So where is the Bonus Ball annoucement?

[justadub]

What happened to the 2 seasons of financing in the bank??

So players were owed up to $5k? If I do my math, that means they weren't being paid prior to the Ultimate 10 Ball and Southern Classic.

When all the scheduling threads were going strong, some smart person (oh wait, that was me) talked about how they could have taken a 2 week hiatus in order to review what has been going right or wrong to make improvements during that down time.

But that would cost them $13k per week for rent, right? But if they weren't playing players for playing during that time (and it looks like they weren't paying even though they were playing), it would have saved money, right?

So isn't this "several week" hiatus costing them the same $13k per week? And messing up the schedule, which will now cause scheduling issues over other tournaments later in the season?

All that being said, I do feel for the players. They were taking a risk to chase the success of BB. Many will say they were stupid to believe, but I admire anyone taking a risk in a new venture. Some work out, some don't.

I sure hope this doesn't harm any players too much. As others have mentioned, hopefully the CSI events will help some of them get some cash while it's all straightened out. I picture savers galore in any matchup consisting of 2 BB players in these events.

I had kind of forgotten that $13k per week to shut down figure....interesting how all that facility downtime is going affect this, huh?

 

[JAM]

What happened to the 2 seasons of financing in the bank??

So players were owed up to $5k? If I do my math, that means they weren't being paid prior to the Ultimate 10 Ball and Southern Classic.

When all the scheduling threads were going strong, some smart person (oh wait, that was me) talked about how they could have taken a 2 week hiatus in order to review what has been going right or wrong to make improvements during that down time.

But that would cost them $13k per week for rent, right? But if they weren't playing players for playing during that time (and it looks like they weren't paying even though they were playing), it would have saved money, right?

So isn't this "several week" hiatus costing them the same $13k per week? And messing up the schedule, which will now cause scheduling issues over other tournaments later in the season?

All that being said, I do feel for the players. They were taking a risk to chase the success of BB. Many will say they were stupid to believe, but I admire anyone taking a risk in a new venture. Some work out, some don't.

I sure hope this doesn't harm any players too much. As others have mentioned, hopefully the CSI events will help some of them get some cash while it's all straightened out. I picture savers galore in any matchup consisting of 2 BB players in these events.

Good ol' savers. :thumbup:

You know, what you just wrote is something I had not thought about. The entire time the BB minions were claiming that if they changed their schedule, it would cost them big bucks, it doesn't sound right now, as you brought up, after the fact.

In the end, I do feel saddened to think about the predicament these players got themselves in, but then again, they made their own bed, so they'll have to lay in it.

They need to get the heck out of Vegas after CSI tournaments conclude and run, not walk, from Bonus Ball.

I wonder how Lenny's foot is feeling since the latest press release.

 

[corvette1340]

Can someone provide cliff notes please.

Also, where do I go to sign up to invest in bonus ball?

 

[JAM]

Can someone provide cliff notes please.

Also, where do I go to sign up to invest in bonus ball?

Cliff notes.

Players are owed money for at least 2 weeks, maybe more. Some estimates are as high as 5 dimes per player according to an AzB-ers who has spoken directly to three unnamed BB players.

BB is taking a hiatus for "a few weeks" to reevaluate their financial situation. The crooked contractor in Vegas, BB says, hurt them and has resulted in this situation.

Players are asked to stand by and wait "a few weeks" to get paid.

Darren Appleton and two other BB players are asking the public to support BB.

Fast Lenny hurt his foot a few days before the announcement of the players not being paid and is MIA at the time of this writing.

There, you have it.

 

[Diamond69]

Good ol' savers. :thumbup:

You know, what you just wrote is something I had not thought about. The entire time the BB minions were claiming that if they changed their schedule, it would cost them big bucks, it doesn't sound right now, as you brought up, after the fact.

In the end, I do feel saddened to think about the predicament these players got themselves in, but then again, they made their own bed, so they'll have to lay in it.

