between the IPT players and KT and I believe that they have already spoken, quite loudly, in fact.

There were quite a few very well known and respected individuals who were not asked, but volunteered to donate their time and resources assisting the players with the payment issue. There were also others willing to talk about ways of forming a players association and even ways of developing a new national pool tour. Sure, some of that was only talk, but it was quite a show of support, really inspiring and a start.

All of those efforts were either ignored or rejected by the ones that it matters most to, the IPT players . The fact is that the IPT players chose to follow KT and his promises rather than embrace the people standing up for them, and it is certainly their choice to make. There is even a thread asking what to call those that speak against the IPT, and most AZ'ers that voted, voted to call them "doomongers", "naysayers", "assholes" and "prophets of doom". Speaks volumes. Look, I know that dreams die hard, we've probable all been there at least once. It is much easier to hang on to a larger than life dream, than face a much tougher reality that we all must ultimately face. I don't believe that they were disrespectful. or unappreciative, but they did make a choice and everyone else must respect it.

I, for one, really hope that those same people, with the same unselfish offers of assistance will still be there when the walls finally cave in, and they are again needed, as I truly believe that they will be.

Good luck to all.
Jim

 

[Cameron Smith]

If the deal with Ho goes through, Ho potentially owns pool. If not then nobody owns pool.

At the moment I don't care if he comes to own pool as long as the players can rely on regular tournaments with large payouts. We can stage a coup later.

 

[ceebee]

Well, according to what I've recently witnessed, if he doesn't actually own it, he certainly has a lease/buy option on it.

First of all, anyone that doesn't want to see the players paid, a well funded, professionial tour and the betterment of pool is a bonafide ghoul. With that said, I still don't believe that KT is the person to accomplish that vision. His past felony convictions, other questionable business practices, and the less than open, honest way he has already conducted the IPT should prove that.

But, the entire matter is really between the IPT players and KT and I believe that they have already spoken, quite loudly, in fact.

There were quite a few very well known and respected individuals who were not asked, but volunteered to donate their time and resources assisting the players with the payment issue. There were also others willing to talk about ways of forming a players association and even ways of developing a new national pool tour. Sure, some of that was only talk, but it was quite a show of support, really inspiring and a start.

All of those efforts were either ignored or rejected by the ones that it matters most to, the IPT players . The fact is that the IPT players chose to follow KT and his promises rather than embrace the people standing up for them, and it is certainly their choice to make. There is even a thread asking what to call those that speak against the IPT, and most AZ'ers that voted, voted to call them "doomongers", "naysayers", "assholes" and "prophets of doom". Speaks volumes. Look, I know that dreams die hard, we've probable all been there at least once. It is much easier to hang on to a larger than life dream, than face a much tougher reality that we all must ultimately face. I don't believe that they were disrespectful. or unappreciative, but they did make a choice and everyone else must respect it.

I, for one, really hope that those same people, with the same unselfish offers of assistance will still be there when the walls finally cave in, and they are again needed, as I truly believe that they will be.

Good luck to all.
Jim

Mr. Trudeau doesn't own Pool, but he does have a few Professional Pool Player's ATTENTION, at the moment. Rightly so. He is the one person who has come forth to once again bring Pool & Billiards into the light.

The BIG EXTRAVAGANZA's were great, but the 10,000,000 attaboys, can be erased by one big Aw-Sh*t. Time will tell if the PARADE will go on. I for one certainly hope so, but other than a little business, the IPT doesn't affect an old goat on the side-line. The IPT affects the Professional Players & the business of Professional Pool.

No one owns the Pool Players, but they could organize an association that could be owned & operated by the Professional Players themselves (just like GOLF, TENNIS & other professional sports). However, the Professional Players have never been able to organize & govern themselves.

Organization requires time, money & commitment from all participants. Pro Sports requires a fanbase of thousands & thousands of fans in order for the advertising money to get involved. If Budweiser doesn't see a few million fans, Bud won't spend a dime for Pool Tounaments. Budweiser (just a name... could be any company) wants a return on their AD money.

Every Pool tournament I've ever been to or participated in, Budweiser Beer was sold, but Budweiser did not assist in the promotion or prize money of the Tournament, they were just there to take a percentage from the concession money. The Players, nor the Tournament Directors, nor The Room Owners mind that Budweiser is selling Beer, because they like drinking beer & Bud is a good beer.

However, if Miller had offered to sponsor (commision to the Room Owner & prize Money to the Players) the Tournament, provided that only Miller Beer could be served during the Tournament, the folks involved (players, fans, room owner) would drink Milller Beer, but that would be OK, because they can drink Bud tomorrow. NOW WE HAVE A TOURNAMENT sponsor, Coca~Cola IS NEXT, then Frito-Lay... the others have to follow or lose their take in the concessions market.

