Good News from the IPT

[rackmsuckr]

I got this announcement from the IPT. The good news I am referring to is that all matches for KOH will be available on DVD! Emphasis in bold are my notations:

"...The 150 IPT tour players will be having their official portraits taken, publicity photos taken, receive media training, conduct profile television interviews, and receive details about the 2006, 2007, and 2008 IPT schedules. IPT Founder Kevin Trudeau will personally conduct much of this training. Major exciting announcements will be made. This event will also feature having every single match being filmed and will be made available for sale on DVD.
Camera crews and press will be plentiful recording not only the matches, but also behind the scenes movements of the players. "We are producing not only world class televised matches, but also television programming about the players' lives and the drama of living in the world of highly competitive big money 8-Ball." Said IPT Founder Kevin Trudeau."

 

[jjinfla]

I wonder if the players have any idea how valuable all this will be to them. I can't believe that the IPT will be providing all of this for free. It must be costing KT a small fortune. I sure hope they appreciate it. It sounds like a chance of a lifetime.

Jake

 

[Rich R.]

"...The 150 IPT tour players will be having their official portraits taken, publicity photos taken, receive media training, conduct profile television interviews, and receive details about the 2006, 2007, and 2008 IPT schedules. IPT Founder Kevin Trudeau will personally conduct much of this training.

This explains why they want all of the IPT players in attendance in Orlando.
This makes a lot of sense.

 

[Colin Colenso]

I wonder if the players have any idea how valuable all this will be to them. I can't believe that the IPT will be providing all of this for free. It must be costing KT a small fortune. I sure hope they appreciate it. It sounds like a chance of a lifetime.

Jake

KT commented elsewhere, I think in the Billiard's Digest article, that he is spending around 1 million on production for each event.

So the pool world will get some quality content to treasure forever.

Though, it might be produced more for the stories than for the detailed match coverage. Hopefully there can be different versions produced. One for the mainstream dumbed-down masses who prefer thrills and stories and another for the dedicated pool enthusiasts who want to see all the details of the matches with insightful commentary.

 

[BlackDragon]

^^^^^its good for the workers but whats your pay out for your performance. It could be zero. If yr ok with that, you like the buzz, ok. Actors (players) deserve a salary too. Out first round, no greenbacks and youre on dvd making someone else look good. Mmm...better luck next time....
like actors , whatever negotiate a percentage of sales of dvds theyre on.
But pool payers, business savvy. Well, maybe not.......
Yeah kt a million bucks on outlay.... its good. He has no guarantee that will people will buy. A million bucks to do that job, mmm hype....
Its better if pool players are blind (to the business side) and just go to play cause if you start asking questions over money returns...mmmm..you'll mindf**k yourself. But then if youre a player of calibre, you have a manager don't you?....or at least a spouse with commonsense...
Still, participation enriches everybody.....but who buys the burger at the end of the night. Your buddy, if he's the winner.... your cash is spent on getting there.
Meanwhile the business acuMens get their return on fillet mignon.

 

[rackmsuckr]

^^^^^its good for the workers but whats your pay out for your performance. It could be zero. If yr ok with that, you like the buzz, ok. Actors (players) deserve a salary too. Out first round, no greenbacks and youre on dvd making someone else look good. Mmm...better luck next time....
like actors , whatever negotiate a percentage of sales of dvds theyre on.
But pool payers, business savvy. Well, maybe not.......
Yeah kt a million bucks on outlay.... its good. He has no guarantee that will people will buy. A million bucks to do that job, mmm hype....
Its better if pool players are blind (to the business side) and just go to play cause if you start asking questions over money returns...mmmm..you'll mindf**k yourself. But then if youre a player of calibre, you have a manager don't you?....or at least a spouse with commonsense...
Still, participation enriches everybody.....but who buys the burger at the end of the night. Your buddy, if he's the winner.... your cash is spent on getting there.
Meanwhile the business acuMens get their return on fillet mignon.

We all knew what we were getting into when we accepted our confirmations. I don't expect much in return except the experience. I would gladly pay more than travel costs to have been able to play with some of the great champions in the world. If he chooses to use my likeness, I can't imagine him making much money. In fact, I doubt that the losing 75 will have much focus on them at all, so the 'actors' with the most action will be paid handsomely for their exposure anyway.

A million bucks - yes, that can easily be spent on the hoopla, advertising and air time. The match between Loree Jon and Mike is running continuously on a major network for a month! I have never heard of a billiards event being marketed that way before. That is giving pool unprecedented coverage!!!!

I hope he sells a bazillion DVD's - he has every right to be a winner in this and he can already afford filet mignon, and so can I.

