Predator 10 Ball - but only for some

[pro9dg]

Interesting story on AZ front page. Seems like 14 European players must sit out the Predator 10 Ball event in Manila this week.

This is because their federation (the EBBF) have decided that their getting a sanction fee from a minor tournament in Switzerland is more important than the players playing in an event that is being backed by one of the game's most generous and regular sponsors.

Predator were under the assumption that if an event was not shown on the WPA calendar and the date was available then they were in order to stage their high profile event in Manila. This was particularly relevant as most these players were in the Philippines for either the Matchroom World Cup of Pool or Dragon's Sweet Sixteen. They would then move on the relatively short distance to play in The WPA's China Open. Excellent planning between all those promoters.

Granted, the players are not obliged to travel to play in Switzerland. But they must sit on their hands in Manila and watch their fellow professional players from around the world while they are denied a chance to ply their trade on the table.

Some of these Euro players have earned their place by playing through the storm aborted Spanish event and I am sure that Predator will go some way to ensure that they do not lose out financially for what they have so far achieved.

It would be interesting to hear a reaction from the US players association on this or will it be "pull up the ladder Jack, I'm OK".

 

[billbOK]

This is because their federation (the EBBF) have decided that their getting a sanction fee from a minor tournament in Switzerland is more important than the players playing in an event that is being backed by one of the game's most generous and regular sponsors.

The Swiss event was planned long before the Predator one and is sanctionned by the EPBF and consequently by the WPA. In my opinion the mistake is on the side of Predator. They don't want their events to be sanctionned by the WPA... so be it, but they have to assume. Saddly the loser are always the players.

The Gstaad Swiss Open was initially a field of 256 players and 50'000 euros prize-money (eurotour have 40'000 euros). And finally there is only 80 players disputing 25'000 euros. It is certainly due to a lack of communication/marketing and the economical context. For example Eurotour stops are now basically played by 160 to 180 players and that was much about 230-250 some years ago.

Saddly the Gstaad Swiss Open, wich take place in a great venue in one of the most beautiful place of the Swiss Alps, will certainly not see a second edition... the private promoter will lose much, much money in this first one

 

[Ratta]

Agree 100 %

 

[pro9dg]

You agree - with what?

 

[billbOK]

That said, I think that it is a shame that the european players were like taken in hostage by the wpa and not allowed to play in the predator 10ball.

WPA has to promote the sports and it begins by supporting the players.

 

[JAM]

It would be interesting to hear a reaction from the US players association....

The US players association? :sad:

I did not know one existed.

It's a shame that pool politics continues to raise its ugly head around the world.

 

[Jerry Forsyth]

I know how much fun it is to bash the WPA, but the WPA had NOTHING to do with this one. Sanctioning by the EPBF does not relate to sanctioning by the WPA. They are separate issues entirely.

The big error here seems to be lack of promotion of the Gstaad event. I did not know it existed. Had they barraged us with press releases we would have printed them on the front page and everyone would have been aware. But if you choose to hold your event in the dark then the boogeyman can get you. (Press releases are free, all they require are the expense of effort.)

We see this error all the time on the part of promoters. They do not promote the event properly, and then they do not share the news of the event with the world. Most of them want to force you to their own website to see the news and then the websites are not updated properly or are hard to navigate. Can you imagine the PGA having a tournament and not allowing the brackets to be distributed to every news website in the world?

Why pool has never understood the wisdom of garnering the largest audience possible I will never fathom. And why the sponsors allow this is even a larger mystery. "Sure ,here is my money. Now go share the event with as few folks as possible". Only in pool does this make sense.

 

[JAM]

I don't think it's "fun to bash the WPA." I think the current state of affairs in pool is tragic.

The American representative body to the WPA is the BCA, from what I understand.

The BCA should be promoting professional pool in the United States and, I guess, North America as well. This does not seem to be happening.

I understand there are strong feelings on both sides of the fence here. Forums such as AzBilliards are a great vehicle to express thoughts, opinions, strategies -- at least I used to think so. AzBilliards doesn't censor people's opinions, even if they may go against the grain of the pool political machine.

Sadly, I also understand thoroughly what it's like to put your mind, body, and soul into an endeavor and have others disagree with the concept. It's hurtful and disappointing, and so is pool for the professional player in these United States.

