W.P.B.A.news....

[sjm]

Hi all -

Just wanted to clarify 1 thing. The WPBA does not now, nor has it ever, paid ESPN to put our shows on the air. We do pay production costs to a production company, but we do not pay a penny to ESPN. That story has been around so long it's almost an urban pool legend, but it is completely 100% untrue. (and we're doing a little better than treading water )

Melissa

Stated accurately and clearly by a highly capable, highly respected, and very dedicated servant of the WPBA organization. Thanks, Melissa.

Actually, this is a subject that superb tournament director Steve Tipton often talks about with the crowd in filler time before a TV match. He properly stresses that the cue raffles help to finance production costs, all of which are absorbed by the WPBA organization, and I can vouch that he is successful in selling a few more raffle tickets because he shares this information with fans in attendance.

 

[poolsnark]

Even if the WPBA is doing nothing but breaking even in terms of costs I still cannot agree with your original statement that the TV coverage should be cancelled in favor of longer, non-televised tournaments (Which BTW would increase their tournament operational expenses.) There are benefits to the WPBA and it's members from their regular television appearances beyond direct financial returns.

Umm... when exactly did I say that TV coverage should be canceled? Reading an entire post is always a better idea than simply looking for key phrases and McCaining them. If you actually took the time to read my post, you would have seen that I said:

I love the WPBA and the fact that they are the only visible pro tour in pool (in the US anyway), but when you consider the cost to produce, the cost to get it on ESPN, the cost to pay out the prizes, profitability is not exactly a safe assumption."

Anyone who knows me or my posts is very aware of my affinity for the WPBA and what they do for pool. The contents of my post were focused on your ludicrous assumption that if you're on TV, you must be profitable.

 

[AuntyDan]

Umm... when exactly did I say that TV coverage should be canceled?

My apologies, it was JohnnyT who said that earlier in the thread and I got the responses mixed up.

The contents of my post were focused on your ludicrous assumption that if you're on TV, you must be profitable.

If you see Ms. Herndon's post you will see that my assumption was correct for the WPBA.

I would agree with you about not automatically making the same assumption about most televised Pool from organizations like the BCA, WPA or IPT, becuase none of them have proved themselves as reliable and consistent at the WPBA.

 

[PETARD]

socialism at its finest

While I agree with both of you that the current format may not be the best, I'm encouraged by the fact that Allison and Karen are no longer dominating every tournament. It's so nice to be able to watch different players in the TV matches! I can't say for sure if that's due to the format changes, or if the players are just stepping it up another notch. Either way, it's a great change of pace.

Congrats to Sarah for a great showing at this event!

Echo the congrats to Sarah; how anyone applauds changing the rules to encourage players the opportunty to lose vs getting beat escapes me. Maybe major league baseball should only play 1 game that everyone forfeits and my Cubs win. Maybe Tiger should have to play 19 holes so he doesn't win all the time.

 

[Pjadedd]

I don't necessarily understand all the uproar about the format. Yes, it sucks if you win your first few matches and go out in the round of 16, but as for players getting on TV with a loss, this format actually gives players with 0 losses a better chance of making the TV rounds. Under the old format, you were guaranteed that 3 of the 4 players on TV had one loss.


PJ