When the Players organize, the Room Owners will line up for tournaments, in order to get AD money from the concessions market. Sponsorships already come from the equipment manufacturer, but that can be treated just like Bud & Frito-Lay.... what's it worth to ya, would be the question of the day. NOTHING, if there aren't 10,000,000 plus fans hollering for their HERO or HEROINE....

Pro GOLF to some people is not an exciting game. If the announcement was made, "There will be NO Wrecks today, Nascar is like watching paint dry, except for the pretty cars. Pro TENNIS can actually give you a neck ache, from looking left then right, then right to left again. You can have as many sweaters around a Pool Table & a Big Screen TV, as you can have around center court at Wimbledon.

Don't get me wrong here, I like everyone of those games. Those games & others INVENTED themselves a market for TV. The advertisers are the folks that sell merchandise, the ad companies tell the advertisers that everyone is watching Football... I say BS. There are only 80,000 fans in the Stadium, but there are 4,000,000 in the DFW area. That is 2% of the local population, so everyone ain't watching football like the Ad company says....

When all of the Professional Pool Players become recognizable for their looks, traits, personalities & styles, they will have a chance at becoming a market to each & everyone of us that like Pool.

If we can figure out how to get 8,000 screaming fans into a Convention Center to watch a Professional Pool Tournament, that will be a 10% start of what the NFL is. Getting anything started requires organization.

I am wearing a shield & I am invisible, so fire at will.

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

ceebee sez:
I am wearing a shield & I am invisible, so fire at will.


Hell, I'm wearing a trenchcoat and I'm nekkid underneath...
Doug

 

[cueball1950]

Well, according to what I've recently witnessed, if he doesn't actually own it, he certainly has a lease/buy option on it.

First of all, anyone that doesn't want to see the players paid, a well funded, professionial tour and the betterment of pool is a bonafide ghoul. With that said, I still don't believe that KT is the person to accomplish that vision. His past felony convictions, other questionable business practices, and the less than open, honest way he has already conducted the IPT should prove that.

But, the entire matter is really between the IPT players and KT and I believe that they have already spoken, quite loudly, in fact.

There were quite a few very well known and respected individuals who were not asked, but volunteered to donate their time and resources assisting the players with the payment issue. There were also others willing to talk about ways of forming a players association and even ways of developing a new national pool tour. Sure, some of that was only talk, but it was quite a show of support, really inspiring and a start.

All of those efforts were either ignored or rejected by the ones that it matters most to, the IPT players . The fact is that the IPT players chose to follow KT and his promises rather than embrace the people standing up for them, and it is certainly their choice to make. There is even a thread asking what to call those that speak against the IPT, and most AZ'ers that voted, voted to call them "doomongers", "naysayers", "assholes" and "prophets of doom". Speaks volumes. Look, I know that dreams die hard, we've probable all been there at least once. It is much easier to hang on to a larger than life dream, than face a much tougher reality that we all must ultimately face. I don't believe that they were disrespectful. or unappreciative, but they did make a choice and everyone else must respect it.

I, for one, really hope that those same people, with the same unselfish offers of assistance will still be there when the walls finally cave in, and they are again needed, as I truly believe that they will be.

Good luck to all.
Jim

Jim... the best and shortest answer i can give is this one. He who holds the purse strings holds the players. Wether it is the IPT.....PBT.....UPA.......or who ever. If you are a promoter and you are going to have , lets say 10 $25,000 added tournaments a year with guaranteed money, and you are the only game in town. Then you will hold control the players. Pro pool players have allegiance to only 1 thing. And yes it is green and 6 inches long. The God almighty dollar. As long as you are putting up the added money for each tournament and paying said players on time. Then you in essence own the players time. Now to just get them to leave their egos at the door is the trick.,..Maybe get some volunteers to run it until it gets off the ground. Maybe some people like Jay Helfert, Blackjack or maybe Mike Zuglan....People that players know and would trust...Maybe even ask Randy Goldwater to come on board. he loves the game. I think that someone could have a successful tour with only $25k added every month. and then maybe a $50k finals tournament to end the season.Players won't get rich but atleast they would have some type of income to help pay some bills. and again... this is/would only be possible if the IPT does indeed fold as so many people think it will....just my humble ramblings again........................mike

 

[jimmyg]

Jim... the best and shortest answer i can give is this one. He who holds the purse strings holds the players. mike

Mike, are you saying that he only owns the players, not the game? Isn't that pretty much the same thing?