This will be the only post made. I do not personally go on AZB, and I let my staff use this account. Nor have I read any of the other posts, threads, etc and I won't be. We post on AZB only to inform pool fans of legitimate events of Dragon Promotions and try to promote positives in the sport. Im not going to read or reply to comments on this. Everyone can decide their own opinion.
But for this post, this is all me.
1) Mike's accusation of him being cheated out of a seed, group, misplacement, rigging etc are all false and based on his own conjectures of his imagination.
2) Mike has accepted and declined his participation in the World 14.1 back and forth a total of 4 times over 30 day period.
3) My offering to help him to get to the event was out of kindness when he said he was broke.
4) Mike later reneged on playing and demanded a free entry fee and based it on that he was on a TV show. I told him no worries he doesnt have to play.
5) He messaged me back 5 mins later that he would put himself in the event, which my response was that is a much better thing to do and what we prefer.
6) On site, he came in person and handed me credit card. He saw the chart and got agitated when he saw Mika Immonen's name above his. We explained this was of no consequence. He refused our explanation. He wanted his name moved to another group and to be placed above at the top.
7) We made another attempt and pointed out to him he was still a seeded player (despite all his dropouts) and in my opinion , in a very good group where he was favored well.
8) I then asked with finality, do you want to play or do you want us to take your name out. He answered take it out. I gave his card back.
9) Mike then used a series of profane language cursing me and the event out and stormed off. Moments he came back and looked at his group very closely, and then I received a phone call from his sponsor which was a cordial conversation which I interpreted as to see if he could get back in the event. Which at that point after all his antics, the answer was a No.
10) Mike made none of these current accusations of "rigging" in person at the event, he only relayed to us that he thought he wasnt a top seed, which was untrue. And the fact that he insisted his name should be above Mika Immonen.
11) The conspiracy theory of us moving his position back and forth came way after.Likely from the backlash of criticism he received for pulling out hastily and realizing he would not be placed back into the field despite his ultimatums.
About me: some of you already know that today our business model at Dragon Promotions does not rely on pool or billiard companies. We have all but eliminated pool from DP and maintain a small core of events, and have expanded into other industries.
Myself and my staff work 8 months to put the World 14.1 together out of love and dedication for pool and the players & fans, even when this is the worst time I've ever seen in the history of pro pool. The event is impossible to profit off of, and when factoring payroll, expenses, and time, will definitely be a money loser.
On a personal note: Mike Dechaine has called upon my help several times over the years. He has called me and talk to me numerous times with me consulting on how to better his career, and my advice on how to get along with his peers and sponsors. He has had numerous incidents with numerous top players on tour. I've had to step in on his behalf on more than one occasion, especially during my time as captain of Team USA at Mosconi when players on both sides had grievances with him. I felt sympathy for him when he was later passed over even for consideration as the #2 ranked player later, but understood the reasons. I was also instrumental on his behalf in getting his first major sponsorship with a cue company after they originally passed him over, and I re-convinced them to give him a second chance.
The reason for the above is to paint a history of our relationship which probably is very different than some may have thought. I've never asked anything of Mike and have always been there to help him when he asked. Including this time.
I think he's a very talented player and it's a shame there's not many avenues to showcase his talent. Which is why I made a sizable effort to get him to the World 14.1.
Unfortunately the result is in tune with others who have tried to do the same for him.
