Maybe Some National News is the Answer

Get_A_Grip

Get_A_Grip

Truth Will Set You Free
Silver Member
I realize that professional pool is a fringe sport, with very little following in the US. But the more that I think about it...I just can't understand why the goings on with the IPT and the players not getting paid has not made national news. We're not talking about insignificant amounts of money here...

With KT's past history, infomercials, and legal troubles, I would think that this would make for a good news story. Maybe if the non-payment troubles made some national news reports, it would stimulate some action from the IPT?

I mean, it is possible that if this story hit the mainstream news...that it would have an adverse impact...and it could push the IPT into doing something that none of us want to happen...but just maybe, putting this story out in the mainstream news could help.

It's just a thought...but I really am surprised that all of the news of a potential buy-out of the IPT and the non-payments of significant sums of money haven't received any significant reporting in the mainstream news...

Am I missing something here?
 
Get_A_Grip said:
I realize that professional pool is a fringe sport, with very little following in the US. But the more that I think about it...I just can't understand why the goings on with the IPT and the players not getting paid has not made national news. We're not talking about insignificant amounts of money here...

With KT's past history, infomercials, and legal troubles, I would think that this would make for a good news story. Maybe if the non-payment troubles made some national news reports, it would stimulate some action from the IPT?

I mean, it is possible that if this story hit the mainstream news...that it would have an adverse impact...and it could push the IPT into doing something that none of us want to happen...but just maybe, putting this story out in the mainstream news could help.

It's just a thought...but I really am surprised that all of the news of a potential buy-out of the IPT and the non-payments of significant sums of money haven't received any significant reporting in the mainstream news...

Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...

No, you aren't missing anything at all. It has been, as Jake says, 20 days and hardly even a word.

Qualifiers continue to be held. Money, and a substantial amount is being collected. The attitude of, dont't call us, we'll call you continues.

There is no communication. The lines of communication have been cut except to collect for the qualifiers.

KT said, "by the way, I no longer own the IPT".

The order of explanations concerning payment is the silliest thing imaginable.
Players are to be paid Sunday-The checks didn't arrive on time-it takes time to make the checks out-the checks will be sent in a few days-now the IRSetc and on and on.

Then the IPT has been sold. Well, no, we have signed a "letter of intent".

If mainstream news gets involved, it very well could have an adverse effect by forcing the IPT hand. Maybe it would be best for all concerned. They shoot horses.
 
jimmy-leggs said:
and what i want to know is,who is stupid enough to enter a qualifer knowing what we know now.
Click to expand...

Well stupidity might be a strong word. But, could be very appropriate too.

It is though, very mysterious.
 
Evidently pool is just completely ignored in the States.

All these top prizes, $30,000 to the retired HOF'ers, $350,000 and $500,000 purses for 1st place, and not a peep out of the press.

Nothing on radio or TV.

Then it looks like the players are being stiffed and are not going to receive their money and still no word from the press.

That, to me, is really amazing. The hell with the men, think of Allison Fisher and Ewa Laurence, not being paid. They can't attract one TV reporter to broadcast their state of affairs?

Maybe some of these Florida players should contact 6 on your side and see if they will run a story on this.

Is pool really that taboo of a subject with the press?

Jake
 
jimmy-leggs said:
and what i want to know is,who is stupid enough to enter a qualifer knowing what we know now.
Click to expand...
Your right. I don't know why anyone would pay, but it seems that a lot of the players are playing, because they a free qualifier entry. They paid for the first one before this whole mess. I would play too, if it was free. At least you get good practice. (which may be all you get!)
 
Isn't this

just trying to exert some type of leverage over KT? If he is having money problems, it would not solve the situation. He is going to do what he wants to .... period.

Yes, newspapers and the media in general will not give coverage for Pool. I have sent information and material several times to our local Sports Editor, and he will not put anything in the sports pages about Pool. Even when Gabe won the US Open.

Player's complaining could be a lose-lose situation for them unless the whole tour goes under. Efren might get away with it, but I don't think others would.
 
Get_A_Grip said:
I realize that professional pool is a fringe sport, with very little following in the US. But the more that I think about it...I just can't understand why the goings on with the IPT and the players not getting paid has not made national news. We're not talking about insignificant amounts of money here...

With KT's past history, infomercials, and legal troubles, I would think that this would make for a good news story. Maybe if the non-payment troubles made some national news reports, it would stimulate some action from the IPT?

I mean, it is possible that if this story hit the mainstream news...that it would have an adverse impact...and it could push the IPT into doing something that none of us want to happen...but just maybe, putting this story out in the mainstream news could help.

