WPBA Event during Hopkins Expo?!

[BackPocket9Ball]

Can anyone tell me why the WPBA would schedule a tour stop that coincides with Allen & Dawn Hopkins' Expo in Valley Forge?

Without knowing the underlying reasons, this seems like sort of dick move on the WPBA's part -- especially considering that Dawn is a touring pro and that Allen has tried to help the WPBA in the past by hosting WPBA events at his expo.

 

[Rich R.]

Can anyone tell me why the WPBA would schedule a tour stop that coincides with Allen & Dawn Hopkins' Expo in Valley Forge?

Without knowing the underlying reasons, this seems like sort of dick move on the WPBA's part -- especially considering that Dawn is a touring pro and that Allen has tried to help the WPBA in the past by hosting WPBA events at his expo.

Allen Hopkins Productions and the WPBA have gotten themselves into a very large pissing contest.

A couple of years ago, the WPBA raised the amount of money needed to have a WPBA tournament. In fact, IIRC, they doubled the amount needed.
So far, Hopkins does not want to pay the increased amount, therefore, he did not have a WPBA tournament last year and will not have one this year.

Don't mention that round robin women's tournament, they had last year. It was a joke and anyone who could not pick the final two, before it started, has never watched women's pool. They were lucky to draw twenty spectators for most sessions.

Although Hopkins supported the WPBA and showcased them for many years, when no one else would, the WPBA does not feel that they can give him a break on the price.

Now the WPBA has scheduled a tournament for the same weekend as the EXPO, which means that players will not be available to appear at their sponsors booths, at one of the largest billiard shows in the world.
This is not going to make sponsors happy. They will be mad at both Hopkins and the players they sponsor.

IMHO, Hopkins and the WPBA have to put their egos aside and come to a compromise.
The Expo is too important of an event, for the players not to attend and support their sponsors. That is one of the things the sponsors are paying for.
Hopkins has to come up with some more money to pay to the WPBA and the WPBA has to give a break to someone who supported them, when others were not there.

Maybe the industry sponsors should unite and tell both sides to get their acts together.

 

[catscradle]

Can anyone tell me why the WPBA would schedule a tour stop that coincides with Allen & Dawn Hopkins' Expo in Valley Forge?

Without knowing the underlying reasons, this seems like sort of dick move on the WPBA's part -- especially considering that Dawn is a touring pro and that Allen has tried to help the WPBA in the past by hosting WPBA events at his expo.[/QUOTE

backpocket,

The Pro men will be there!!!!!! Ha Ha Ha The ladies have a real tour with well know players and sponsors, even a media guide. They have a discipline schedule and play for the highest bidder. Just like all the rest of the sports. It's no dick move it's business. If you want to see the ladies play go to San Diego to see them or see them in Florida in September.

I do hope in coming years they won't leave out the Northeast where some of the best lady players reside. (Dawn Hopkins for one)

Cheers,

Gremlin

Maybe they were left out by Hopkins. I wonder what the ratio of tickets sold to the men's event and tickets sold to the women's event was last year. I honestly think most people given the choice between watching a women's event and a men's event will watch the men. I know that's the choice I and the people with me made last year at VF and would make again this year if the choice were there. We spent about a minute or less at the ticket booth making the decision.
Matter of fact there are only about a half a dozen women I'd like to watch and then only if they're playing each other or playing men. I sorry but the talent in the WPBA just isn't deep enough to be entertaining whereas the talent goes much deeper on the men's side. The men may be disorganized but they play more entertaining pool.
Also I suspect bringing in the men's "artistic billiards" might be cheaper than the woman. And we all know it is about $$$$.
JMHO.

 

[catscradle]

...
IMHO, Hopkins and the WPBA have to put their egos asside and come to a compromise...

Put their egos aside? In our lifetimes? Yeah, sure.

 

[Rich R.]

Put their egos aside? In our lifetimes? Yeah, sure.

It could happen!

 

[Mike Templeton]

Rich,

There is only one flaw in the solution that you suggest. It makes too much sense.

Mike

 

[CueHunter]

I was there last year and watched both the men and women play. I would MUCH rather watch the women play than that "artistic pool" crap! WHO CARES? How do the trick shot tournaments get as much airtime as the men and women combined? While I am on the topic, (ESPN sucks for billiards by the way) pay attention next time, they never mention WHEN the tournament you are watching is from. Never do they say "this is the 2002 tournament of champions" they leave out the fact we are sometimes watching very old footage. Got off track there sorry. The only reason I am not that worried about the absence of the women at Valley Forge is, if the men and women both had full brackets, it would be a tough choice which to choose. I guess I would side towards the men. Someone in an earlier thread mentioned the mens field is much deeper then the women. That is very accurate, there are only a handfull of women contenders while the men have 15 or so guys that could win any tournament. I'll be there again this year and looking forward to it. That's it!