Players Attempting to Unionize?

First, any one of the players could do this whether a player association is formed or not. Second, the top players probably make 75% of their prize money from WPA sanctioned events. Why on earth would they give that up just to make a political statement? I'd be surprised if there was even one top player willing to make that kind of sacrifice.

You may recall Stu that professional players did exactly that in 1964 when Cisero was barred from play because he was black. That picket, and Cisero's resulting world championship, is one of the high marks in pool history.
 
You may recall Stu that professional players did exactly that in 1964 when Cisero was barred from play because he was black. That picket, and Cisero's resulting world championship, is one of the high marks in pool history.
While admirable, that was a completely different set of circumstances vs Fedor/Christina's situation.
 
I think the reason Pool players are abused, and taken advantage of is because they do not fight back. Plus have to many Group running pro events, with different rules, differing organizers, and different scantioning group.

They have attitude something is better nothing, and most have no other means to suppress self, or skill at much but Pool.

Gambling, hustling, maybe teaching, working as house man, and tournaments is all they got.

Event amateurs get abused, and take it.
 
You may recall Stu that professional players did exactly that in 1964 when Cisero was barred from play because he was black. That picket, and Cisero's resulting world championship, is one of the high marks in pool history.
I am very well familiar with that incident but a civil rights protest that fit nicely into the broader landscape of the many civil rights demonstrations going on at roughly the same time in America (for example, the march on Washington and the Selma march) is a different puppy.

Although some players boycotted, most of them didn't. It was the NAACP's leadership in the protest that delivered the day on that occasion and the NAACP was the reason that the demonstration got all the press it did. Yes, the NAACP carried a lot of political clout during the years of the Lyndon Johnson presidency. A year later, when the field for the 1965 World Championships was assembled, the fruits of their efforts were realized.

Agreed that there's some parallel here, but the issues in play are not at all similar, and I am hard pressed to see a similar path to victory were players to opt for a boycott.
 
I am very well familiar with that incident but a civil rights protest that fit nicely into the broader landscape of the many civil rights demonstrations going on at roughly the same time in America (for example, the march on Washington and the Selma march) is a different puppy.

Although some players boycotted, most of them didn't. It was the NAACP's leadership in the protest that delivered the day on that occasion and the NAACP was the reason that the demonstration got all the press it did. Yes, the NAACP carried a lot of political clout during the years of the Lyndon Johnson presidency. A year later, when the field for the 1965 World Championships was assembled, the fruits of their efforts were realized.

Agreed that there's some parallel here, but the issues in play are not at all similar, and I am hard pressed to see a similar path to victory were players to opt for a boycott.

Agreed on these points and that a player protest isn't going anywhere. But a ban on Russian players literally violates the same civil rights law as a ban on African American players.
 
I think the reason Pool players are abused, and taken advantage of is because they do not fight back. Plus have to many Group running pro events, with different rules, differing organizers, and different scantioning group.

They have attitude something is better nothing, and most have no other means to suppress self, or skill at much but Pool.

Gambling, hustling, maybe teaching, working as house man, and tournaments is all they got.

Event amateurs get abused, and take it.
I think your definition of "abuse" is absurd.
 
I think your definition of "abuse" is absurd.

Well what would you call it stupidity❓

Recall year back Pool Bar advertised 7, or 8 and under 9 Tournament, the draw was “$200.00 ADDED”.

When for 1230 sign up, was advertised 1:00 start. About 1245 there were maybe 10 people wanting to play.

I asked owner this thing happening, and are you add ADVERTISED $200.00?

Well the reply I got was might hold off until 130, can’t do do the $200.00.

I showed him his advertisement, said Guarantee Add $200.00.

He change his mind, I did also, eventually the place closed.

Heard week later event happen with 12, add was like 50 bucks. 12 got taken on ride.
 
Agreed on these points and that a player protest isn't going anywhere. But a ban on Russian players literally violates the same civil rights law as a ban on African American players.
They are not banned because of their race, they are banned as part of sanctions against their country for waging unprovoked war (targeting heavily populated civilian areas) on a peaceful neighbor. IMO, it's like comparing apples to ball bearings.
 
Well what would you call it stupidity❓

Recall year back Pool Bar advertised 7, or 8 and under 9 Tournament, the draw was “$200.00 ADDED”.

When for 1230 sign up, was advertised 1:00 start. About 1245 there were maybe 10 people wanting to play.

I asked owner this thing happening, and are you add ADVERTISED $200.00?

Well the reply I got was might hold off until 130, can’t do do the $200.00.

I showed him his advertisement, said Guarantee Add $200.00.

He change his mind, I did also, eventually the place closed.

Heard week later event happen with 12, add was like 50 bucks. 12 got taken on ride.
If players felt abused, they can not show up. If they show up, they are clearly OK with the terms.
 
