New Elevation Tour - N.A.C.P.B.A. ???

[Blackjack]

I had not heard of this tour at all until Scott Lee brought it up briefly during a phone conversation that we had on Thursday.

I received two other phone calls and two PM's about it and I had absolutely no idea what it was or who was behind it.

I checked out the website and found it to be poorly put together, sort of a rushed job IMO. It does not look like a first class web site like the IPT had.

For giggles I submitted the application and received an error message. Perhaps they have my IP address blocked and I'm barred from this tour as well?



With the downfall of the IPT in 2006, it has made it extremely difficult for ANYONE to follow in their footsteps to create anything viable and worthwhile for pool players. The investors will not invest in anything that has proven to have a failing track record with other investors. I'm not being negative, I am just stating the facts, and this is coming from somebody that has tried.

There is no collusion within the billiards industry. The players are not going to trust anybody so easily after what happened with the IPT. Anyone that tries to start a new tour will have an uphill battle, no matter how much money you generate.

Money is not the major issue with professional pool. The IPT proved that. We can have million dollar prize funds out the kazoo, but if we cannot market the sport outside our VERY SMALL market, then we will fail every single time.

Tournament pool has not, will not, will never sell to Joe Q. Public. Race to 7, race to 9, winner breaks, loser breaks, 10 ball, 7 ball, 9 ball, 8 ball, nobody could give a rat's ass outside the small spectrum of diehard fans who actually do give a rat's ass - and the number of rat's ass givers are fewer than you would think.

I don't know Mr. Dennis. I have never talked to him. I have nothing to do with this alphabet soup spawned tour, and FWIW I am in not in any position of power within the UPA as has been reported privately to other people within this forum. With that out of the way, I do have a suggestion for Mr. Dennis.

Get with Justin & Chad of the Action Challenge and invest this prize money into one on one matchups - main events and undercards in all 4 of those disciplines - and please please please - don't ignore the game of Bank Pool - it deserves the proper respect and dignity that has been given to the other games.

Other than that, business as usual in the billiards industry.

 

[Schmohawk]

My question is why can't someone just put together 12 events a year with about the same payouts as the US open. Why does someone try to do too much and crash after a few events. I hope this doesn't offend anyone but pool is not a million dollar sport or talent. I have always loved playing or watching a good game but I am convinced anyone can play the sport well with little time invested.

.....It took the US Open 30 years to get there remember. AT the start there were less than 30 entrants in a pool room that sat 35 tops! Try 12 of those and you will lose on everyone for 3-5 years minimum. That is still a lot of cash to burn.[COLOR="black"][/COLOR]

 

[Jaden]

My question is why can't someone just put together 12 events a year with about the same payouts as the US open. Why does someone try to do too much and crash after a few events. I hope this doesn't offend anyone but pool is not a million dollar sport or talent. I have always loved playing or watching a good game but I am convinced anyone can play the sport well with little time invested.

I hope this is just a jibe, because if you think that high level pool is easy, you're smoking crack and if you think that the top players don't deserve better than to be just scraping by, then you have no business playin pool at all IMO. I understand trying to ease the sport forward so that part of your post I feel is legitimate, but to say that anyone can play top level pool without a lot of effort is a shot in the face to those that have committed themselves to excellent pool.

 

[LC3]

Other head-scratching details include a $2,500 membership fee for each of the tour?s projected 128 members and $500-per-event entry fees, although all of the prize money and operating expenses allegedly will be covered by the anonymous investors.

"Nothing worth having is free," said Tim Dennis, director of operations for the NACPBA.

Quite the business acumen behind that answer. I don't get the impression he's inclined to explain much after this one: "Once the money is verifiable in the bank, who really gives a damn where it came from? That's my approach to that. To be quite honest, if some people have trouble with that, that's their problem." Actually, it's going to be his problem if his lack of openness results in a low turnout. Odd that a semi-pro player with 40 years in the game would show no sensitivity for the concerns of the post-IPT pro pool player.

 

[TSW]

He has a typo in his "Mission Statement." Doesn't inspire confidence.

The ONLY way any player should invest substantial time or money in a new IPT-style tour is if the funding is very clear, the revenue stream is apparent, and the payouts are placed in ESCROW prior to the start of play. Businesses routinely use escrow accounts for all manners of transactions; why not a pool tour?

Similarly, the ONLY way any investor should consider putting money into a new pool tour is if the revenue projections are transparent and logical.

This new tour hasn't shown either. It deserves to be ignored until it presents adequate details and projections.

I haven't read this entire thread, so forgive me if this was already mentioned.

 

[JCIN]

I think the posting of names and addresses of people who have done no harm on a public board is not right. I don't care if it is public domain. If someone wants to know let them figure out how to look for it.

Why don't we just post Mike Howerton or any other pool site business owners address as well. Look inspector gaget, they will either post or not. The whole CSI thing this early in the game is a little ridiculous.

There is such a thing as PERSEC (personal security regarding info on your name and location) on the internet. Would everyone here enjoy having their name and address posted in the open?

You can hit me with the "People have the right know" but I disagree. If they have done nothing but put up a website and NOT take any money, leave the public posting of personal information out.

I urge you to edit the personal info out of your post. How would you feel if someone did that to you? Posted your name, address, phone number, what your house is worth on here. For what?

