To the AZB staff regarding Bonus Ball

When is it wrong to stand up and to be heard! Lee is a victim of a man who has no morals and does not care about the people that work for him. He is a Canadian that brought in Canadian film people and Canadian Investors whom are still trying to sell the Canadian dream of pool! We need to say enough. He needs to be stopped from hurting American pool anymore! Enough damage has been done to our players! Say NO to Bonus Ball!!!
 
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TimKrazyMon said:
In light of the revelation that the BB crew is delinquent on their debt to AZB, I would like to propose that no press coverage or news relating to BB is posted on the AZB front page and that any and all threads in the forums that comment on BB be deleted until such time as BB makes good on said debt.

I'm sure the BB crew is enjoing all of this free publicity and to continue granting BB that publicity when they haven't paid for advertising as agreed is just lunacy.
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Agree 100%
 
Let me take a moment and speak on behalf of all Canadians, BB sure as hell isn't the vision for pool in Canada.

When I walked by the BB table at the US Open a few years back, I thought it was a joke then, and I think its a bigger joke now.

I can't believe someone has this kind of money to throw away and then chuck more trying to get something back.

Let me help the recoup train get started... $1500 for the table, you keep the balls!
 
I am of the opinion that Jerry would make a statement here if AZB has indeed been paid.

Having made the statement that they hadn't been paid, he would most certainly post an update were there any change.
 
AZB has not been paid. Never will be. But we do not compromise the integrity of the site over bad debts. As long as BB is a part of the pool scene we will continue to report on it. We prefer to not allow others to drag us down to their level. BB is done now. It will never show up on any but the smallest of networks, if any, and it will not be paid for that content. They may get to sell a few ads, but that revenue will not cover even a tiny piece of their nut.

AZB is ready to move on to the next chapter that pool presents and there is always another chapter. And we will always cast a doubtful eye on those who come along with a beautiful deceit. It is the duty of players to seek whatever opportunities are presented. It is the job of the press to examine those opportunities with a very critical eye.

We printed every press release sent to us by BB. We never did any articles that criticized them. (Though our readers criticized BB on the forums.) What we did do was tell our player friends that this thing was doomed as the business plan made no sense. They would tell us there was a new investor and we would keep reminding them that a business plan relies on more money coming in than going out, money generated by the project. We reminded them that getting another investor is not a business plan. For this we were labeled as 'haters' by many of the very people we were trying to protect. So be it.

But we are not haters of anyone. We are sometimes cruelly honest, but our motive is never vicious. It profits us not to just knock a project without cause. But Bonus Ball, whether one wishes to admit it or not, destroyed the US pro tournament scene. We are going from 9 major events this year to 3 next year. And when you speak to the promoters who are pulling out they all bring up BB. Not the schedule conflicts or any of the obvious things like that but the fact that the players told the promoters that they now had BB and did not need their tournaments anymore. "Don't need me? OK, fine, I can go away."

Pro players in America are desperate for something to come along to allow them to earn a living at the game. But they need to develop a logical approach to new ideas and not just jump at any dream that comes along. They have been burned repeatedly. And they need to learn that those who tell them the truth are not haters, they are just honest.
 
The only thing left for pro pool in the states IMO is for the players to get off their asses and get sponsors to run their own tour.Of course that goes against the grain of most pro players because they would have to do a little work. A good start would be to get rid of the ABP or vote new officers in to it and throw the ones in power now ( the good old boys group) out. Johnnyt
 
Jerry Forsyth said:
AZB has not been paid. Never will be. But we do not compromise the integrity of the site over bad debts. As long as BB is a part of the pool scene we will continue to report on it. We prefer to not allow others to drag us down to their level. BB is done now. It will never show up on any but the smallest of networks, if any, and it will not be paid for that content. They may get to sell a few ads, but that revenue will not cover even a tiny piece of their nut.

AZB is ready to move on to the next chapter that pool presents and there is always another chapter. And we will always cast a doubtful eye on those who come along with a beautiful deceit. It is the duty of players to seek whatever opportunities are presented. It is the job of the press to examine those opportunities with a very critical eye.

We printed every press release sent to us by BB. We never did any articles that criticized them. (Though our readers criticized BB on the forums.) What we did do was tell our player friends that this thing was doomed as the business plan made no sense. They would tell us there was a new investor and we would keep reminding them that a business plan relies on more money coming in than going out, money generated by the project. We reminded them that getting another investor is not a business plan. For this we were labeled as 'haters' by many of the very people we were trying to protect. So be it.

But we are not haters of anyone. We are sometimes cruelly honest, but our motive is never vicious. It profits us not to just knock a project without cause. But Bonus Ball, whether one wishes to admit it or not, destroyed the US pro tournament scene. We are going from 9 major events this year to 3 next year. And when you speak to the promoters who are pulling out they all bring up BB. Not the schedule conflicts or any of the obvious things like that but the fact that the players told the promoters that they now had BB and did not need their tournaments anymore. "Don't need me? OK, fine, I can go away."

Pro players in America are desperate for something to come along to allow them to earn a living at the game. But they need to develop a logical approach to new ideas and not just jump at any dream that comes along. They have been burned repeatedly. And they need to learn that those who tell them the truth are not haters, they are just honest.
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A song I have preached in the past, which when people did not listen caused me to exit the game.

