IPT Defenders...excuses, excuses...

[PoolSleuth]

If the IPT is successful it is good for the Pro, and Amateur Players. As i feel it will give Pool a more main stream media recognition.

If it fails, well some pro player will be disappointed, and a few will have made some extra money.

Personally I would like to see the IPT make a go of it...

 

[rackmsuckr]

Jake,

I posted this in another thread, but thought you might not see it there. I will definitely be there as much as I can, but am flying in late Friday night.

IPT Players at Qualifiers:

NA1- Pete Fusco
NA2- Grady Mathews
NA3- Jim Raney
NA4- John Kutcher
NA5- Jackie Broadhurst

NA6- Michael Zimmerman
NA7- Brian Groce
NA8- Keith McCready
NA9- Vincent Facquet
NA10-

NA11- Austin Murphy
NA12- John Schmidt
NA13-
NA14- Johnny Archer
NA15- Jason Miller

NA16- Tammie Jones
NA17- Jimmy Wetch
NA18- Ernesto Dominguez
NA19- Colin Colenso
NA20- John Wims

NA21- Frank Alvarez
NA22- Gabe Owen
NA23- Aaron Czetli
NA24- Raj Hundal
NA25- Mike Sigel

 

[jjinfla]

Thanks for the Info Linda. I guess I just missed it. But those are the "assigned" IPT players at the qualifiers. I would have hoped that other IPT players would also make an appearance to help promote the events. And just mingle with the fans to get a feel of what they think about the IPT. The IPT players should not expect KT to do all the work for them.

Besides, it is in their own best interest to start generating a fan base. The more fans, the more in demand they will be for special events and advertising.

The last event, NA25, should have a packed house. I know several people from around here who are going to go there to watch the fun. And with Mike Sigel there too it will be especially nice.

I expect that Earl Strickland, Rodney Morris, Robb Saez, Tony Crosby will be there too. Hopefully Robb and Tony will have qualified by then. It should be fun.

Jake

 

[Dr. Dissent]

My only question, at this time, is when will the IPT get recognition enough to appear on TV ?,,,,Most days, ESPN has two (2) unused slots on my satellite system,,,JMHO; pool will make a giant leap forward when we can command TV time.........................................

It's not going to happen.....ESPN should have been the choice since it is a world-wide recognized sports channel......but then, what makes you think that pool these days will make a giant leap? It has not happened in over 20 years, and it is not going to happen now.

 

[ScottW]

It's not going to happen.....ESPN should have been the choice since it is a world-wide recognized sports channel......but then, what makes you think that pool these days will make a giant leap? It has not happened in over 20 years, and it is not going to happen now.

Just in case you didn't know, you don't just walk up to a cable network and say "Put my show on!" and they go "yessir!".

I'd wager that they *did* approach ESPN and either ESPN a) wasn't interested or b) they couldn't reach an agreement.

No TV network/channel has any stake in helping one sport (pool) make a "giant leap".

As far as the IPT and whether it has "failed" or not - like most others - I'm reserving any judgment 'til they actually have some events behind them. It's waaaaay too early to start crying failure (or success).

 

[Dr. Dissent]

Just in case you didn't know, you don't just walk up to a cable network and say "Put my show on!" and they go "yessir!".

I'd wager that they *did* approach ESPN and either ESPN a) wasn't interested or b) they couldn't reach an agreement.

No TV network/channel has any stake in helping one sport (pool) make a "giant leap".

As far as the IPT and whether it has "failed" or not - like most others - I'm reserving any judgment 'til they actually have some events behind them. It's waaaaay too early to start crying failure (or success).

Let me see now...

The IPT started with "the biggest show on Earth", Mike Sigel vs Loree Jon Jones. This reminds me of a Circus.

They promissed the "stars" and have BS'd all the players of the world for over 9 months. Do you call that a tour?

Everyone talked about the "money" KT had to throw around, and what a great guy he was for putting up his pocket money, but we all know that is not really happening. He is now trying to fund the tour with the qualifiers.