 

[Johnnyt]

After reading the BD piece on the main page here at AZ, I have a hunch this might be for real. I like the fact that they don't want the $2500 right away. I also have a feeling that your going to see close to the top 128 on this tour, not the Bernies and "I use to be greats" like the IPT. I like the fact that their not trying to kiss anyons ass. If you don't feel right about it...don't join. If they showed the purse money is in the bank and I was a player...I'd sign up and play. What difference does it make where the money came from at this point. The other tour was funded with money stolen from the old and the sick. Look at what Don King has done for boxing...and he's a convicted murderer. Johnnyt

I take back this foolish statement until further notice. I think the feeling I had was gas. Johnnyt

 

[cueandcushion]

I can't think of a single drug in existance that could be classified as performance enhancing when it comes to cue sports.

Prove me wrong I dare you.

Imagine how good eveyone would play without alcohol then. Efren wouldn't have a chance against Ronnie. I knew it was holding him back!

 

[azhousepro]

Posting of personal information is not acceptable here. I don't think any of us would like our personal info posted.

Mike

 

[cueandcushion]

Our Past and Future both will haunt us.

Asking players to do community service + not gambling = 0 particapants

I was thinking the same thing. 80 hours community service. No gambling. No alchohol or drug use. Regulated clothing..."What? I cant wear my FUBU with rhinestone $$$$ all over it?" No way that 50% of the top 200 guys currently on tour can make that cut. The other 50% might be on Paxil for depression if they do! I hope someday that a tour comes along that succeeds. Don't know if this is it though. Seems like they are really wanting to start from scratch in terms of players, reputation, everything! Nascar took a sport based on moonshine running and made it a billion dollar industry. Maybe this is what it takes. I sure know I have NO CLUE what will happen with this whole NACPBA thing. I will be watching from the sidelines.

I would like to see a list of current pros that wont gamble at an event, wont drink, can pass a hair follicle drug test, volunteer on a regular basis, always dress really well, behave well.

 

[Blackjack]

I would like to see a list of current pros that wont gamble at an event, wont drink, can pass a hair follicle drug test, volunteer on a regular basis, always dress really well, behave well.

Tommy Kennedy
David Sapolis
Steve Lillis
Mike Massey
George and Jeanette (Lee) Breedlove
Robin Dodson
Belinda Calhoun
... I bet if I paid Scotty Townsend a few bucks he wouldn't drink at an event, but he'd probably get plastered afterwards... With him, the cussing is another story, though. lol


The drug testing is a requirement for the IOC (International Olympic Committee) as it is part of the their anti-doping policy.

 

[ironman]

Tommy Kennedy
David Sapolis
Steve Lillis
Mike Massey
George and Jeanette (Lee) Breedlove
Robin Dodson
Belinda Calhoun
... I bet if I paid Scotty Townsend a few bucks he wouldn't drink at an event, but he'd probably get plastered afterwards... With him, the cussing is another story, though. lol


The drug testing is a requirement for the IOC (International Olympic Committee) as it is part of the their anti-doping policy.

There are many more to add to the list as well, but I won't waste time doing so. As in most walks of life there are more good people than bad. Some just love hovering over the so called bad image like a Vulture.

 

[Fragged]

There are many more to add to the list as well, but I won't waste time doing so. As in most walks of life there are more good people than bad. Some just love hovering over the so called bad image like a Vulture.

good people? bad people??

If you go back 20 years there may not be two on that list that would pass ANY of those standards. In fact I would argue a couple might flunk some right now and I wouldnt consider them 'bad'. If you get a job assisting ST Peter, I hope it's well after I am dead!!

 

[Jaden]

good people? bad people??

If you go back 20 years there may not be two on that list that would pass ANY of those standards. In fact I would argue a couple might flunk some right now and I wouldnt consider them 'bad'. If you get a job assisting ST Peter, I hope it's well after I am dead!!

Yeah and it's funny that pool has been declining rapidly ever since about twenty years ago. Maybe that fact that you stated had something to do with the popularized negative image of pool.

 

[Fragged]

Yeah and it's funny that pool has been declining rapidly ever since about twenty years ago. Maybe that fact that you stated had something to do with the popularized negative image of pool.

.

I think im too stoned to get what you are saying.

 

[SUPERSTAR]

Like i said when the IPT was starting up.

I have seen the pool messiah come and go, and i'm not naive when it comes to stuff like this.

SO, if it turns out to be legit, then i'll gladly eat my words, but until then, i'll sit by idly and watch.

The drug testing is a GREAT IDEA.
Get all those frigging pill junkies out of the closet where they belong!

 

[smashmouth]

if the money is there, players will tow the line, just like they did with the IPT

 

[watchez]

Did Michael Vick, Pacman Jones, Chris Henry, Mike Tyson, Pete Rose, that ref in the NBA, Rae Carruth, Cecil Collins, Tank Johnson, Jamal Lewis, Dexter Manley, Bam Morris, Mercury Morris, Nate Newton, Art Schlichter, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Ugueth Urbina, Isaiah Rider, Mike Danton, Craig Mactavish, Trevor Berbick, Hurrican Carter and Tonya Harding all TOW THE LINE???? And the line they were towing was a lot more profitable than pool.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

I can't think of a single drug in existance that could be classified as performance enhancing when it comes to cue sports.

Prove me wrong I dare you.

Any beta blocker prevents you from anxiety or getting nervous. Playing for that kind of money - that's an advantage because it prevents you from losing performance based on heart rate and nerves. If I was playing, I'd plop an propranolol (sp?) and walk to my first match with nerves of steel.

Did I win?

 

[watchez]

You beat me to it. I take metoprolol and do know that since beta blockers lower heart rate and reduce tremor, they have been used by some Olympic marksmen to enhance performance, though beta blockers are banned by the International Olympic Committee.