Is the UPA that wrong?

smokeandapancak

smokeandapancak

what?
Silver Member
Reading all of the threads over the last few days got my to thinking.
What's so bad about the non compete clause used by the UPA?

If we are to ever have a popular/marketable/profitable/whatever mens tour, then we HAVE to have one organization step up... you dont see NBA players playing in different leagues...cause they are NBA players..


We need to have ONE GROUP step up and set the STANDARD...so people know how to play the game...as of now there are umpteen sets of rules for each and every game. That fact alone will stop any chance of growing the game on a national level..

We need or standard, one set of rules, one way to play, and one governing body to over see the players and fans, and to also promote the uniformity needed to solidify the game and produce a consistent recognizable product.

If the UPA (or anyone) were to get all of the players playing under one code then I think you would see pool take off. The non cpmpete/ exclusive contracts are the first step to that.............


Thanks
Shane
 
smokeandapancak said:
Reading all of the threads over the last few days got my to thinking.
What's so bad about the non compete clause used by the UPA?

If we are to ever have a popular/marketable/profitable/whatever mens tour, then we HAVE to have one organization step up... you dont see NBA players playing in different leagues...cause they are NBA players..


We need to have ONE GROUP step up and set the STANDARD...so people know how to play the game...as of now there are umpteen sets of rules for each and every game. That fact alone will stop any chance of growing the game on a national level..

We need or standard, one set of rules, one way to play, and one governing body to over see the players and fans, and to also promote the uniformity needed to solidify the game and produce a consistent recognizable product.

If the UPA (or anyone) were to get all of the players playing under one code then I think you would see pool take off. The non cpmpete/ exclusive contracts are the first step to that.............


Thanks
Shane
Click to expand...

All I know is when they had it in Athens, GA. (When CW ran it) they had a big controversy with a rule change in the middle of the season and a few of the players walked out because they didnt feel that they should make changes during the middle of the season. Seemed very unorganized and only wanting to satisfy certain players. Also, CW charged an entry into the event for spectators..which is fine, but he kept 80% of the money and the venue got the other 20%. This is after The Brass Rail had put up about $10,000 for the event. They said they lost too much money on the deal and would never have it there again. And they werent the first place to say this and swear off the UPA. Not sure how it is being run now, but without CW at the helm, it has to be better. JMO.


Southpaw
 
Well see that's the thing.......

I dont give two poops about what configuration of the letter I/P/U/A/W/C are used.. I am just saying that one body and one set of rules are what we need to properly promote and grow pool.
 
It is a topic which has gotten beaten to death in days gone by, most likely before some current-day "regular" posters became AzBilliards members.

It is difficult to have an organization require its members to be exclusive and play only in the organization's events. The organization needs to have a legitimate tour in order to do this.

The model that had been used in the past was for the organization to demand -- strong-arm -- monies from independent promoters and then threaten them that the organization members will not play in their events if they don't pay the organization. Then, if the independent promoters elect not to pay, the organization would deliberately schedule an event the same date as the already-scheduled independent promoter's event, just for spite.

I won't even delve into topic of the legally binding contract, without benefit of counsel, concept.

What's more is that pool players cannot afford to skip pool tournaments in today's market. If money-making opportunities were plentiful in pool, then it would be a different story.

Also, the hypothetical organization must be transparent. All players must be treated equal, and there has to be established rules that are not changed willy nilly, as well as ranking system that is adhered to.

In sum, from past experience, IMHO, a pool player who is currently competing as a professional is put in a difficult position if he/she is at the helm of this organization. There is one school of thought that a business-minded person who is not a currently competing professional pool player would be a better choice.

JAM
 
JAM said:
What's more is that pool players cannot afford to skip pool tournaments in today's market. If money-making opportunities were plentiful in pool, then it would be a different story.

Also, the hypothetical organization must be transparent. All players must be treated equal, and there has to be established rules that are not changed willy nilly, as well as ranking system that is adhered to.

JAM
Click to expand...

JAM is right here, poolplayers can't stick with one tour since the money earned on that tour don't pay their bills.

The IPT could have made it, if they had used real money instead of monopolymoney.

The WPA is on it's way of making it, I believe, but they need a strong under-organization in the US.