 

[pro9dg]

I know how much fun it is to bash the WPA, but the WPA had NOTHING to do with this one. Sanctioning by the EPBF does not relate to sanctioning by the WPA. They are separate issues entirely.
.

This is not an anti WPA thread. Quite the opposite, in fact. The EPBF should have ensured that their sanctiond events should appear on the WPA calendar. The WPA calendar should be the definitive one and maybe (as the only journalist on the WPA board) this should be something that it would be within your remit Jerry). Again not a criticism just a suggestion.

The big error here seems to be lack of promotion of the Gstaad event. I did not know it existed. Had they barraged us with press releases we would have printed them on the front page and everyone would have been aware. But if you choose to hold your event in the dark then the boogeyman can get you. (Press releases are free, all they require are the expense of effort.)

We see this error all the time on the part of promoters. They do not promote the event properly, and then they do not share the news of the event with the world. Most of them want to force you to their own website to see the news and then the websites are not updated properly or are hard to navigate. Can you imagine the PGA having a tournament and not allowing the brackets to be distributed to every news website in the world?

Why pool has never understood the wisdom of garnering the largest audience possible I will never fathom. And why the sponsors allow this is even a larger mystery. "Sure ,here is my money. Now go share the event with as few folks as possible". Only in pool does this make sense.

Good points but this is yet another example of the advertised prize money being dropped again. What was 50000 Euros is now 25000 Euros.
Who will be the first to advertise a MILLION dollar first prize and then reduce it in stages up until their event takes place or is scrapped?

 

[billbOK]

Good points but this is yet another example of the advertised prize money being dropped again. What was 50000 Euros is now 25000 Euros.
Who will be the first to advertise a MILLION dollar first prize and then reduce it in stages up until their event takes place or is scrapped?

I am in no way affiliated with the organisator but I would like to make it clear.

Jerry is totally right when he said that there was lack in promoting the event. This was the BIG mistake and misjudgment by the part of the promoter. Also communication and reactivity were missing... It will cost the promoter (one guy only) some money...

Now about the prize-money part:

Initially the event was 256 players, 50'000 euros prize-money, with 150 euros entry fee. With a full field it makes 11'600 euros added money.

Only 80 players enter the tournament and the promoter decided LAST WEEK and WITHOUT good communication to break the prize money by a half. So it is now 25'000 euros... The first place keeping the same amount of money. Then he decided to also break the enter fee by a half to reach 75 euros only (to make it straight). Now, there is 80 players at 75 euros fees and 25'000 euros prize-money, that makes 19'000 euros added money.

Conclusion, the guy is assuming his mistakes...

From my point of view it is just sad that it happened that way. There were all the ingredients to have a really nice event...

 

[joelpope]

I know how much fun it is to bash the WPA, but the WPA had NOTHING to do with this one. Sanctioning by the EPBF does not relate to sanctioning by the WPA. They are separate issues entirely.

The big error here seems to be lack of promotion of the Gstaad event. I did not know it existed. Had they barraged us with press releases we would have printed them on the front page and everyone would have been aware. But if you choose to hold your event in the dark then the boogeyman can get you. (Press releases are free, all they require are the expense of effort.)

We see this error all the time on the part of promoters. They do not promote the event properly, and then they do not share the news of the event with the world. Most of them want to force you to their own website to see the news and then the websites are not updated properly or are hard to navigate. Can you imagine the PGA having a tournament and not allowing the brackets to be distributed to every news website in the world?

Why pool has never understood the wisdom of garnering the largest audience possible I will never fathom. And why the sponsors allow this is even a larger mystery. "Sure ,here is my money. Now go share the event with as few folks as possible". Only in pool does this make sense.

how does it make any sense to penalize the players when a promoter makes a mistake?

how does "you don't have to play here, but, you can't play there" make more sense than a player making their own decision on when and where to play?

this seems to me like a promoter centric process and not at all in the player's best interest.

 

[pro9dg]

how does it make any sense to penalize the players when a promoter makes a mistake?

how does "you don't have to play here, but, you can't play there" make more sense than a player making their own decision on when and where to play?

this seems to me like a promoter centric process and not at all in the player's best interest.

PROMOTERCENTRIC PROCESS
What a great term to describe so much of what is happening to the pool world