They need to get the heck out of Vegas after CSI tournaments conclude and run, not walk, from Bonus Ball.

I wonder how Lenny's foot is feeling since the latest press release.

Yes, the players took the risk. And I admire that because it was a new venture and could have paid off well had BB worked. Just like in any new venture, it is very difficult to decide when you are throwing good money on top of bad. It is difficult to admit failure. Sure it is easier if you have expenses that you cannot pay and are therefore left with no choice. I just hope it doesn't damage any of the players too bad.

 

[Gerry Williams]

Go play with your dog and stop trolling on here.

We get it - you don't like Bonus Ball...it is getting old. It is real easy to poke holes in a new venture - but these folks are trying to do something, all you do is complain, whine and criticize their every move.

I mean is it really any of your business anyhow? Didn't think so.

Good ol' savers. :thumbup:

You know, what you just wrote is something I had not thought about. The entire time the BB minions were claiming that if they changed their schedule, it would cost them big bucks, it doesn't sound right now, as you brought up, after the fact.

In the end, I do feel saddened to think about the predicament these players got themselves in, but then again, they made their own bed, so they'll have to lay in it.

They need to get the heck out of Vegas after CSI tournaments conclude and run, not walk, from Bonus Ball.

I wonder how Lenny's foot is feeling since the latest press release.

 

[JAM]

Go play with your dog and stop trolling on here.

We get it - you don't like Bonus Ball...it is getting old. It is real easy to poke holes in a new venture - but these folks are trying to do something, all you do is complain, whine and criticize their every move.

I mean is it really any of your business anyhow? Didn't think so.

It's as much my business as yours, Pal. And I will write on this forum about any damn topic I feel like. You got that? You can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe you player with your own dog and leave me alone.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

The rough math

This post is 50% speculation, sprinkled with 50% of WTF. Poke holes in it - I'm just trying to wrap my head around how this "incredibly well funded venture" is in the crapper so early.


18 players each week x $1000: $18k/week

camera man, commentator, ball girl, mgmt: @ $6k/week?

rent, utilities, misc: @ $6k/week?

BB has 20 weeks to go. $30k (above total) x 20 = $600k

Add unpaid $$ to pros & employees: @ $100k?

Add the $300k playoff bonus (I'm not sure if reduced # of players get paid $1k/match in addition to the bonus, so I may be overloading compensation a bit)

TOTAL EST'D EXPENSES: @ $1,000,000 minus pay "overload" = @ $900,000

TOTAL EST'D REVENUE: Luxury's $169 PPV



So they put the brakes on this early? No way the construction delay burned almost a million bucks IMO. And if they still had $500k in the bank (or whatever) while seeing they were doomed down the road, wouldn't they have paid the players to better keep them on the hook?


I can't get the math to jive with the "this thing is so well funded" PR. Can anyone???

I hate how this is working out for so many people and hope something good will come...

 

[JAM]

Yes, the players took the risk. And I admire that because it was a new venture and could have paid off well had BB worked. Just like in any new venture, it is very difficult to decide when you are throwing good money on top of bad. It is difficult to admit failure. Sure it is easier if you have expenses that you cannot pay and are therefore left with no choice. I just hope it doesn't damage any of the players too bad.

I agree. The CSI will be a nice platform for them to land on, thank goodness. It couldn't have been better timing.

 

[Gerry Williams]

Say hi to the dog.

It's as much my business as yours, Pal. And I will write on this forum about any damn topic I feel like. You got that? You can take a hike as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe you player with your own dog and leave me alone.

 

[JAM]

Say hi to the dog.

So hi to your dog, and then you can shove it where the sun don't shine, Buster. :angry:

 

[sizl]

Holy Orange and Purple Pool Balls!

I guess this is what stuck out the most for me in that press release:

Well said!

The following statement is the one that was profound for me.........

"In the coming weeks, we look to improve our relationship with our fans as well as the billiards industry as a whole by responding to industry concerns such as this."