It's just a thought...but I really am surprised that all of the news of a potential buy-out of the IPT and the non-payments of significant sums of money haven't received any significant reporting in the mainstream news...

Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...




This kind of bad publicity would be the worst thing, IMO.

We don't know the reasons why the checks hasn't arrive, and we don't know for sure if they will arrive, or not. I believe myself, that they will arrive. IPT - if it's going to be succesfull - is so BIG thing for our sport, that we should be patient, wait, and see.

KT has always asked help from the players and fans, so the IPT would be succesful. If we bash the IPT in media, it's the worst thing we could do. I'm looking much further than to just receive a check from Reno, I hope the IPT will be succesfull, and I'm ready to put my quick temperament and impatiency aside.

We don't loose anything if we wait some time, even till Chigago.
 
jjinfla said:
Evidently pool is just completely ignored in the States.

All these top prizes, $30,000 to the retired HOF'ers, $350,000 and $500,000 purses for 1st place, and not a peep out of the press.

Nothing on radio or TV.

Then it looks like the players are being stiffed and are not going to receive their money and still no word from the press.

That, to me, is really amazing. The hell with the men, think of Allison Fisher and Ewa Laurence, not being paid. They can't attract one TV reporter to broadcast their state of affairs?

Maybe some of these Florida players should contact 6 on your side and see if they will run a story on this.

Is pool really that taboo of a subject with the press?

Jake
Click to expand...

Jake,
If no one sends out a press release, it does not hit the news. Obviously with the huge staff of the IPT, no one has been given that job. I suspect they don't want the results to hit the national media. I won't get into the reasons why now.
 
jjinfla said:
Evidently pool is just completely ignored in the States.

All these top prizes, $30,000 to the retired HOF'ers, $350,000 and $500,000 purses for 1st place, and not a peep out of the press.

Nothing on radio or TV.

Then it looks like the players are being stiffed and are not going to receive their money and still no word from the press.

That, to me, is really amazing. The hell with the men, think of Allison Fisher and Ewa Laurence, not being paid. They can't attract one TV reporter to broadcast their state of affairs?

Maybe some of these Florida players should contact 6 on your side and see if they will run a story on this.

Is pool really that taboo of a subject with the press?

Jake
Click to expand...

Back in the 80's while still on the road, we were in Salt Lake City. I opened the Monday paper and in the sports section was small article mentioning Bob Vanover B%R 9 racks in the finals of The Texas Open. That is the last I remember seeing anything about Pool in a Newspaper again, grante, I was away from the game for 9 years.

My point, is yes I believe {at least here in Texas} Pool is that taboo. We started a regional tour down here 4 years ago and wrote up a Press Release and sent it to Newspapaers in Dallasl,Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. None would release it for us and each gave the same reason, they wanted no part of the "Image".

I then started looking into advertising in the monthly periodicals and was abxolutely shocked when I saw their monthly, world-wide circulations. I didn't know what to expect, but, all three were at about 22,000 copies per month, again, world-wide. I would have guessed Texas to have subscribed to about half that, at least. Well, I couldn't really justify spending $1000-1200 per month on full page adds, so that was out.

The next option was the Net. After 6 months of registerin members etc we started the bulk E-mail. Again I was shocked,as only 42% of our members listed e-mail addresses and 14% of those were bad.

Take these numbers as one wants or for what they are, but I'm curious as to what the IPT expected, and just how shocked they are. TV ratings are low and I'm curious as to what their membership base looks like.

Don't be let me be misunderstood, I'm well aware that we are like Gold fish in the Ocean compared to the IPT, but for these reasons, it doesn't surprise me at all that there is no National Coverage or attention. As I go town to town and pass out fliers talk to people, it still surprises me just how many people have never heard of the IPT. Most who have some awareness could care less.

Pool, the game/sport, really does not have a very big fan base. The pool world still, is a very small comunity compared to most sports.

The solution, I don't really have the slightest dam clue, but I do have one stat that is rather intresting: The IPT works well for our little Tour. We are in our 4th year. During the 1st three years we averaged 68 men per month and 24 women. So far this year since the IPT has begun, we are averaging 83 men per month and 24 women. Why, a big part of the reason is that we no longer have Jermys, Hillbilly's, Gabe's, Cliff's, Corey's,etc. visiting us. They are too focused on The IPT. Don't take me wrong, I miss these guys and they will always be welcome, anywhere, anytime. The proof is in the numbers.

My point, I'm not really sure other than why isn't there any National attention? The media just does not care. They do not as much as I hate this excuse/reason , wnat to support the IMAGE.

You brought an intresting point though, I bet they would listen to the Women.
 
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