check this out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUs5PlM1inU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUs5PlM1inU
Players fight back...
- Thread starter tigerseye
- Start date
Veeeeeeery interesting. I'm curious to see how this develops.
And yes, it was SUPER quiet. I had to turn the volume almost all the way up.
And yes, it was SUPER quiet. I had to turn the volume almost all the way up.
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BUMP :thumbup:
Very nice find and some rep points heading your way.
It's about time that the Pool industry started looking outside the box, to the direction of other sports and see what can be done to improve the sport overall, not so much for the industry, but for the players.
In my eyes, the billiard industry is always going to look after itself to a large degree or another and so, perhaps it's about time that the players all started getting their heads together and form an association of our own, to make the sport better and a bit more fairer for everyone who wishes to compete in tournaments.
If the ABP can get a website set up where they have an online sign up feature that allows players to sign up to show their support, etc, then that would be all the better, because the more players that can get behind a players association, the better it could work out for us all
Willie
Very nice find and some rep points heading your way.
It's about time that the Pool industry started looking outside the box, to the direction of other sports and see what can be done to improve the sport overall, not so much for the industry, but for the players.
In my eyes, the billiard industry is always going to look after itself to a large degree or another and so, perhaps it's about time that the players all started getting their heads together and form an association of our own, to make the sport better and a bit more fairer for everyone who wishes to compete in tournaments.
If the ABP can get a website set up where they have an online sign up feature that allows players to sign up to show their support, etc, then that would be all the better, because the more players that can get behind a players association, the better it could work out for us all
Willie
adjust the volume on the youtube's volume control and it'll be easier to hear.
i might have redone it until i could do it without messing up the script but i think he got the point across
i might have redone it until i could do it without messing up the script but i think he got the point across
I had to plug in my earplugs for this also...
I will bet $100 to $10 that within the next 12 months an ABP player will play in a major event that does not have the money guaranteed in full 100% in escrow before the event starts.
I predict that they will not stand up to the promoters.
This starts with the US Open 9 Ball tournament. Let's see if Barry Behrman will put up the money in advance and guarantee that every one will get paid.
Let's see if they can make the WPA put the money in escrow?
Good luck to the APB. I don't have much faith that this will go anywhere based on the track record. But HOPEFULLY they are willing to put in the work AND stick to their priniciples.
I predict that they will not stand up to the promoters.
This starts with the US Open 9 Ball tournament. Let's see if Barry Behrman will put up the money in advance and guarantee that every one will get paid.
Let's see if they can make the WPA put the money in escrow?
Good luck to the APB. I don't have much faith that this will go anywhere based on the track record. But HOPEFULLY they are willing to put in the work AND stick to their priniciples.
I think its great the players finally got something started. It was obvious in this video that they had just formed their player's association, and didn't even talk about many of the details. I hope they meet and work out their goals, association laws, mission statements, etc. Then have another press conference or release with the updated information.
I also know this will not be perfect, and hope the association can continuously improve its operation, year over year.
The important thing is this is a start, and has been needed for a long time. If the players stick with it, it could be a great thing.
I also know this will not be perfect, and hope the association can continuously improve its operation, year over year.
The important thing is this is a start, and has been needed for a long time. If the players stick with it, it could be a great thing.
I also wonder about the US Open like JB does. For years, Barry has taken a LONG time to pay off the winner. Is this group of 12 world beaters and however many new members they recruit by October going to not play in the US Open if Barry does not have the full money in advance?
I do think its short notice, if they put the US Open under this same qualification. You can't tell a promoter 4 months before his event that he needs all the money up front, when he is used to paying the winner the 40k 1 year after the event. I think they have to stay flexible in the first year, but let everyone know, so in the second year, the promoters are ready.
I do think its short notice, if they put the US Open under this same qualification. You can't tell a promoter 4 months before his event that he needs all the money up front, when he is used to paying the winner the 40k 1 year after the event. I think they have to stay flexible in the first year, but let everyone know, so in the second year, the promoters are ready.
It's definitely a step in the right direction. But I wish this important first announcement had been done better.
Between the fumbles and the fact that the other guys are just sitting there quietly fidgeting... it doesn't come off like a group of professionals making a formal announcement about forming a union.
Johnny's decent as a speaker, so it didn't work out badly. I just think the guys behind the camera coulda helped them out with a little editing and some prompting towards the statues at johnny's shoulders. Throw them a few scripted questions they can answer. Put in some lighting. Have the interviewers introduce themselves properly. Maybe remind johnny how Thorsten is pronounced. Have them standing. Then put this thing as an official PR release across several pool sites and magazines all at once rather... than this dimly lit unedited youtube thing, which gives it a very off-the-cuff and unofficial feel. Somehow it doesn't scream "confidence" and I can't feel like this is an organization that will be around for the next 100 years.
The goal is project a united front, but it comes off like one guy with a pad of paper and a video camera and some reluctant followers. I wish them the best in any case, it's overdue.
Between the fumbles and the fact that the other guys are just sitting there quietly fidgeting... it doesn't come off like a group of professionals making a formal announcement about forming a union.
