WPA Press Release - Player Restriction Clarification

[azhousepro]

In response to a recent statement made by WPA President Mr. Ishaun Singh during a podcast, the World Pool Association (WPA) seeks to provide additional context and clarity. Our primary goal is to prevent any potential confusion that may arise from post-interview comments or out of context social media posts.

Go to post

 

[The_JV]

In response to a recent statement made by WPA President Mr. Ishaun Singh during a podcast, the World Pool Association (WPA) seeks to provide additional context and clarity. Our primary goal is to prevent any potential confusion that may arise from post-interview comments or out of context social media posts.

Go to post

In apparently rebuttal. I received by this in my inbox. Sent by MatchRoom:

 

[Bob Jewett]

In apparently rebuttal. I received by this in my inbox. Sent by MatchRoom:

Here it is as text. All of the typos are mine. This seems to be the only text version online.

nineball.
Matchroom Multi Sport Limited …
info@matchroom.com
1 September 2023

Dear Players,

Whilst we are disappointed that we find ourselves compelled to write this letter today, we are certainly not surprised. The success of the World Nineball Tour and the establishment of the World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation were driven by a single purpose: to create Life-changing opportunities for each and every one of you. However, the recent actions of the World Pool Association, which amount to nothing short of bullying tactics, has forced us to express our deep disappointment.

It is indeed a sad day for our sport when the very organisation entrusted with developing and championing opportunities for you is very clearly doing the opposite. The actions taken by the WPA and certain affiliated amateur members, both historically and in the publicly proposed course of action for the future as expressed by the WPA president, Ishaun Singh, on the 'Doggin It' podcast, have made it abundantly clear that your best interests are not their top priority or even a priority at all.

You should not face sanctions for participating in ANY event and certainly those that (i) are not affiliated with the WPA or a local federation and (ii) are part of a completely independent professional tour. Indeed, no player was or has subsequently been suspended for playing in the European Open Pool Championship or the US Open Pool Championship. Therefore, the public threat by the WPA regarding our future events, and the ACBS in respect of the upcoming Asian Open Pool Championship, further demonstrates the extraordinary intentions and careless decisions from those parties who should promote and grow the sport but are evidently doing the exact opposite.

However, this letter is not about rehashing the issues and challenges you are all aware of. Instead, it is about reaffirming our unwavering support for you, the heart and soul of our sport. You are the reason we are dedicated to what we do. The WNT would not exist without your remarkable talent and dedication, and we reiterate to you that the WNT is open to everyone. You are always welcome at our events and you remain free to play in any event you choose to enter.

We will continue to expand the WNT taking on new events in new territories and progressively increasing prize money for you each year. We will persist in doing whatever it takes to elevate this sport and, in turn, elevate you, and you need only look at our reputation for this across our other sports. We want you to be part of this incredible journey with us, and no one can hinder your participation if that is your choice.

That said, we invite you to join us at our next event in the incredible Hanoi City for the Asian Open Pool Championship, and event with 40 nationalities represented, global broadcast coverage and the seal of approval from the Department of Culture and Sport for Hanoi City. We urge you to not let small-minded organisations deprive you of life changing opportunities that we are working tirelessly to provide. We have the team, the production, the broadcast, the necessary funding and most importantly, the desire to take this Tour to the next level. We just need you to make it happen.

My best,
/ss/
Emily Frazer

Managing Director -- Multi Sport

 

[Texdance]

Here it is as text. All of the typos are mine. This seems to be the only text version online.

nineball.
Matchroom Multi Sport Limited …
info@matchroom.com
1 September 2023

Dear Players,

Whilst we are disappointed that we find ourselves compelled to write this letter today, we are certainly not surprised. The success of the World Nineball Tour and the establishment of the World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation were driven by a single purpose: to create Life-changing opportunities for each and every one of you. However, the recent actions of the World Pool Association, which amount to nothing short of bullying tactics, has forced us to express our deep disappointment.

It is indeed a sad day for our sport when the very organisation entrusted with developing and championing opportunities for you is very clearly doing the opposite. The actions taken by the WPA and certain affiliated amateur members, both historically and in the publicly proposed course of action for the future as expressed by the WPA president, Ishaun Singh, on the 'Doggin It' podcast, have made it abundantly clear that your best interests are not their top priority or even a priority at all.

You should not face sanctions for participating in ANY event and certainly those that (i) are not affiliated with the WPA or a local federation and (ii) are part of a completely independent professional tour. Indeed, no player was or has subsequently been suspended for playing in the European Open Pool Championship or the US Open Pool Championship. Therefore, the public threat by the WPA regarding our future events, and the ACBS in respect of the upcoming Asian Open Pool Championship, further demonstrates the extraordinary intentions and careless decisions from those parties who should promote and grow the sport but are evidently doing the exact opposite.

However, this letter is not about rehashing the issues and challenges you are all aware of. Instead, it is about reaffirming our unwavering support for you, the heart and soul of our sport. You are the reason we are dedicated to what we do. The WNT would not exist without your remarkable talent and dedication, and we reiterate to you that the WNT is open to everyone. You are always welcome at our events and you remain free to play in any event you choose to enter.

We will continue to expand the WNT taking on new events in new territories and progressively increasing prize money for you each year. We will persist in doing whatever it takes to elevate this sport and, in turn, elevate you, and you need only look at our reputation for this across our other sports. We want you to be part of this incredible journey with us, and no one can hinder your participation if that is your choice.

That said, we invite you to join us at our next event in the incredible Hanoi City for the Asian Open Pool Championship, and event with 40 nationalities represented, global broadcast coverage and the seal of approval from the Department of Culture and Sport for Hanoi City. We urge you to not let small-minded organisations deprive you of life changing opportunities that we are working tirelessly to provide. We have the team, the production, the broadcast, the necessary funding and most importantly, the desire to take this Tour to the next level. We just need you to make it happen.

My best,
/ss/
Emily Frazer

Managing Director -- Multi Sport

 

[Texdance]

The use of words like "Player Restrictions" make it clear the WPA wants to restrict player participation somewhere, somehow, no doubt to protect what they see as "their turf." This can only lead to restriction of opportunity for some players, somewhere, at some time and for reasons known only to the WPA.

The simple fact is that pool is a backwater sport in the US. There is a fairly recent history of great tournaments that attract top tier players. At the 'club' level there are somewhat cumberson league rules meant to alow some equity between players of widely varying skill levels. But pool in the US is not a sport that one can use as a primary source of income for any but the top eight on the money leaderboard. Below the top ten I suspect it costs some great players to participate at all.

When a decent job in the US starting pay is about $50k, with benefits, the comparison with pool shows the shabby treatment players can expect. To win even modest money at a tournament, first there are entry fees, then cost of transportation, then the stiff accomodation cost for the tourny duration. Mika's second place payout of $6500 at Turning Stone could easily just be a break-even point after deducting his out-of-pocket expenses to participate. Mika and a few others may receive good money from sponsors, but that is highly variable, and nothing like the security of a 2-5 year guaranteed income contract.

Only a grand expansion of opportunity within the top tier of the world's best pool players will ever bring pool into a truly professional sport where players can count on their skill being able to support a family during and beyond their prime years. As for the club levels, that will always be a cost to players because the leagues are structured so that a few 'league owners' try to make a profit, and the player fees continue to support that model. I don't know if club level play could possibly ever become more than a player-supported operation.

If the WPA wants to restrict pool opportunities at the true pro level then they do not have my support.