SVB signs with Cuetec

Cris has said the cue will be all Cuetec and unless or until she or Shane himself says something different I would take that as bible. Judging by past history of many sponsor/competitor relationships, the cue Shane plays with may or may not be tuned to his exact preferences. Many a sponsored competitor isn't playing with an off the shelf item.

One thing I very much respect is that Shane has been considering this deal for some time. He didn't jump into it rashly and I am quite sure that Cuetec didn't. Whatever he plays with, I'll bet it doesn't hurt his game although there might be a short transition period.

Hu

Shane is no dummy either. I read your point and not to argue, but I would bet he has hit with one already and has a pretty good idea of what the reansitio will be. Shane is a bright young man and dosn't want to misreresent himself of any company he amy endorse.

Hell, he cut cut a limb off a pine tree and play pretty good with it.

I'm curious that since he is now playing with a cuetec, when will Christina get hers?? I know her transition took a while when she went from heels to sneakers.
 
Wow...I am always amazed how skewed the stories get on this forum...one person makes an assumption and then everyone runs with it...so to set the record straight let me tell you a little background about what led to this decision for Shane.

Cuetec has pursued him for a long time now, well over a year. They have offered him deal after deal (other companies were interested as well but not with such formal offers) and he was never interested in entertaining ANY cue deals (not just with Cuetec) because he was happy with his cue. He would say that he didn't need to get a cue sponsor because he didn't want to change cues. He would say that it's not worth the extra money because he thinks it could cost him money in the end if he didn't play as well with it.

Then, several months ago, Cuetec told him they are now offering the R360 shaft and sent him a sample to try. Still reluctant to try ANY other cues, he started to consider trying the cue because it had a wood shaft but he still didn't shoot with it much.

Then one day Shane and I stopped by a local billiards and game room supply store that sponsors me. I was meeting with the staff there that helps me out a lot and Shane was left to play on the display tables by himself so he decided to grab one of the Cuetec cues and try it. He grabbed a VERY basic model JUST like this one:
Cuetec.gif


When I returned from talking with the staff there, Shane was still shooting and told me he was surprised at how well it shot. He said, "maybe I should talk to them more about their offer." I tried to grab a few of the cues from the other companies that were talking to him to and have him try them but, Shane is stubborn, when he gets it in his head that he likes something he has tunnel vision and isn't going to try anything else. So he said, "No, I like this one, it shoots straight." The staff at the billiard store offered to change out the tip for him and let him take that cue to play with more but Shane told him he already had models at home but just hadn't really tried them.

So that's when he began discussing this more seriously with Cuetec. His decision was actually based on trying the REGULAR basic model of their cues, not some mocked up model that they made specail for him. He also spoke with Allison a lot about her experience with the company and how she has liked their relationship and he heard nothing but positive feedback. She talked about how much exposure they give her, how flexible and accomidating they are and about what type of commitments he would have.

Since then, he has played around with their cues more, and again, the basic models not even the R360, and came to his decision based on how THOSE play.

As for what he will play with from here on out...they have sent him 3 different butts to try and 10 different shafts (they have many different STOCK models of shafts) that he will try out and decide from there. I believe the only thing he plans to change on it is the tip, he likes the trianlge tips. I have only had communication with him through online chats so from what he has told me, they don't have plans to create a "Special" cue that is different from what they will sell off the shelf, but I do know they plan to put his signature on some of the cues models that they will sell (I believe he got to pick which ones).

For those that know Shane, they should know he won't endorse anything he doesn't believe in. And the notion that he's doing this for financial security is completely false. Let's remember that Shane is cashing $130-$150/year the past couple of years (and that's not counting his gambling winnings) and he's one of VERY few players that is REALLY smart with his money. He's not just responsible with it but he's SMART with it. He doesn't just save his money and spend responsibly, he also has very good people managing his finances and investments and has made his money work for him. Shane is not in any way hurting financially so he could do with or without ANY sponsorship deals. Sure it doesn't hurt that he gets paid for it, but he would NEVER sign on to something for THREE years if he didn't 100% believe it was a good choice all around.

To know her is to love her!!!
 
Hu is right, I know first hand of a few(more than 2) Pro's who have cue deals where they modify the shaft(S) to their likeing, they dont use the default shaft thats on the market. The Pro has to play good with the cue or it would be bad for the deal, What if SVB switched to a Cue-Tec and never won another match, can you imagine the negitative impact that would have on sales??? So to insure that the pro plays as good as he/she can theyh do what they have to do to make the cue work. Thats not a secret-its common sence.

I was thinkiong about SVB last nite and this deal and I am very happy for him/Alison/Cue-tec, everybody will do good. Its nioce to see a pro get a contract, i would love to see more Pro's get sponseres and contracts. Its a tough market now for that to happen-which makes this all the more special. it might be wishful thinking but perhaps this is the beginning of a new trend.


great post Hu

Nice post Eric. I think that is the most positive thing about this whole deal. This could actually open doors for many other players and convince other companies that they have to invest a little in the game thmselves. Let's face it, not many do.

I feel it a very shrewd move by Cuetec. Shane has been a near perfect gentleman and winning almost everything. He is high profile and handles it very very well. What mother wouldn't be proud of this kId? Cutec will be too and they have to feel very good that he took a long look at the deal and didn't sign just to get his name on a check. This may open the door for many others and I surely hope they take a good look at Shane's attutude toward it.
 
Back when I managed the poolroom and wanted to hit balls I would always grab a Cuetec off the wall. We had over a hundred cues I could use but I thought the Cuetecs were really good playing cues and their consistency from cue to cue was unmatched by other brands. I would bet the new line with wood shafts play pretty good....
 
Congratulations for Shane. Nice to see him being rewarded for his excellence on and off the pool table.
 
Bval got offended by my comment and gave me red reps.
haha (not that i care)
but honestly congrats to shane and i hope he makes big money cause he deserves it!
I was/am not offended. I thought it was a stupid question that is none of your business - just as the rep said.

BVal
 
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