The biggest problem is all of the misunderstanding and misinformation out there surrounding this very simple contract.
Not to mention the fact that all this dissent is a perfect example of what happens when you require something professional from a group of people who have never known , or have never been required, to act like professionals. Of course they are shocked and appalled at the idea of being responsible.
Go get a job at a major corporation, or a sponsorship from a major corporation, and this little player contract looks like a children's book. Go be a professional athelete in another sport and this contract will make you laugh with joy at it's simplicity.
So a week before the Open the WPA dropped a mandatory Co tract on all players wishing to play in ANY WPA event. It's a joke. Has to get permission to play in non WPA events. Will be suspended if playing in any World Championship ( other than WPA ). They are forced to do public appearences when ever told to ( unpaid ). Code of customers duct which includes gambling. Anti doping rules along with random drug testing. Don't know how this is all gonna go down but it should
do be interesting. While this contract is nonsense I think it is gonna be the catalyst for something big, something brewing for a long time - player unity. I think it's really cruddy dropping this on everyone a week before the open, everyone's paid, most are here or in the air already on their way. It's blowing up on FB, Charlie Williams has copies of the actual Co tracts up.
-This contract was not "sprung" on anyone. It has just now been brought into the spotlight because u.s. open 9ball is the only major WPA sanctioned event in the u.s. and it's around the corner. Many players signed and paid long ago.
- players do NOT need permission to play in non WPA qualified events. So there is absolutely nothing limiting players from playing, except for one specific circumstance. Which is when an event meets all of the requirements for sanctioning, but the promoter chooses not to ask for sanctioning. This was put in place, so I am told by the WPA , as a measure to protect players from events like Charlie William's B.S. fest. And to at least deter the Charlie Williams of the world from trying to host fake world events.
- forced to do PR when reasonable. So what?
- code of conduct. So what?
- possible drug testing. So what?
Not only are they not paying they are severely limiting players chance to earn money elseware.
Not true.
Let's not forget the sponsorship thing. Any players wanting to wear something for their own sponsor must get approval 30 days prior to an event and can not be deemed offensive. Broad interpretation there but this next part will help it make sense. All players are required to wear stuff from the WPA's sponsors lol. This whole thing really stinks for the players but sure sounds do good for the WPA. TO me, it sounds do like WPA is trying to tie up all the players and be in complete Controll of the little bit of money the players make now.
Sponsors must be approved and you MIGHT be required to wear WPA sponsors patch etc.
Not a big deal because sponsors provide the funding. Duh.
This contract does not " tie up " any players and does not control their money.
What it does is force them to act like professionals and be held to 'very minimal' professional standard. AND it protects them from being forced into exclusive contracts by China, which China has already tried twice.
Will the WPA make a few bucks? Yeah a few. Which is what they need to perform any tasks at all.
It's funny, people will ***** and moan about the WPA and BCA not doing much, and rightfully so, and they ***** and moan about crappy promoters who didn't provide champagne in the green room, but the very second that one of these entities tries to make a little money - it's the next big scam.
If you want better promoters, events, governing bodies, and players then let them generate some frikin cash for cripes sake.
I'm not saying the contract is perfect. And neither is the WPA .
But you guys need to start looking for reasons to make it work, instead of looking for reasons it wont.
