The issue with Danny Harriman is one that should be left in the past. The main issue is that Brady Behrman has not paid the players - the UPA went so far as to drastically change their sanctioning guidelines in an attempt to ensure that this situation would not occur again. Danny Harriman has gone on with his life and he is back to playing pool at the world class level again. That entire situation was the fault of many different people, situations, and misunderstandings. Leave it in the past.
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That is not really true that it should be left in the past. The fact of the matter is that the US OPEN name was used. Was it really Brady or Barry??? who knows?? The fact that Barry was not around at the time and Brady was a sit in for Barry is pretty irrelavent! The Fact is the Open did not pay regardless who ran it and Players are using bad judgement in attending a event with a history of monetary problems. It could have been anyone of the players in Danny's spot.
If they continue to attend and do not lean on the "US OPEN" to pay before the players play again, it will be hypocritical. This action hurts the promoter and forces the payment. The whole strength in numbers concept will lead to resolution. The US OPEN is not run for nothing! The promoter makes money and thats why he continues to hold the open for the last 20 years. He makes "Money"!
Going forward, do not reinvent the wheel. Work with what you got and build the UPA into the best it can be. If Allen Hopkins wants Presidency the mechanism exist for him to step up in the organization.
The only down fall is the lack of Player support when the Organization has to take a Tough stance with a promoter and the dues they collect from the players that they can not see a direct return on their investment from.
They need a skim from the tournaments to run off of and not a dues format. They just need a structure change and give the promoters more for their money in terms of Marketing and Promoting. Example: Never once did i see a UPA player out on the road with marketing materials for up coming events. Never saw a few players coming to town early to do shows or other local promotional efforts to draw attendents. They could not guarentee marquee players would attend and could not provide player sign documents allowing the use of their name and image.
Steve Mizerak once said "you know I had to promote myself". These guys don't do that and don't promote the events that feed them. The are lucky they even "EAT".
I hate to be that harsh. But, True!
Kid
Dynomite