6 years later on and coming out of retirement and back in to pool - no surprise to see on my part all my predictions coming true..
 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and info Jerry. Anyone that knows you or of you, knows you've been around the horn for some time, and your voice is one to absorb.

Well heeded and much appreciated.
 
Roger Long said:
I appreciate your concern, and your interest in seeing that fairness and honesty prevails in this matter. I will gladly try to answer your questions to the best that I am able at this particular time.

No, I have never been paid for any endorsement of Bonus Ball. Nor have I ever been paid for any articles I've written for AZB. I have merely been a contributing writer, and I write things that are my own opinions and viewpoints, and not meant to reflect the opinions of anyone on the staff of AZB. However, I do have several friends who play for the WPBL, so I'll admit that I have always been optimistically hopeful that Bonus Ball would succeed for their benefit.

I am a personal friend of Lee Brett, and I am sorry that he is unhappy with the treatment he got from the WPBL. But the evidence provided by both sides in these forums make it too difficult for me to draw a conclusion at this time on what really happened in that relationship. By Lee's own admission, he did get paid a certain amount in cash, and then was given ball sets to sell as payment for the rest. But a discrepancy obviously exists somewhere, otherwise, why would Lee lodge a complaint on these forums? However, it sounds to me like the matter is now in the hands of the proper authorities, so time will tell.

AZB just recently put up a new event page for Bonus Ball which seems to be very strong evidence that the WPBL has paid their advertising debt with AZB. And even if the debt hasn't been paid, AZB's continued support for Bonus Ball should tell us all that they know something we don't.

As for the new plans, I have personally witnessed two visits to Phoenix by Bonus Ball's primary investor, who came here to discuss those plans with another friend of mine. My friend has given me a few details of those plans, but other than that, I don't know much. And of the little I do know, I haven't been given permission to discuss publicly. I can only say that there is something going on.

And as for the girls in Vegas not getting paid; I don't know anything about that, and I don't think anyone else here does, either.

Also, I am one of those people who paid for the full season of streaming, and has not received a refund. I guess I could be holding a grudge over that, but for some reason, I am not. I suppose it's because I don't think the collapse was intentional and that somehow everything will work out for the best for everyone within time.

I still think Bonus Ball is a great game. The 3-man team format is great. The production quality is great. And the performances by the players were GREAT! Plus, I was given a warm welcome by Larry and his staff (including Lee) in Vegas, and was given a demonstration of how Bonus Ball is played, before anyone even realized who I was, or why I was there. It was all fun and exciting! I was sold on it. I guess I still am.

I don't know for sure if Bonus Ball will ever work out; but I'm still hoping.

Roger
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Jerry Forsyth has confirmed that the entity known as Bonus Ball has not paid for its advertising here on this site. I too share your hope that "somehow everything will work out for the best for everyone within time". At this point it seems Larry C's credibility leaves a lot to be desired. I am just a recreational player/fan who has no experience promoting pool events. Even for someone such as myself, one who can't even recall if my memory is going, its apparent that BB needs to make things right with the fans who bought season streaming packages. And do so promptly. Pay their bills to all vendors. The identity of the secret investors should be made public. The wait till you see our new marketing ideas theme is a joke. If Larry cares so deeply about the professional players he needs to step aside or at least step back and let someone else ride point on BB going forward. BB should be at least partially owned by the players along with the new investors with the deep pockets. If Archer believes so much in this endeavour, he and or one of his colleagues needs to come to forward with full disclosure on who is owed, how much and when/how payment will be made. Move BB HQ to Atlanta at Archers facility and cut that overhead in Sin City to the bone. Then and only then can the new & improved BB rise from the ashes and be all it can be. Let the fun and excitement begin!
 
kittykat said:
When is it wrong to stand up and to be heard! Lee is a victim of a man who has no morals and does not care about the people that work for him. He is a Canadian that brought in Canadian film people and Canadian Investors whom are still trying to sell the Canadian dream of pool! We need to say enough. He needs to be stopped from hurting American pool anymore! Enough damage has been done to our players! Say NO to Bonus Ball!!!
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I'm not so sure what this has to do with Canada.
Like Jason Robichaud, I have zero interest in Bonus Ball....
...and 99.9% of the players I know feel the same way.

And I agree that it has disrupted the American pool scene.....
...the biggest supporters are AMERICAN pool pros......

...Are they not accountable for their actions?

They weren't kidnapped....they didn't support some of the best tournaments
going...of their own volition.

It's like a remake of what the players did to Helfert years ago...
...sure, Mackey was the leader, but the players were his ammunition.
..their feet must be full of holes by now.
 
PINKLADY said:
you know - this is actually a VERY GOOD IDEA! wish it had been implemented earlier. he's only got wha - ?

36 tables
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I am far from the first to suggest Las Vegas might not have been the best place for BB to plant its flag. Others also suggested ATL as a good venue. The vaunted BB arena might have looked good on paper or been Larry's dream but it was a disaster, free popcorn not withstanding. Filming from the Scorpion room might have prevented the high $ and lengthly delays. Fans could make an event out of a visit and get a lesson from their
favorite pro or fav team. Buy some memorabilia maybe get a selfie along side two hall of famers like the Pearl and JA. Something like this should be more oriented around the players and the game rather than the smoke and mirrors and dog and pony show put on by Larry C and his crew.
 
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