Meezer Girl said:Even if the players do get paid "eventually" (not acceptable) I really do hope that this fiasco creates a huge "wake up call" to the players. They really do need some kind of organization where they can have a voice in making sure that tournaments are organized and run properly and also when they are run to eleviate scheduling conflicts for the larger events.
Obviously there are many other benefits that could be available but let's get started with the events first.
Fran
Fran, if the players aren't willing to protect themselves then who else will do it? After the IPT much anger was expressed by fans on behalf of the players. Nothing came of it. NOTHING.
The players wouldn't go against the IPT publicly because they still wanted and needed to get paid. The IPT strung them along for a year or so on that payment.
I just don't get it. Why is it so hard for the players worldwide, as a group, to agree to NOT play in events where the money is not 100% in escrow up front.
If tournaments were "sanctioned" this way where it was known by all that the prize fund was 100% secure then tournaments would end up with waiting lists to get in.
Beyond that the players could then demand and get spots based on the criteria that they, the players, deem important.
In this day and age of instant communication and universal access to the web there is NO EXCUSE for the world's top pool players to be fragmented and treated like serfs.
But NO ONE is going to help them for free. NO ONE. They are professionals who make money for playing a game. They should be willing to stand up and offer part of their income and time to create and run an organization that truly protects their interests. Such an organization would ultimately provide the world's professional pool players with a solid and steady stream of income that is only limited to each individual's ability to earn from it.
But if they continue to allow promoters and organizations to dictate what they can do, who can play and who can't, what rules will be used, and so on, then they deserve to be treated like second rate citizens.