 

[Snapshot9]

Also ...

Think how important it may be to some players to be
able to give a copy to their grandkids some day.

See Johnny, I told you you're Grandpa was one of the best.

 

[Gabber]

We all knew what we were getting into when we accepted our confirmations

Did you? Can you tell me anything about the first tourny? The draw, the payouts, the format, are players seeded, etc., etc, etc

The fact is, you joined the IPT not knowing ANYTHING......., not even the DRESS CODE.............right?

Gabber

 

[Gabber]

I would gladly pay more than travel costs to have been able to play with some of the great champions in the world.

I keep hearing this but its obviously not true. There are tours where you can play against the pros- all you have to have is some money to throw away. ie entrance fee.
You are talking as if you have never had the chance to play against the pro players and its simply not true.

Gabber

 

[rackmsuckr]

Did you? Can you tell me anything about the first tourny? The draw, the payouts, the format, are players seeded, etc., etc, etc

The fact is, you joined the IPT not knowing ANYTHING......., not even the DRESS CODE.............right?

Gabber

We all knew that what we were getting into is that there was a possibility some of us may not cash in. That's what you were originally referring to, right? As far as formats, that really isn't all that important from my perspective...everyone is going to be tough. Almost every tournament I go to I don't know the draw, if the players are going to be seeded, the rules, the dress code or the payouts until I get there. Big deal.

 

[rackmsuckr]

I keep hearing this but its obviously not true. There are tours where you can play against the pros- all you have to have is some money to throw away. ie entrance fee.
You are talking as if you have never had the chance to play against the pro players and its simply not true.

Gabber

This is the first time all the HOFers are in one room (except Jean Balukas, and she may be in attendance), plus every major heavy hitter except Alex and a couple others. I have never seen that assemblage of talent anywhere. I have also paid my money at the Reno tournament several times and never once got to play a top talent. In fact, I ended up playing people from my own area! In this one, I am almost assured the chance to do so. So I don't know why you are always trying to rain on my parade. I am thrilled for this opportunity to play with greatness and nothing you can say is going to change my mind. Replying to all of your insults of the IPT gets tiring. I don't feel I need to justify myself when everyone else on the planet can understand what I am feeling.

 

[Blackjack]

This is the first time all the HOFers are in one room (except Jean Balukas, and she may be in attendance), plus every major heavy hitter except Alex and a couple others. I have never seen that assemblage of talent anywhere. I have also paid my money at the Reno tournament several times and never once got to play a top talent. In fact, I ended up playing people from my own area! In this one, I am almost assured the chance to do so. So I don't know why you are always trying to rain on my parade. I am thrilled for this opportunity to play with greatness and nothing you can say is going to change my mind. Replying to all of your insults of the IPT gets tiring. I don't feel I need to justify myself when everyone else on the planet can understand what I am feeling.

Linda

Why should he make a profit from your performance and you don't? Surely you should be compensated in some way for that - exposure is great, but the players should be compensated. Hopefully there is already something in place to ensure that the players will recieve a royalty percentage. Always remember, give them an inch and they take a mile. Protect yourself from the outset. I'm not picking on the IPT (thats my new disclaimer) I'm just saying that if players do not protect themselves now, it could have a snowball effect. I ask again, who is representing the players to ensure they get a fair shake? This is different from prize fund. This is marketing/merchandising.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Linda

Why should he make a profit from your performance and you don't? Surely you should be compensated in some way for that - exposure is great, but the players should be compensated. Hopefully there is already something in place to ensure that the players will recieve a royalty percentage. Always remember, give them an inch and they take a mile. Protect yourself from the outset. I'm not picking on the IPT (thats my new disclaimer) I'm just saying that if players do not protect themselves now, it could have a snowball effect. I ask again, who is representing the players to ensure they get a fair shake? This is different from prize fund. This is marketing/merchandising.

The fact that anyone enters into a voluntary trade means a priori that they rightly or wrongly perceive a mental profit.

It's common sense that thousands would take the spots of the current member, albeit with the chance of losing money on the deal.

That said, a happy worker is a good worker and there is talk of a minimum guarantee to players.

But I really think it's up to KT to do as he feels best and to do what makes the most business sense. If he's able to make a ton out of our images, it will be due to his own imputs. He would not owe the players something for his success. In fact, creating exposure for them creates many more opportunities for them such as in sponsorships, coaching, business etc.

 

[rackmsuckr]

Linda

Why should he make a profit from your performance and you don't? Surely you should be compensated in some way for that - exposure is great, but the players should be compensated. Hopefully there is already something in place to ensure that the players will recieve a royalty percentage. Always remember, give them an inch and they take a mile. Protect yourself from the outset. I'm not picking on the IPT (thats my new disclaimer) I'm just saying that if players do not protect themselves now, it could have a snowball effect. I ask again, who is representing the players to ensure they get a fair shake? This is different from prize fund. This is marketing/merchandising.