All the money KT supposedly has and he couldn't get the best sports channel in the world to air his shows. He could not get the best billiard cloth in the world to support his tour. He has not secured sponsorship in the U.S. Ten players average for his qualifiers in the U.S. Excellent players left out of the initial 150 because they didn't know what they were doing.

Hmmm, I wouldn't call that a success......

 

[Icon of Sin]

Im not so sure they wanted to go with ESPN for the IPT broadcast. Most of the time they are comparing IPT 8 ball format with the 9 ball format currently televised on ESPN, them putting the IPT on ESPN would only make them somewhat hippocritical.

I think they are trying to compete against ESPN pool. JMO.

 

[jjinfla]

Hey Dr.

You do realize that the "Tour" has not started yet. It kicks off July 22nd. All of this is just hype and advertising.

Now, wouldn't it surprise everyone if KT took the money from the qualifiers and put it in the general fund that is going to go to the players at the end of 2006?

Boy, would that piss off a bunch of people. I could hear them now, "he never said he was going to do that. If I knew that I would have tried harder". Ha Ha

Jake

 

[merylane]

The number of IPT defenders has dwindled, they are basically the same one, defending with a million excuses all the "non-action" by the IPT.

People have missed my point about having this tour begin without having all the BS flying around. We've had more than 9 months of IPT BS, and only 2 tournaments. Some people admit that thousands of players dont know "squat" about the IPT. Others admit that the fan base is missing at the qualifiers, and some of the attendees didn't even know what was going on. Others admit the IPT has not done a good job in promoting themselves. Others admit that too many qualifiers at the same time broke up the fields.

Can you see that these are just of bunch of plain old excuses, excuses?

The IPT wanted to "fix" the pool world and it has "dwarfted" the efforts all the established tournaments and its promoters. The IPT has really messed up things for everyone involved in pool, except for a very few lucky ones. Oh, but the IPT defenders are blind....obviously because they personally might benefit or someone they know.

So much BS and only 2 tournaments of "selected" people. The IPT was going to bring "loads of money" but very few have really benefitted. The IPT was going to take over the world of pool but has really done the contrary, they have stalled and have engine problems. The IPT came in with new paint job but it was an very "old" car disguised as a new one.

They have a bunch of qualifiers (to bring in loads of money themselves) and planned events until 2008 to get everyone excited but would they really be there when the time comes?

I don't think so.

I do not want to "stand alone" or have a "grand stand". I'm just doing what is supposed to be done. Telling people to "OPEN YOUR EYES" and come back to reality!

The IPT has failed everyone and we cannot expect anything better.

hey doc what the &$%# do you care anyway?

 

[Purdman]

The Doc has just as much right to express his opinion as you do Merylane!
Why the &$%# words. Personally, I am pulling for the pool players, not KT.
We will all learn the truth soon. I can wait, can you.
Purdman

 

[ironman]

Getting information is like pulling teeth. LOL

I knew about Colin but this is the first I heard of Keith being the challenge player. That's a good choice. It should be an enjoyable experience for all concerned.

Besides the one or two IPT players that have been the challange players I thought it would be nice for other IPT players to make an appearance if they are in the neighborhood.

Jake

Jimmy Wetch will be in Corpus This weekend as was Jason Miller last weekend in Michigan.

 

[ironman]

Im not so sure they wanted to go with ESPN for the IPT broadcast. Most of the time they are comparing IPT 8 ball format with the 9 ball format currently televised on ESPN, them putting the IPT on ESPN would only make them somewhat hippocritical.

I think they are trying to compete against ESPN pool. JMO.

After all, look at what ESPN has done for pool over the past 25 years. Why go there?

 

[Chris]

Im not so sure they wanted to go with ESPN for the IPT broadcast. Most of the time they are comparing IPT 8 ball format with the 9 ball format currently televised on ESPN, them putting the IPT on ESPN would only make them somewhat hippocritical.