I will not rehash the past, but in the beginning MOST of the billiard community was behind Bonus Ball, and was hoping it would give the players the chance they deserve to flourish. (some of the AZ and billiard community still have their arms wide open)

As far as the relationship with the "industry" goes, Bonus Ball had the support of some of the heavy hitters in the game early on, and for whatever reason the "brass" at BB did not want or feel like they needed their support.

So is BB now saying that they feel like they NEED the support of AZ members, as well as the "industry leaders"?
(That would be one of the smartest decisions they have made to date!)

One would think with the amount of $$ on the line their would be a contingency plan in place....

Is BB hoping to increase their capital in the next few weeks, by HOPING to sell subscriptions to potential customers? ( I hope not)

The bottom line for me is, that I just want to see the players have a chance to be successful, nothing more, nothing less!

 

[TATE]

Cliff notes.

Players are owed money for at least 2 weeks, maybe more. Some estimates are as high as 5 dimes per player according to an AzB-ers who has spoken directly to three unnamed BB players.

BB is taking a hiatus for "a few weeks" to reevaluate their financial situation. The crooked contractor in Vegas, BB says, hurt them and has resulted in this situation.

Players are asked to stand by and wait "a few weeks" to get paid.

Darren Appleton and two other BB players are asking the public to support BB.

Fast Lenny hurt his foot a few days before the announcement of the players not being paid and is MIA at the time of this writing.



There, you have it.

What we have witnessed is the blossoming of a bad business concept.

If you build it, they don't come. You build it because they are there and you want to profit.

We have witnessed the pain and suffering that comes from a bad business concept that should have been left with a tip on the bar
table napkin.

(By the way, I truly think that they had a great group of pro players assembled. The pros are not what failed in this business).

 

[JAM]

...The bottom line for me is, that I just want to see the players have a chance to be successful, nothing more, nothing less!

Tap, tap, tap. I think that is what we all want for sure.

I wish Earl Strickland would come forward and share his thoughts. He always speaks the truth and doesn't sugar-coat anything.

 

[jimmyg]

This post is 50% speculation, sprinkled with 50% of WTF. Poke holes in it - I'm just trying to wrap my head around how this "incredibly well funded venture" is in the crapper so early.

24 players each week x $1000: $24k/week

camera man, commentator, ball girl, mgmt: @ $6k/week?

rent, utilities, misc: @ $6k/week?

BB has 20 weeks to go. $36k (above total) x 20 = $720k

Add unpaid $$ to pros & employees: @ $100k?

Add the $300k playoff bonus (I'm not sure if reduced # of players get paid $1k/match in addition to the bonus, so I may be overloading compensation a bit)

TOTAL EST'D EXPENSES: @ $1,120,000 minus pay "overload" = @ $1,000,000

TOTAL EST'D REVENUE: Luxury's $169 PPV


So they put the brakes on this early? No way the construction delay burned a million bucks IMO. And if they still had $500k in the bank (or whatever) while seeing they were doomed down the road, wouldn't they have paid the players to better keep them on the hook?

I can't get the math to jive with the "this thing is so well funded" PR. Can anyone???

I hate how this is working out for so many people and hope something good will come...

They study this exact business plan at Wharton....it's the one to avoid. The secret ingredient is arrogance. :smile:

The creator and the believers call it "visionary", everyone else calls it "delusionary".

J

 

[justadub]

So where was the ABP in all if this, as they were created to insure that players get paid? Can we expect a stream of press releases any time soon?

Seems like a large percentage of BB players are listed as being ABP members, even on the Board of Directors....and the President....

BB meaning Bonus Ball...not Barry Berhman. You'd think after all this time, those initials would mean something to that group.

 

[JAM]

So where was the ABP in all if this, as they were created to insure that players get paid? Can we expect a stream of press releases any time soon?

Seems like a large percentage of BB players are listed as being ABP members, even on the Board of Directors....and the President....

BB meaning Bonus Ball...not Barry Berhman. You'd think after all this time, those initials would mean something to that group.