Yes, I understand there are some concerns that the players may be taken advantage of. I suppose in a perfect world, we all may be compensated for our appearances. But when Diana Hoppe is photographing and sells her photos, does she compensate every player in her photos? Does Accustats give royalties to every player featured in their videos? Let me know if they are.

All we know is that this tour is guaranteed to last 2 years. If there comes a time when we think he is demanding too much (gee, if I spend millions on a tour, don't I have the right to set the rules?) or being unfair to us, and that the tour is going to go beyond 2 years, then I could see the possibility of an organization for the players forming. I won't discount anything happening.

In reality, KT invested his own money, is paying for his own promotions, and we contribute nothing except to play. Not only do we not expect anything more than prize money, but we expect him to try and at least recoup some of his money back. I think that is more than fair. There is no one 'protecting' us as yet, because we don't feel we need protecting. I can't speak for everyone, but I think most feel that he should have the distribution rights to our matches. And I certainly hope we don't ever get to the point where someone commented a player would only give out autographs or have pictures taken unless he were paid to do it. I love my sport and think I benefit in the long run by donating my time, likeness, autographs or whatever the hell else he needs. I think we have the opportunity to realize a profit on spinoffs like exhibitions, lessons, promos, TV, movies, print, articles, and the like that HIS ADVERTISING and HIS TOUR bought us.

 

[Snapshot9]

Naysayers ...

are just upset because it is all coming together pretty
darn good, and they aren't getting 'their way' in terms
of positives, or that any major negatives haven't popped
up. Once again, it is his money folks. He can do what he
wants, and so far, it seems he is doing pretty darn good.

By the way, if I go to a tournament, I expect to pay for
my expenses for participating in that tournament, and to me,
it is a little ridiculous to expect KT to pay everyone's expenses
to the tournament in the way of a guaranteed payback.

If you don't want to pay, then don't play ... It is that simple.

 

[rackmsuckr]

are just upset because it is all coming together pretty
darn good, and they aren't getting 'their way' in terms
of positives, or that any major negatives haven't popped
up. Once again, it is his money folks. He can do what he
wants, and so far, it seems he is doing pretty darn good.

By the way, if I go to a tournament, I expect to pay for
my expenses for participating in that tournament, and to me,
it is a little ridiculous to expect KT to pay everyone's expenses
to the tournament in the way of a guaranteed payback.

If you don't want to pay, then don't play ... It is that simple.

Exactly! I expected fully to pay my own way in travel costs. I mean, it would be nice if he did throw us a bone, especially at this first one where we don't play, but I don't expect it.

What I did know going into it is that it was going to be big table 8ball, tighter pockets, no jump cues, slow cloth, round robin formats and no breaking from the box. I also knew KT was infusing unprecedented amounts of cash into our sport and that's all I needed to know, he had me at hello.

Like I said previously, I go to tournaments all the time not knowing format, dress code, etc. We do have the advantage here because we are going to know 2 months ahead of time!

 

[Mr. J]

New Era!!!

I have read so much negative writing pertaining to the KT and the new world about to come to be. Please people....realize that the time is at hand. It seems that so many have always had Top Ramen or Mac and Cheese way too long to even realize that Finally there is a big Steak sitting right in front of them. They are so blind due to the conditioning that they have experienced for a long life time of only peanuts. Time to realize that possibly the skies are blue and brighter than ever before.

Take a moment to step back and step out of your deep intrenched way of thinking in regards to pool and all the financial experiences you've had.

The days of placing way out of the top of the field and still making many thousands for your efforts is here. Go to the Web Site and see for yourselves...just maybe the payouts like golf will happen. Just imagine....you place 67th and still make 6 or 7 or 8 thousand dollars....

The skies just may be bluer than ever before in the history of our great sport!!!

Take a moment people and go to the Web Site...

Thanks again,

Mr. J.

 

[SlimShafty]

Why should the IPT make money on video sales? I'll tell you why, without his backing there is no IPT and thus no chance for a player winning tens of thousands of dollars placing in the top 30 or by sponsorship money. If the the IPT doesn't make money on production and the sale of said product or ffrom advertising, there is no money for the players! No purse! Unless Kevin has a magical money tree we don't know about

Last time I checked if a golfer doesn't make the cut he don't get a check! and the PGA has the right to sell and show the footage of said player, player has the opportunity to be sponsored and of course and has the chance to make the cut and get paid.