If players felt abused, they can not show up. If they show up, they are clearly OK with the terms.

When you change terms
day of event that is bull💩.

That is why I said homeward bound, 🐂💩.

The advertisement should have been honored, had they done as advertised, they would have been hero’s.
 
They are not banned because of their race, they are banned as part of sanctions against their country for waging unprovoked war (targeting heavily populated civilian areas) on a peaceful neighbor. IMO, it's like comparing apples to ball bearings.

Incorrect. Our civil rights laws are not limited to race and protect national origin as well. The US sanctions do not bar Russians from working (or playing in pool tournaments) in the US. The IOC created that rule and it was followed by the WPA. No other pro sport in the US is barring Russian players.

That being said, of course Fedor is not in the same boat as Cisero in 1964. But we should still speak up to protect our sport whe our pool overlords do stupid (and illegal) things.
 
Agreed on these points and that a player protest isn't going anywhere. But a ban on Russian players literally violates the same civil rights law as a ban on African American players.
I can't see the similarity. Restrictions placed on the citizens of a nation that wages an unprovoked attack is a practice that goes back at least 2500 years and no, it's not a matter of civil rights.
 
Incorrect. Our civil rights laws are not limited to race and protect national origin as well. The US sanctions do not bar Russians from working (or playing in pool tournaments) in the US. The IOC created that rule and it was followed by the WPA. No other pro sport in the US is barring Russian players.

That being said, of course Fedor is not in the same boat as Cisero in 1964. But we should still speak up to protect our sport whe our pool overlords do stupid (and illegal) things.
The IOC made the call because Russian Olympic athletes are sponsored by the state and create revenue for the state, hence the sanction. Tennis may soon join the ranks as there is speculation Russian national tennis players may not be able to compete at Wimbledon.
 
Sorry Stu, you are totally wrong on this. The 1964 Civil Rights Act was specifically drafted to address this issue in response to the discrimination faced by Japanese during WW2. Perhaps it would be different if the US government actually imposed sanctions related to ordinary Russians in the US, but they did not.

Don't take my word for it as a lawyer, you can easily do your own search to see that this ban is unique to US pro pool and not being followed by any other industry or pro sport.
 
Pool players that want to unionize are going to shoot their selves in the foot again and again.

At the current time, there is a lot of high paying tournaments, and the calcuttas are at record levels.

History will tell you that you can be cut off when you demand more added money, paid entry fees, etc.

Richie Florence and several other players in the 70's got together and told the Stardust they wanted $50,000 added monies.

At the time, the Stardust was adding $25,000 TWICE a year for their tournaments.

So, what happened ? Stardust cut out their tournaments then and there.

Growing the pool tournaments popularity and prize money involves a lot of different things. Dress codes, sponsorship and more.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot again. Grow slowly, look and act professional. Use shot clocks, great commentators and

make it watchable to the general public. Learn from England's snooker tournaments, if possible. My .02 cents worth.
Matchroom is in the process of revolutionizing the structure-and pay- of professional 9 ball. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
 
The IOC made the call because Russian Olympic athletes are sponsored by the state and create revenue for the state, hence the sanction. Tennis may soon join the ranks as there is speculation Russian national tennis players may not be able to compete at Wimbledon.

True enough. But Fedor is not an Olympic athlete and the WPA is applying the IOC ban outside the.Olympics.
 
Does the WPA not have the latitude to adopt the same sanctions?

I suppose the WPA can do what It wants, it's just a PO box in Switzerland or somewhere. The legal problem is when someone has to enforce the ban in the US in a pool tournament that's open to the public.
 
I suppose the WPA can do what It wants, it's just a PO box in Switzerland or somewhere.
I suppose it may have something to do with pool being a World Games event and the IOC having a hand in the World Games.
The legal problem is when someone has to enforce the ban in the US in a pool tournament that's open to the public.
I don't believe all WPA events are open to the public. How many of the WPA events are open? Perhaps Stu knows.
 
I suppose it may have something to do with pool being a World Games event and the IOC having a hand in the World Games.

I don't believe all WPA events are open to the public. How many of the WPA events are open? Perhaps Stu knows.

I don't think there is any nefarious intent by anyone here. I think the WPA and BCA did what was easy and didn't think things through. They don't have the resources of bigger sports organizations. And certainly Predator and Cuetec want everyone to play.

These civil rights laws apply broadly to all "public accomodations", which a for-profit pool tournament at an exhibition hall with public attendance and widespread (international) pro participation would meet. Years ago there were lawsuits about "whites only" pro sports leagues who tried to avoid these laws by imposing artificial limits on participation and public access. Not surprisingly these defenses failed.

These are all good questions about an area of law with historical importance.
 
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