I hesitated responding to any post concerning Marks new vision on the future of Pool, thinking my input would be considered slanted, obviously Diamond would benefit financially from such an endeavor. But what the heck, people are going to believe what they want anyway. Besides, I have a lot of insider information that would be beneficial in making an intelligent decision whether or not to jump on his band wagon.
I may as well say this now. Marks financial involvement in Diamond came at a time that I have to say saved Diamond and led to what it is today! Sure, some other person could have stepped up, as we were seeking funds to build 250 smart tables and get the company going, but Mark did what he promised and even exceeded the amounts first discussed. I'm not trying to slight anyone, because many people filled important positions in getting the company going, but without Mark's help, who knows?
I just returned from the BCA tournament in Vegas. Many people may not be aware why or how Mark acquired the ownership of this prestigious event. This is a long story, however I'm going to try and give you the short version, if I can...... Mark came to Diamonds rescue. I had been waiting for several years to bid on the use of Diamond tables in the BCA amateur event. I don't remember the exact year, but Diamond won the bid for the Professional Tournament on ESPN during the BCA League, using our tables. ........This is a yearly bid and was a big step for Diamond at that time, $25,000 plus expenses......... During that time we also asked to bid on the amateur tournament, approx. 250 tables. We were informed no one had ever asked to bid on the amateur tournament before, but we insured the BCA 3 different times that we were serious. .........End result a multi year contract came into being, without a BCA board meeting,,,,,, that kept us out for years!!! Definitely IMO illegal, rather than waste money and time in court we decided to seek the 250 APA Tournament to introduce our new Smart Tables and wait on the BCA contract to expire, then bid........ { Looks like any chance of a short version isn't going to work!}....... Anyway that's where Mark comes in. He buys the BCA League allowing us to use Diamond Tables in the BCA League, not knowing it would cost us our relationship with the APA! Then poor Mark finds himself in a terrible fight for survival of the league he just bought, being confronted by a new league called ACS run by the previous person in charge of the league he just purchased? The rest is history! Mark pulled it off!! The BCA League is growing! And I think evolving! ......... Just wanted to show his commitment to business and his ability to work hard and fight for what he believes in!!
Something else I think warrants mentioning. Sure Mark is working for the benefit of Diamond of which he has is a partner, but it's way more than that. He?s out for POOL. Did anyone notice that Mark allowed Brunswick tables at his BCA event. He sure didn't have to! Also he helped Dragon Promotions and Predator move their event out of a pool room to a higher stage with more exposure for all involved. Two professional events at an amateur tournament allowed the pros a chance for more needed income as well as entertaining and inspiring his league members to improve.
It's getting late. My hours are all turned around and I type to *** slow. Last thing I've got to say is there's much more to mention that Mark has done to help Pool, but I'm getting tired and more can be said later..I'm not going to say how much money Mark has, but I will say he's not Bill Gates and he's digging deep in his pockets with all the pool related hats he's wearing. So all the people who want pool to be all it can be, please help him, he can make it happen with you're help!!! Many of his friends call him "Lucky Mark" and I believe I know why!!
I may as well say this now. Marks financial involvement in Diamond came at a time that I have to say saved Diamond and led to what it is today! Sure, some other person could have stepped up, as we were seeking funds to build 250 smart tables and get the company going, but Mark did what he promised and even exceeded the amounts first discussed. I'm not trying to slight anyone, because many people filled important positions in getting the company going, but without Mark's help, who knows?
I just returned from the BCA tournament in Vegas. Many people may not be aware why or how Mark acquired the ownership of this prestigious event. This is a long story, however I'm going to try and give you the short version, if I can...... Mark came to Diamonds rescue. I had been waiting for several years to bid on the use of Diamond tables in the BCA amateur event. I don't remember the exact year, but Diamond won the bid for the Professional Tournament on ESPN during the BCA League, using our tables. ........This is a yearly bid and was a big step for Diamond at that time, $25,000 plus expenses......... During that time we also asked to bid on the amateur tournament, approx. 250 tables. We were informed no one had ever asked to bid on the amateur tournament before, but we insured the BCA 3 different times that we were serious. .........End result a multi year contract came into being, without a BCA board meeting,,,,,, that kept us out for years!!! Definitely IMO illegal, rather than waste money and time in court we decided to seek the 250 APA Tournament to introduce our new Smart Tables and wait on the BCA contract to expire, then bid........ { Looks like any chance of a short version isn't going to work!}....... Anyway that's where Mark comes in. He buys the BCA League allowing us to use Diamond Tables in the BCA League, not knowing it would cost us our relationship with the APA! Then poor Mark finds himself in a terrible fight for survival of the league he just bought, being confronted by a new league called ACS run by the previous person in charge of the league he just purchased? The rest is history! Mark pulled it off!! The BCA League is growing! And I think evolving! ......... Just wanted to show his commitment to business and his ability to work hard and fight for what he believes in!!
Something else I think warrants mentioning. Sure Mark is working for the benefit of Diamond of which he has is a partner, but it's way more than that. He?s out for POOL. Did anyone notice that Mark allowed Brunswick tables at his BCA event. He sure didn't have to! Also he helped Dragon Promotions and Predator move their event out of a pool room to a higher stage with more exposure for all involved. Two professional events at an amateur tournament allowed the pros a chance for more needed income as well as entertaining and inspiring his league members to improve.
It's getting late. My hours are all turned around and I type to *** slow. Last thing I've got to say is there's much more to mention that Mark has done to help Pool, but I'm getting tired and more can be said later..I'm not going to say how much money Mark has, but I will say he's not Bill Gates and he's digging deep in his pockets with all the pool related hats he's wearing. So all the people who want pool to be all it can be, please help him, he can make it happen with you're help!!! Many of his friends call him "Lucky Mark" and I believe I know why!!
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