First - kill all lawyers.
Oops, that's someone else's idea, and my wife the Esquire would not be too pleased with that thought. And actually I have met some really great attorneys.
Seriously, I would make an announcement to the pool world that the UPA will undergo a major reorganization with new ideas to help the men and promote pool to the general public.
Then I would tear up all the player contracts and open up the UPA to all pros. Of course how to classify who should be considered a pro would have to be determined by the membership.
Eventually, some sort of qualifying process would have to be established.
Then I would hold a general meeting of the membership where the members would voice ideas on how to improve the organization and what they would like to see happen.
I would then approach various room owners and try to mend fences and rebuild the bridges and see how many rooms would sponsor a UPA tour. My main advantage that I would offer to room owners would be that I could produce 10 to 20 of the top named players at their room. And I would show that these top players have already paid ther entry fee 30 days in advance of the tournament This would allow the room owner to post who would be there on the day of the tournament and advertise theevent. If a player failed to show up, for any reason, the fee would be forfeited, and given to the owner. In return, the players who did ante up the pre-paid fee would be seeded in the tournament according to their ranking by the UPA.
Aim for 6 stops the first year.
At every UPA event I would set up an autograph table where players would sit (be required to do that) and sign autographs and smooze with the fans. They would also sell items, like signed cueballs, gloves, shirts, etc. The profit divided between UPA and player(s).
I would set up a photo station where fans could have their picture taken with the player of their choice. Again, profit divided between player(s) and UPA.
If manufacturers set up at the tournament they would pay a fee to the UPA for their space plus a percentage of their sales would go to the UPA. Maybe 5% to 10% to start.
I am sure that once the tour got underway and people realized where all the top players were playing there would be no need to approach other promoters they would be calling me.
I would develop a new mindset among the players. That it is better to join forces for one common goal. That the only way they can succeed in pool is to have fan support. And that everytime they play in a UPA event they will be getting a portion of the gate receipts and sales of articles sold.
The membership would decide if players could play in other tournaments that might conflict with a UPA tournament. Players who do play inother tournaments might be required to give a percentage of their winnings to the UPA. Or they may lose their seeding in the next tournament. Or be suspended from a tournament. But that might be counterproductive because I would rather have the pro at a tournament rather than spank him.
I, or my helpers, would be in constant contact with the local newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, prior to and after every tournament. I would make sure that they received articles about the upcoming event and follow up with the results of the event. Over the years I have found that reporters, broadcasters, like it when you do their work for them. It amazes me now that the TD's don't do this. Maybe they just don't realize how easy it is to get printed in the paper, or to be heard on the radio. You actually can do it all from home at your computer. Or pick up the phone and call the radio station.
I have found that we have hundreds of players near where I live and about 90% have never heard of the UPA nor could they name any of the members. All they can relate to is that tall girl (Karen- who actually is short) and the one in black (Lee) or Allison.
Why is that? Because pool players do not promote themselves. I suppose that stems from the old days when they didn't want to be recognized so they could sneak in to a poolroom and get the 7 when in reality they should be giving the 6 out.
Jake
Oops, that's someone else's idea, and my wife the Esquire would not be too pleased with that thought. And actually I have met some really great attorneys.
Seriously, I would make an announcement to the pool world that the UPA will undergo a major reorganization with new ideas to help the men and promote pool to the general public.
Then I would tear up all the player contracts and open up the UPA to all pros. Of course how to classify who should be considered a pro would have to be determined by the membership.
Eventually, some sort of qualifying process would have to be established.
Then I would hold a general meeting of the membership where the members would voice ideas on how to improve the organization and what they would like to see happen.
I would then approach various room owners and try to mend fences and rebuild the bridges and see how many rooms would sponsor a UPA tour. My main advantage that I would offer to room owners would be that I could produce 10 to 20 of the top named players at their room. And I would show that these top players have already paid ther entry fee 30 days in advance of the tournament This would allow the room owner to post who would be there on the day of the tournament and advertise theevent. If a player failed to show up, for any reason, the fee would be forfeited, and given to the owner. In return, the players who did ante up the pre-paid fee would be seeded in the tournament according to their ranking by the UPA.
Aim for 6 stops the first year.
At every UPA event I would set up an autograph table where players would sit (be required to do that) and sign autographs and smooze with the fans. They would also sell items, like signed cueballs, gloves, shirts, etc. The profit divided between UPA and player(s).
I would set up a photo station where fans could have their picture taken with the player of their choice. Again, profit divided between player(s) and UPA.
If manufacturers set up at the tournament they would pay a fee to the UPA for their space plus a percentage of their sales would go to the UPA. Maybe 5% to 10% to start.
I am sure that once the tour got underway and people realized where all the top players were playing there would be no need to approach other promoters they would be calling me.
I would develop a new mindset among the players. That it is better to join forces for one common goal. That the only way they can succeed in pool is to have fan support. And that everytime they play in a UPA event they will be getting a portion of the gate receipts and sales of articles sold.
The membership would decide if players could play in other tournaments that might conflict with a UPA tournament. Players who do play inother tournaments might be required to give a percentage of their winnings to the UPA. Or they may lose their seeding in the next tournament. Or be suspended from a tournament. But that might be counterproductive because I would rather have the pro at a tournament rather than spank him.
I, or my helpers, would be in constant contact with the local newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, prior to and after every tournament. I would make sure that they received articles about the upcoming event and follow up with the results of the event. Over the years I have found that reporters, broadcasters, like it when you do their work for them. It amazes me now that the TD's don't do this. Maybe they just don't realize how easy it is to get printed in the paper, or to be heard on the radio. You actually can do it all from home at your computer. Or pick up the phone and call the radio station.
I have found that we have hundreds of players near where I live and about 90% have never heard of the UPA nor could they name any of the members. All they can relate to is that tall girl (Karen- who actually is short) and the one in black (Lee) or Allison.
Why is that? Because pool players do not promote themselves. I suppose that stems from the old days when they didn't want to be recognized so they could sneak in to a poolroom and get the 7 when in reality they should be giving the 6 out.
Jake