Fair shake? how about the only shake, I don't see anyone else with a better offer? most tours if you place 20th the only shake you get is a milk shake I always say a small piece of something big is better then a huge piece of nothing. If I was fortunate enough to have the great talent that these players have I would be jumping over people at this opportunity. I still get tired of hearing boxers complain about Don King or Wrestles complain about Vince, sure they aren't perfect, but they are the reason behind the success.

Are there really any players making lots of money off selling old pool matches? what percentage does accustats give to players? how much residual money does Allison Fisher get from the reruns on ESPN, her matches are on a lot, what does she get from that? oh yeah the WPBA actually pays ESPN, you see where we are at? Players can't make the rules now with an opportunity like this, you have to take a chance and hope for the best.

A lot of players have never had the opportunity to even be on video or TV unless they make the top 6, it's a great opportunity for them to be seen.

 

[Blackjack]

are just upset because it is all coming together pretty
darn good, and they aren't getting 'their way' in terms
of positives, or that any major negatives haven't popped
up. Once again, it is his money folks. He can do what he
wants, and so far, it seems he is doing pretty darn good.

By the way, if I go to a tournament, I expect to pay for
my expenses for participating in that tournament, and to me,
it is a little ridiculous to expect KT to pay everyone's expenses
to the tournament in the way of a guaranteed payback.

If you don't want to pay, then don't play ... It is that simple.

Scott,
I don't say this to eveybody,nor do I make it a habit to respond like this in the forums, but you need to shut up and educate yourself before you start running off at the keyboard and attacking my stance on these issues. You keep referring to me as a naysayser, yet there are players that I coach and I am actively preparing them to compete in the IPT events - free of charge. That is because I have put aside my differences in the best interests of the players that I support.

Some people have accused me of being a diehard supporter for the UPA, and that I oppose this tour because of that. Get real. I have no interest in the UPA, I own no stock in the UPA, nor do I hold any position of power within the UPA. I played in one UPA event, and Frank Alvarez and Ralf Souquet practically had to talk me into doing so. When I did that, I did it to show support for the tour. My best days at the table are far behind me and never coming back. I remain involved in the game on several levels because I love the game of pool. I'd play on any tour for free - becasue I love the game of pool with my heart, not my wallet. It doesn't take monetary enticement for me to support anything.

You have a very clouded, uneducated opinion of where I stand on these issues which is due to the fact that you have yet to discuss any of these issues with me personally. Send me your number, I will call you. If not, keep your judgments to yourself. I have asked people to hear me out and understand what my stance is, which is - that this tour does absolutely nothing to advance the sport in any way on the global scale. There is a lot of work being done at the international level to advance BILLIARDS - that includes 3 cushion, snooker, and pool - collectively. The IPT is not doing that, nor is it willing to participate or cooperate or work with any of the established organizations that are dedicated to the game, not profits. Working with these organizations can make his tour succeed even more, yet he is uwilling to abide by anybody's rules but his own. He can do as he wishes with his money, but when it comes to the game of pool, I would be doing a disservice by not speaking out about valid concerns. If you can give me one speck of evidence that shows that this will benefit the sport on a global scale, produce it or keep your judgments on my opinion to yourself. I am basing my views on facts. If I'm wrong about that then prove me wrong without kissing KT's back end in the process in this forum. Present tangible, articulable facts, not wishful thinking or "just wait & see" statements. That offer goes out to anyone, not just you.

If you speak with me, you will see that I believe that there is a way that the IPT can do a great service on a global scale and expand their market internationally. The renegade attitude they have displayed is what has ostracized them from the rest of the international community, not money. The WPA is not asking for any more from Trudeau than they would ask from anybody else. If his purses are larger, his sanctioning fees will be higher as well. As a member of an international body, you must adhere to standards. They are unwilling to meet those standards and have dismissed the international organizations and insulted their efforts in the process, while the international community has been more than willing to work with them. He has chosen not to do that. This leads me to believe that he has surrounded himself around people that are giving him misinformation and poor advisement. Many are more concerned with filling their pockets with KT's cash instead of working towards something that will benefit players for years to come. Unless you can articulate anything to dispute those facts, I will continue to view this as a house of cards.

 

[onepocketchump]

David,

you make some good points but they are based on speculation rather than fact. KT has already said that continental tours are a consideration. You also cannot know whether anyone has advised KT to work with the existing organizations or not. As it has been mentioned here many times before, pool post KT won't be in any worse state than it is right now. I accurately predict the future but I am going to guess that this will turn out to be true.

If so, the upside is that pool and pool organzations will get a surge in popularity and investment and the downside is that pool will be left with the same structure as before the IPT.

John