I think they are trying to compete against ESPN pool. JMO.

If the idea is to promote pool, why the need for the IPT to compete against the WPBA or ESPN, which already televises a lot of pool?

 

[Icon of Sin]

After all, look at what ESPN has done for pool over the past 25 years. Why go there?

Hey man, not sure if you are being sarcastic and saying "ESPN has done a lot for pool" or saying "ESPN has done nothing for pool"

I am taking it more towards the ESPN has done nothing for pool but just clue me in if I am taking it the wrong way.

I think the IPT really jumped on OLN due to the changes it is making. Changing the channel's name to Versus and featuring competivive (alternative) sports unlike the mainstreams stuff you see everywhere (ie. Football, Baseball, Golf). This channels gives an ideal backdrop for Pool.

Along the lines of my opinion of ESPN. They havnt done to much good for Pool, at least not recently.. Grant they televise tournaments which is great because I watch a lot of them, but the majority of time it is on diring work hours (and repeats of old matches on ESPN classic). Nowadays all you ever see new on ESPN is the WPBA or Trickshots (Yes I saw the UPA broadcast and even saved the whole thing and how many of you were happy with that production???). Dont get me wrong though, the WPBA has some great playes and some of the trickshots are phenomenal, but after you seen two episodes of the trickshot shows you pretty much seen all the main shots from Pelinga, Massey and Rossman and after a few finals and Semis of the WPBA you get a little tired of constantly watching Allison win over Corr in the finals and Jeanette just coming a little shy in the Semis.

Dont get me wrong though. I love watching them shoot, they are all fantastic players and regardless of who is shooting, if it's on TV I am watching, but I would love to see other people shoot more.

So IMO, ESPN hasnt done to much for pool recently other then airing some matches with modified rules for TV purposes. How many versions of 7-Ball have been created over the past 30 years? I remember the Call table side version, another version that is almost the same as 9 ball except you have to call the 7 ball, and another version that is the same as the previous I mentioned except you get one saftey and if you miss its ball in hand whether it was a foul or not. I am only 27 and thats three I can count.

Who knows, Im excited about the IPT airing on OLN as opposed to ESPN because it is pretty much the exact opposite of ESPN's airings. Slow Cloth instead of fast cloth, 8 ball instead of 9 ball, men and women instead of just women.

The sad thing is I don't like 8 ball that much, I just tolerate playing it, but I love watching the pros play it.

 

[Icon of Sin]

If the idea is to promote pool, why the need for the IPT to compete against the WPBA or ESPN, which already televises a lot of pool?

They televise a lot of Pool at what times of the day? Usually around 11am and 12pm. When most people are at work. The only way I get to watch it is because I have it set to TIVO everytime it airs. It seems I am never home when Pool is on TV.

Now the IPT on OLN on the other hand is putting it right into Prime Time when most people are home. Sunday Evening and Sunday Night. It comes on at 7pm and 10pm. This way when Joe Workingman is at home drinking a beer flipping through the channels relaxing Sunday before going to work he might pass OLN and see some Pool on TV. Something he never has a chance to watch because it is never on when he is home, and look!, it's 8 ball, hey he knows a little about this game because he likes to play it with his buddies while at the bar occasionally.

This is all just my opinion. Im still a firm beleive that the IPT is a good thing. Whether it will stick around or not has yet to be seen. that is more up to Joe Workingman then Joe Poolplayer. The non pool players are the ones that are going to have to embrace it. We have already seen what happens when we (the pool players) embrace it. We get repeats of old matches on ESPN classic during the hours when we are not home.

Just my opinion though. Definately not trying to start an argument. I believe ESPN is great for covering other sports though, just not pool.