In Europe there is EPBF, who is running and improving a big tour, the Eurotour. Unfortunately, this tour is not enough for the pros to make a living, so players in Europe must be able to compete in other tournaments in Europe too, also conflicting tours, IMO.

Still WPA and EPBF lacks a lot when it comes to treat players/nations equal, but that belongs in another thread.
 
smokeandapancak said:
Reading all of the threads over the last few days got my to thinking.
What's so bad about the non compete clause used by the UPA?

If we are to ever have a popular/marketable/profitable/whatever mens tour, then we HAVE to have one organization step up... you dont see NBA players playing in different leagues...cause they are NBA players..


We need to have ONE GROUP step up and set the STANDARD...so people know how to play the game...as of now there are umpteen sets of rules for each and every game. That fact alone will stop any chance of growing the game on a national level..

We need or standard, one set of rules, one way to play, and one governing body to over see the players and fans, and to also promote the uniformity needed to solidify the game and produce a consistent recognizable product.

If the UPA (or anyone) were to get all of the players playing under one code then I think you would see pool take off. The non cpmpete/ exclusive contracts are the first step to that.............


Thanks
Shane[/QUOTE

In pool we keep reinventing the wheel, one tour or organization after another in most part run by players. We need to mold our tour after a modle that is proven to be sucessfull. The PGA as an example. The director of the golf tour is a business person and runs the tour as a business. Their board of directors are comprised of players, sponsors, marketing and other business people. A good module to follow. Once golf was a low paying huslers sport (sound familiar) now big business with players reaping lots of bucks. We need to go outside of pool to people who know how to market pool to sponsors that aren't in the billiard industry. I could ramble on all day but i'm sure you get the picture.
Click to expand...
 
The WPBA does pretty much the same - you have to sign a contract with them and receive (not sure of the exact word), but in short a waiver to play other events, although it does not appear to be all that hard to qualify a large event using their system. Why would it be so terrible to have the same for the men? Everyone is always stating the WPBA is run so well, why not use it as an example then? just a thought.
 
9balllvr said:
The WPBA does pretty much the same - you have to sign a contract with them and receive (not sure of the exact word), but in short a waiver to play other events, although it does not appear to be all that hard to qualify a large event using their system. Why would it be so terrible to have the same for the men? Everyone is always stating the WPBA is run so well, why not use it as an example then? just a thought.
Click to expand...

Everyone says that but I would wonder why? They used to have 16 tournaments a year, now they have 7 or 8. Most of There top players have no real sponsors and the WPBA hasto pay ESPN to carry the show almost like it is an infomercial.

They change rules and formats constantly. A couple of players seem to have the grunge look. Id love to see the dress code because it must be full of llopholes

I dont believe one in 200 people on the street could correctly name one player. THe events are held in increasingly remote venues. I think they are just hanging on and desparately need an overhaul.
 
When they tried to make the rule change there was a bunch of us that thought it was wrong.
They tried to take a vote on different rules.
If it wasn't for me and my big mouth CW would have gotten his way along with the rest of them.
It seemed like I was a cry baby but people that practiced the advertised way for 3 or more weeks preparing and if we changed the rules all the prep. would have been for nothing.
Nobody that I know walked out because of that.
WHY IS COMMON SENSE AND DOING THE RIGHT THING SO HARD TO SEE IN OUR SPORT.
WOULD THESE PROMOTERS / POOL PLAYERS PLEASE THINK OF US FOR ONCE AND NOT POLITICS AND THEMSELVES.
THEN WE'LL HAVE A TOUR WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Last edited:
Shawn Putnam said:
When they tried to make the rule change there was a bunch of us that thought it was wrong.
They tried to take a vote on different rules.
If it wasn't for me and my big mouth CW would have gotten his way along with the rest of them.
It seemed like I was a cry baby but people that practiced the advertised way for 3 or more weeks preparing and if we changed the rules all the prep. would have been for nothing.
Nobody that I know walked out because of that.
WHY IS COMMON SENSE AND DOING THE RIGHT THING SO HARD TO SEE IN OUR SPORT.
wOULD THESE PROMOTERS / POOL PLAYERS PLEASE THINK OF US FOR ONCE AND NOT POLITICS AND THEMSELVES.
THEN WE'LL HAVE A TOUR WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

it is too bad we didn't get to talk earlier at First Break - think it would have been a good conversation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top