My thoughts on how to get a pro tour off the ground
First, we have to recognize that the funding for the tour in its early years needs to come from the players – both the pro’s and those who think they could be. We need to utilize the existing pool halls and use them to generate added money for the tour.
We also need to recognize that any possible TV exposure will only happen once we get the appropriate stability in place.
The assumption has been made that there are 800 or more players that would participate in a pro tour qualifying system and that money would be used to get the tour off the ground.
Here are the steps envision to follow to get a men’s pro tour going.
1) Someone must take control and become the self named – commissioner of the tour (a salary of approx $60,000-80,000 per year once it gets off the ground). It would be preferable if the APA or BCA could get this off the ground
2) Contact 8 locations halls across the US and set up dates for 32 qualifying events (4 at each of the hall) .These events would take place in Jan-March 2012
3) Each qualifier has 32 entries at $375 each. $25 to the tournament director (or pool hall), $350 to the tour prize fund. Top 2 at each qualifier would obtain their tour cards for 2012
4) After 32 of these are run – you have 64 carded tour players and 358,000 in funds (of which 300,000 is money added to the tour fund)
5) Locate 10 halls across the US to have your fist year – tour runs from Late march 2012 to Nov 2012 – the 8 halls used in step 2 get first right of refusal)
6) These halls BUY the rights to host a tour event. These right cost the hall $15,000. In return, the hall gets 32 entries into the event as well as control of all gate proceeds for the event. The hall would make money buy holding qualifiying events and selling tickets and in addition, 6 pros would be scheduled to appear in the evenings the Mon-Wed before the tour for exhibitions, autographs etc. At the end of the day, the hall should be able to generate a $5,000 or more operating profit for hosting the event. Of this money paid by the hall, $12,000 goes to the players fund, and $3,000 goes to the commissioner for expenses. salary etc.
7) Entry fees for the events are $750 per tour player. Thus with the entry fee plus $42,000 added for each event, you have a $90,000 payout at each event or ($900,000 for the tour first year). Pay out the top 32 with the winner receiving $25,000 and you have enough money added to have the top pros interested.
8) At the end of year, the top 32 on the money list keep their cards for year 2 and pay a fee of $500. You then run the same 32 qualifiers and qualify 64 more and then you have a 128 player field at each event for year 2 and your tour is now set up for subsequent years.
9) Throughout year 1 and beyond, the commissioner is always looking for sponsorhips.
10) The commissioner needs to work with the Turning Stone, DCC, US Open and other events to increase the exposure of not only the tour but also these one off tournaments as well
11) In year 2 or 3 once you have the tour stable and with a name and maybe some media coverage, you look for a TV deal that does not require the tour to pay money. Use a lower network.
These are just some thoughts on how to get a tour off the ground.
My question is, if it was properly organized, would this work ?
Leagueguy
First, we have to recognize that the funding for the tour in its early years needs to come from the players – both the pro’s and those who think they could be. We need to utilize the existing pool halls and use them to generate added money for the tour.
We also need to recognize that any possible TV exposure will only happen once we get the appropriate stability in place.
The assumption has been made that there are 800 or more players that would participate in a pro tour qualifying system and that money would be used to get the tour off the ground.
Here are the steps envision to follow to get a men’s pro tour going.
1) Someone must take control and become the self named – commissioner of the tour (a salary of approx $60,000-80,000 per year once it gets off the ground). It would be preferable if the APA or BCA could get this off the ground
2) Contact 8 locations halls across the US and set up dates for 32 qualifying events (4 at each of the hall) .These events would take place in Jan-March 2012
3) Each qualifier has 32 entries at $375 each. $25 to the tournament director (or pool hall), $350 to the tour prize fund. Top 2 at each qualifier would obtain their tour cards for 2012
4) After 32 of these are run – you have 64 carded tour players and 358,000 in funds (of which 300,000 is money added to the tour fund)
5) Locate 10 halls across the US to have your fist year – tour runs from Late march 2012 to Nov 2012 – the 8 halls used in step 2 get first right of refusal)
6) These halls BUY the rights to host a tour event. These right cost the hall $15,000. In return, the hall gets 32 entries into the event as well as control of all gate proceeds for the event. The hall would make money buy holding qualifiying events and selling tickets and in addition, 6 pros would be scheduled to appear in the evenings the Mon-Wed before the tour for exhibitions, autographs etc. At the end of the day, the hall should be able to generate a $5,000 or more operating profit for hosting the event. Of this money paid by the hall, $12,000 goes to the players fund, and $3,000 goes to the commissioner for expenses. salary etc.
7) Entry fees for the events are $750 per tour player. Thus with the entry fee plus $42,000 added for each event, you have a $90,000 payout at each event or ($900,000 for the tour first year). Pay out the top 32 with the winner receiving $25,000 and you have enough money added to have the top pros interested.
8) At the end of year, the top 32 on the money list keep their cards for year 2 and pay a fee of $500. You then run the same 32 qualifiers and qualify 64 more and then you have a 128 player field at each event for year 2 and your tour is now set up for subsequent years.
9) Throughout year 1 and beyond, the commissioner is always looking for sponsorhips.
10) The commissioner needs to work with the Turning Stone, DCC, US Open and other events to increase the exposure of not only the tour but also these one off tournaments as well
11) In year 2 or 3 once you have the tour stable and with a name and maybe some media coverage, you look for a TV deal that does not require the tour to pay money. Use a lower network.
These are just some thoughts on how to get a tour off the ground.
My question is, if it was properly organized, would this work ?
Leagueguy
) sounds a lot like the IPT scam. Screw me once, shame on you...screw me twice, shame on ME!
I don't mean to make fun of your post but the numbers based on experience probably are not going to work.