Technically, I dont think they are really competing against it (I am going to have to retract my previous statement), just trying to be different from it because it seems ESPN way of showing Pool isnt doing much for Pool at all. With the drastic difference in time slots and game format the only way it is competing is that it is Pool. its not the same game, not the same format, not the same time slot. People can watch both if they want, hell I do Now if Pool starts to get big and ESPN sees this and decides to move it into Prime Time on Sunday and the same timeslots, then it would a competition. All that means I would have to record one and watch the other in another room

 

[Chris]

They . . . room

I understand your points, and don't necessarily disagree. I do think that time slots are becoming less and less important with the advent of Tivo and DVRs. In the meantime, I'm not sure that a primetime slot is all that beneficial, as it has to compete with much more popular shows on the major networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, etc.).

The biggest problem I see with trying to use television to increase pool's popularity is that it is far more enjoyable to play pool than to watch pool being played.

 

[hippiepool]

perhaps one of the problems with the i.p.t. is that they cannot get a major network to air the matches . i would guess that the fact these networks get billions of advertising dollars from pharmaceutical companies, might keep them away from the i.p.t. ...i mean , it's just a wild guess......

 

[Icon of Sin]

The biggest problem I see with trying to use television to increase pool's popularity is that it is far more enjoyable to play pool than to watch pool being played.

I completely agree here. Even though us Pool Players can sit in front of the tube and watch Pool for hours, we'd still rather be shooting it.

Along the lines of the Major Networks (ABC, NBC, FOX etc...) there is no way they are going to drop their Sunday Lineups for anything really. This is why the IPT has to be on a different channel. Something like OLN, or TNT, or Bravo, or Spike even.

 

[nfty9er]

Did u see?

They televise a lot of Pool at what times of the day? Usually around 11am and 12pm. When most people are at work. The only way I get to watch it is because I have it set to TIVO everytime it airs. It seems I am never home when Pool is on TV.

Now the IPT on OLN on the other hand is putting it right into Prime Time when most people are home. Sunday Evening and Sunday Night. It comes on at 7pm and 10pm. This way when Joe Workingman is at home drinking a beer flipping through the channels relaxing Sunday before going to work he might pass OLN and see some Pool on TV. Something he never has a chance to watch because it is never on when he is home, and look!, it's 8 ball, hey he knows a little about this game because he likes to play it with his buddies while at the bar occasionally.

This is all just my opinion. Im still a firm beleive that the IPT is a good thing. Whether it will stick around or not has yet to be seen. that is more up to Joe Workingman then Joe Poolplayer. The non pool players are the ones that are going to have to embrace it. We have already seen what happens when we (the pool players) embrace it. We get repeats of old matches on ESPN classic during the hours when we are not home.

Just my opinion though. Definately not trying to start an argument. I believe ESPN is great for covering other sports though, just not pool.

Technically, I dont think they are really competing against it (I am going to have to retract my previous statement), just trying to be different from it because it seems ESPN way of showing Pool isnt doing much for Pool at all. With the drastic difference in time slots and game format the only way it is competing is that it is Pool. its not the same game, not the same format, not the same time slot. People can watch both if they want, hell I do Now if Pool starts to get big and ESPN sees this and decides to move it into Prime Time on Sunday and the same timeslots, then it would a competition. All that means I would have to record one and watch the other in another room

Now ESPN is showing Dominoes. lol. Or have they been and I missed it. Of course I am glad I did. I would venture however pool on primetime on espn would be a no go as their venue is too full with baseball, basketball and football the major sports with great ratings. Their fill ins now is poker which is highly watched too. As I said before pool on t.v. needs a catch to get an audience and I thinkk the best way is the way the ipt is leaning, more reality and personality. Like poker they need to cover what is going on , on all the tables and the status along with the kind of money they are playing for. Maybe in subsequent episodes they get into that.

 

[pooltchr]

As a Carolina boy, I have been watching quite a bit of the Hurricanes run for the Stanley Cup. I did notice when NHL was on OLN, that they did run quite a few promo's for the IPT during the NHL broadcasts. Hopefully, we will pick up a few hockey fans!
Steve