WPBA Caught Between IPT and a Hard Place

Curious about the subject, I did a little research of relevance.

I don't know if he wasd the first, but Vagabond mentioned the Sigel Jones match on June 13. It was still a rumor at that point, and I'd heard about it, too, from my sources, perhaps around May 31. The IPT press release, in which it proclaimed itself to be a huge money 8-ball tour, came on June 30. Timberly started a thread posting the entire text of that press release on July 3 on the main forum.

The purse money shook the pool world, as $225,000 for a one-match exhibition was without precedent. On the forum, in July, many of us wondered why Loree Jon had been chosen rather than a WPBA star such as #1 ranked Allison Fisher, and several claimed to have learned that Allison had been offered the spot first, but declined.

At least here on the forum, the IPT was pretty big news by the first week of July.
 
The truth is that both the WPBA and the UPA should have applied on behalf of ALL their members. Supposedly they are representative of their players. They should've come to an agreement with Kevin that their entire rosters were "IN". When the MOOLA comes out you see how quickly the ORGANIZATION splits.

Now, Jeanette knows that she screwed up on this one. Her agent knows he screwed up, George Breedlove, who probably would have been a no brainer, knows he screwed up, hence the qualifiers.

My personal opinon - Jeanette can do FAR more without the IPT. She would be harrassed in the IPT along the lines of look at how poorly the best known female player in the world is doing. It would be on film and shown endlessly. I like Jeanette, I always have. I like her game as well. She could be a contender in the IPT but not with grueling 10 hour sessions for five days with her back.

If the IPT succeeds then the resulting popularity boom will increase Jeanette's appearance gigs and fees anyway.

John
 
onepocketchump said:
The truth is that both the WPBA and the UPA should have applied on behalf of ALL their members. Supposedly they are representative of their players. They should've come to an agreement with Kevin that their entire rosters were "IN". When the MOOLA comes out you see how quickly the ORGANIZATION splits.....If the IPT succeeds then the resulting popularity boom will increase Jeanette's appearance gigs and fees anyway.John
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I further believe that the fact that the IPT roster includes the only two WPBA players that have held the #1 ranking over the last ten years will raise the profile of women's pool. I feel strongly that both Allison and Karen will be successful on the IPT.

Speaking for myself, I'm more likely to watch an LPGA event now that I've seen that Sorenstam and Wie can play at a level not that far below the top men. I think when men see how well Allison and Karen compete against the male pros, the image of women's pool will be raised.

There's a good chance that women's pro pool will be a winner no matter how it all turns out. We shall see.
 
Just my opinion ....

But, I don't think the women pros are all that enthusiastic to showcase their skills with the level of the men players in the IPt.

I don't think they would ever win a tournament, including Allison. Allison has never competed in tournament with such a high skill level over the course of the entire tournament before. I have doubts about their endurance at such a high level. And playing safeties in 8 ball is not the same as 9 ball. Plus, breaking is different, especially with no side breaks.

I think, all other organizations, when faced with getting pushed down the ladder or to cooperate, will, in fact, end up cooperating with the IPt.

To make my point, how many of you can name the UPA events scheduled for the next 6-9 months?
 
9 Ball Girl said:
Once again, for those of you that may not venture over to the BD site. This is the cover story from the March '06 issue--Jeanette Lee's "Let's Get Ready To Rumble":

http://www.billiardsdigest.com/current_issue/mar_06/
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She should never have given that interview or made those comments. It sounds like sour grapes, excuse making and playing the blame card. With the career she has and has had it would not be good to cap it off playing with players that could actually embarrass her. She could go on making a nice living for many years why jeopardize it for a quick payday and maybe looking like a joke. She may not think so now, but it could be for the best. Until she opened her mouth you felt sorry for her but not now, she showed very little grace in the interview I felt.
 
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Snapshot9 said:
To make my point, how many of you can name the UPA events scheduled for the next 6-9 months?
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Just off the top pf my head... Valley Forge, the championship in Vegas, the BCA in Vegas and the US Open. I haven't checked the schedule yet.

As for the IPT... I have no idea when any of the events are. They're all in Vegas & Reno with the exception of one in the Chicago area. Due to travel exspenses and the time change which becomes a huge factor when returning home on Sun to go back to work on Mon... I won't be able to attend any of the IPT events.

I had a chance to go the KOTH event in FL but opted to go to the DCC instead. I didn't know at the time that the IPT event in FL would probably be my only chance to go to an IPT tourney. I don't regret my decision though. I had a great time at the DCC and my only regret is not knowing about the DCC yrs ago! ;)
 
When I read the article the other day, the first thing I thought was Jeanette was upset that she dropped the ball on calling the WPBA and sending in the IPT application and then tried to blame the WPBA for not saying anything about it.

Another thing that makes me believe this is that she went out for the qualifier.
 
Snapshot9 said:
But, I don't think the women pros are all that enthusiastic to showcase their skills with the level of the men players in the IPt.

I don't think they would ever win a tournament, including Allison. Allison has never competed in tournament with such a high skill level over the course of the entire tournament before. I have doubts about their endurance at such a high level. And playing safeties in 8 ball is not the same as 9 ball. Plus, breaking is different, especially with no side breaks.
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Allison??? I think you're looking to the wrong British lady. Check Sarah Ellerbys 8-ball championship titles!:eek: :) :D

Terry
 
I am amazed that players like Alex Pagulayon, Wu and Jeannette Lee were not contacted by the IPT directly regarding this tour. If the IPT wanted to promote pool, Jeannette Lee would have done a much better job than Mike Segal considering she is the most widely known figure in pool. Mike Segal with his mouth and demeanor represents what people despise about the sport.
 
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