Johnny's decent as a speaker, so it didn't work out badly. I just think the guys behind the camera coulda helped them out with a little editing and some prompting towards the statues at johnny's shoulders. Throw them a few scripted questions they can answer. Put in some lighting. Have the interviewers introduce themselves properly. Maybe remind johnny how Thorsten is pronounced. Have them standing. Then put this thing as an official PR release across several pool sites and magazines all at once rather... than this dimly lit unedited youtube thing, which gives it a very off-the-cuff and unofficial feel. Somehow it doesn't scream "confidence" and I can't feel like this is an organization that will be around for the next 100 years.
The goal is project a united front, but it comes off like one guy with a pad of paper and a video camera and some reluctant followers. I wish them the best in any case, it's overdue.
I think that they shouldn't be flexible at all. It's up to Barry to figure out how to get all the prize money situated.
I just finished watching this video and a couple things stand out.
1. they have no money.
2. they want to take over the ranking list and be the official go to people for the rankings and the associated invitations to events like the (non-existent) World Championships and the Mosconi Cup. The idea seems to be that if they control the ranking list and have the power to decide what events to award points for that this will serve as enough to control the players.
My question is how they figure that the promoters and the WPA are going to pay attention to their rankings?
Barry Hearn can invite whomever he wants for any event he puts on. He does not have to use anyone's list.
The World Championships have 18 spots available for (or something like that) for North America. They could care less who fills those spots. So if the new association really does get the right to set the ranking list for North America that the WPA agrees to adhere to then that will be something but for the past several years North America hasn't even been able to fill their spots anyway.
3. Rodney said that there will only be 12 players who vote on the group's policies. So does this mean that if they have 100 players only 12 of them get to decide what happens to all of them?
Does anyone want to bet that Barry Hearn won't be depositing any money into a separate account controlled by the players prior to staging an event?
How about the WPA?
The players are counting on controlling the ranking list as their cornerstone and the ranking list really only has validity as far as invitations to WPA and Matchroom events are concerned.
So is the WPA going to play ball and deposit money into a player controlled account prior to the event going off?
I predict that this will NEVER happen.
In other words the players have no leverage. None at all. They want to control the ranking list which only has interest to a few players, all of whom are in the body of 12 players. A ranking list which really doesn't mean anything because the people who use it to determine who to invite to invitational events can decide at any time to use other means to extend the invites.
The only way I see for this group to truly become strong is to stage their own events so that they have some leverage.
I think that these guys should form a business plan and get out there and raise money through their efforts to put back into the group. They should be doing lessons, exhibitions, clinics, biting rich people for donations, biting poor people for donations, getting sponsors on board with money. Getting TV on board.
Right now, saying to Barry Behrman or Barry Hearn that they have to put the money in escrow before hand or 12 players won't show up is going to be met with major disappointment.
I really really really really HOPE I AM WRONG!
I agree. Let's be clear here. This is nothing more than a union.
Pool players are in a sense, the most delusional of all pros out there. Those with the $$$$$$$$ call the shots. Period. End of story. This has been the reality in business and industry and sports for all of human history.
They also misrepresent the power and authority of players in other sports. In all other sports, the sponsors and industry are the boss. The ownership rules above all. Players associations lose way more than they win when going up against ownership or those who pay/promote.
Pro pool players will continue to exist in a "battered wife" state of being. Taking the abuse, and still staying home with hubby. Stay at home with a husband that beats them or live on the street.
There's no big money in pool. The players have no leverage in this situation. They don't bring anything to the table. "whatcha got?" is the question. And all they got is the theoretical threat of boycotting events.
That is based on the assumption that without them, the event will fail. Did they ever think about all the events and tours that failed WITH THEM?
It comes down to a simple saying - beggars can't be choosers. It's not the players fault. It's not the promoters. Pool just isn't big enough to break free from this sleazy condition it finds itself in. You can't stir the pot and bust balls when those that pay out aren't making money themselves.
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I think they better hire a P.R. person for their future press conferences...
What are Rodney and Steve doing? They don't say anything practically....
What are Rodney and Steve doing? They don't say anything practically....
I agree with you and Creedo. Unfortunatley, I think pool already has an unprofessional stigma and this didn't help out a whole lot. Like my first post, I couldn't even hear it without getting the headphones out. I hope to hell it works and best of luck, but if the efforts are as good as this video I'm not going to hold my breath.
I really do get sick of reading this forum at times. I'm sorry, but the number of "glass is half empty" people here is truly mind blowing.
The ones with the money never care about who is responsible for bringing in the money. That is why players associations/unions get created.
This is a start, if the players stick together it will succeed, AND the sport will get better. You have to look at the big picture and commit to it.
I for one say it's about time and hope all the best to Johnny and the gang. I'm willing support the players and not watch or attend any events who will not comply.
I also hope cue makers and other vendors will join in and help the players out.
Craig
The ones with the money never care about who is responsible for bringing in the money. That is why players associations/unions get created.
This is a start, if the players stick together it will succeed, AND the sport will get better. You have to look at the big picture and commit to it.
I for one say it's about time and hope all the best to Johnny and the gang. I'm willing support the players and not watch or attend any events who will not comply.
I also hope cue makers and other vendors will join in and help the players out.
Craig