Oh, my, what a coincidence!

 

[Apocalypse2017]

SVB is waking up right now sipping his coffee like a boss.

 

[TATE]

Can someone provide cliff notes please.

Also, where do I go to sign up to invest in bonus ball?

I'll PM you my paypal info.

regards,

Tanco

 

[Joe_Jaguar]

WPBL Statement

July 9, 2013




Beginning immediately the World Professional Billiard League will go on hiatus from the league’s current schedule. Over the next several weeks, the WPBL will begin a plan to correct mistakes made in the operation of the league by management.

As most fans know, the WPBL endured unforeseen hurdles during the launch of the league. As a consequence of the fraudulent practices by the original contractor on the WPBL Arena's construction, the allotted operating capital for the league’s inaugural season had to be used to finish the construction on the arena. As a result, the WPBL has found itself in a difficult financial predicament only six weeks into the season. Unfortunately, the business model was not executed according to the original plan and consequently did not allow for such a setback. The WPBL has now been forced to re-evaluate our business structure and restart with a cohesive strategy for success.

During the next few weeks, the WPBL staff will take time to redistribute responsibilities and reform our strategies. Two weeks ago the players were informed of the league’s current financial status and have shown an allegiance of support to the WPBL by continuing to play during this time. Furthermore, the players are standing by our decision to recess the league’s season temporarily in an effort to restructure.

Both the WPBL staff and players have overwhelmingly spoke out with words of encouragement regarding the league. Most notably, Scott Frost captain of the Phoenix Fire had this to say: “This league is the present and future of pro pool and I need the fans and the world to believe me when I tell you there’s no other game on earth we want to play. If you see the true passion of myself and all of the other players then you must believe we are behind this game and league 110% and look forward to the future as WPBL players!” Philadelphia Aces captain Darren Appleton added “I love the game, it’s the best game I have ever played. I believe in this game and I plead to the public to give it a chance, because it could be the best thing to happen to professional pool. This concept and game is where the future lies for billiards to become recognized globally and finally taken seriously.”

We at the WPBL acknowledge the mistakes made operating the league. In the coming weeks, we will make every effort to rectify these errors with the cooperation of the staff, players and fans. The WPBL has every intention to continue the 2013 season by executing a newly developed business plan that has the support of the WPBL pros.

During this time off, the WPBL will not only work to strengthen its internal structure, but help fans and skeptics understand how Bonus Ball is played. We recognize that some people are having a difficult time understanding various aspects of the game, including subtle rules, or how the scoring relates to the statistics and league standings. In the coming weeks, we look to improve our relationship with our fans as well as the billiards industry as a whole by responding to industry concerns such as this.
With the number of active billiards players declining throughout the globe, our goal at the WPBL has always to been to reinvigorate the sport whose rich history dates back to the 15th century, by adding proven contemporary sporting elements to the game. At present, although numbering in the millions, billiards fans would have a difficult time finding “pool” on traditional broadcast television. Our mission is to create an outstanding production of a cue sport that is exciting to watch, challenging to play and esthetically pleasing to the eye. We believe that by building the first dedicated billiards arena in the world, it is evident that we are committed to advancing the future of the sport through the creation of Bonus Ball as well as the World Professional Billiard League.

Finally, anyone who has bought WPBL PPV access will be contacted in the coming weeks regarding compensation for their purchase.

On behalf of all involved, we want to thank the fans and the billiard community as a whole, for their patience and understanding during this time. The WPBL staff and players will diligently work over the next few weeks to make improvements in all aspects of the corporation for the betterment of league, the players and the industry.


Continue to follow WPBL for additional updates:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpbltvcom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WPBLtv

So if the above is true, then we should expect to see one hell of a vendor booth and display next week at the Rio with a couple of tables going simultaneously with the pros playing this awesome game and shuttles running over to the Bonus Ball Arena showing the thousands of amateurs the "the first dedicated billiards arena in the world". Maybe not, that would take capital and business sense.