WPBA Viejas Vehemence
- Thread starter SUPERSTAR
- Start date
To the Point
Correct again,Mark. The WPBA has been in existence for over two decades. Each succeeding leadership group has the responsibility to develop the Association. Look to the past,and you see what decisions were made and by whom,and the results. As I have stated in other posts concerning matters of Men's Pro Pool,the WPA,Olympic's,etc.,it is always a matter of Money and Power. It will require an individual with the ability to restore cohesiveness within the organization,diplomacy in dealing with the business,and personality to communicate with player and public alike,for the betterment of the Association and the Sport.
Agree
Yes Steve, I agree. I was up watching the live stream last night,and they kept saying the brackets are being worked on.
How long ago did the APA hook-up with the WPBA? Johnnyt
Recent Sponsor
Johnnyt,I believe the APA became a sponsor of the WPBA in 1999/2000,so about 10 years.
Too bad the APA didn't do what Mark and John were saying and putting tiny amounts per player, per week into a kitty.
That would be a BIG kitty today.
roflmao.....good one!
Thank you. Johnnyt
I tried the link on SuperStars orig thread would not link up. Not knowing the truth from both sides, except this situation feels "so familiar" with what the mens pros have been through and I was along for many of those rides, here's my opinion with out the facts, but more from the facts of life standpoint.
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My hopes, much like what's going on with our current political system here in the US is that allot of Good will come from the current conflict thats going on at Viejas. There's too much risk keeping the status quo, without change the sport is unable to make the giant leap that's needed. Who would of thought McDonalds would be selling Burritos, when Burgers are what they are all about. Keep it coming Jerry F. and John hang in there.
BiL
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My hopes, much like what's going on with our current political system here in the US is that allot of Good will come from the current conflict thats going on at Viejas. There's too much risk keeping the status quo, without change the sport is unable to make the giant leap that's needed. Who would of thought McDonalds would be selling Burritos, when Burgers are what they are all about. Keep it coming Jerry F. and John hang in there.
BiL
I don't know anything....but this sounds horrible, it brings back flashes of Don Mackey (I was on the board during that era) I remember hearing one of the men "Robin do you want to be on TV now or years from now" I remember saying I don't care if I'm ever on TV we are to do what is required of us we represent our members, it was a no brainer-by-laws help us stay within the boundaries and not let someone bull dog their ideas. I hope this isn't the case and my 2 cents to John Rousseau "be above reproach"...have a board and have a vote! I believe the WPBA always survived because we worked within the guidelines of the by-laws.
What I do know, Brunswick has always been there for the WPBA and for any WPBA member to suggest otherwise hasn't been around very long.
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With Mataya speaking out, conflict of interest speaks loudly to me.
The link was to that PCN blog, and whoever that was, just pulled the plug on it, citing veiled threats.
I know Ewa, she stood up because it was the right thing for her to do.
If it was a different sponsor that was a loyal as Brunswick has been, she would have stood up for them too.
I believe there are MANY conflict of interests in the WPBA. (As there is in almost all things billiards).
I also believe Brunswick was a good sponsor for many years (only to the WPBA).
I also believe that Brunswick had the first opportunity PLUS a second chance to be the table sponsor of this years WPBA tour. And they did not want it enough to open their checkbook. They had a 'free ride' last year and were not required to put in added money.
To suggest that Rousseau or others would change table sponsors without talking to Brunswick is ridiculous. Contracts need to be renewed and the situations change all the time.
I understand Ewa's loyalties BUT her priorities MUST be with what is best for the WPBA. (Not to mention she is also contracted (with Mitch) to do the commentary on the WPBA matches - a choice that many think should be changed).
None of us know the facts - but you can bet that Rousseau is NOT getting the support a President should get. The previous management of the WPBA operated without ANY backup plans or safeguards in place. The BOD does not have ability to post on their own website (so I have heard).
So there is much to meet the eye - give it some time to work out. Obviously the previous business plan was badly flawed - so what ya got to lose???
Mark Griffin
I also believe Brunswick was a good sponsor for many years (only to the WPBA).
I also believe that Brunswick had the first opportunity PLUS a second chance to be the table sponsor of this years WPBA tour. And they did not want it enough to open their checkbook. They had a 'free ride' last year and were not required to put in added money.
To suggest that Rousseau or others would change table sponsors without talking to Brunswick is ridiculous. Contracts need to be renewed and the situations change all the time.
I understand Ewa's loyalties BUT her priorities MUST be with what is best for the WPBA. (Not to mention she is also contracted (with Mitch) to do the commentary on the WPBA matches - a choice that many think should be changed).
None of us know the facts - but you can bet that Rousseau is NOT getting the support a President should get. The previous management of the WPBA operated without ANY backup plans or safeguards in place. The BOD does not have ability to post on their own website (so I have heard).
So there is much to meet the eye - give it some time to work out. Obviously the previous business plan was badly flawed - so what ya got to lose???
Mark Griffin
Then how did they post the link to the stream? And how did they post the brackets from this event and the note that a message from the president would be forthcoming?
I do know for a fact that the hosting company changed the login information for the site. Considering that those changes did away with the old login info, I would assume that those changes were made at the current BOD's request. Unless the hosting company just did it for the heck of it.
Mike
I do know for a fact that the hosting company changed the login information for the site. Considering that those changes did away with the old login info, I would assume that those changes were made at the current BOD's request. Unless the hosting company just did it for the heck of it.
Mike
Mark, appreciate the nitty gritty of the realities of business from the mind of a business man and not the mind of a pool player. I've never in my life seen a successful business not make dramatic changes to stay alive. No successful business sticks to its original business plan.
I probably should not use the little energy I have at the moment to reply to the thread but since I know John personally I will speak a bit on it. I think John will pull this off if given the chance, he is a smart guy, cares about the ladies and the tour. I think the players running the tour is a bad idea and they are not business people. John is a successful business guy and we all know Jeanette is close to him, Jeanette is successful too.
I think the WPBA needs a Jeanette Lee for marketing purposes plus she is a smart lady who brings much to the table. The tour is where it is because of the same old same old. It is time for change, drastic changes to take a chance to bring new life into the tour and new money.
We know Ewa and Brunswick are tight and she is loyal to them but if Diamond is willing to do more for the tour then its business and a smart move by John to get them involved. Diamond is doing so much for pool right now and as for Brunswick I do not see them doing as much. Would like to see Brunswick do a $50,000 added tournament once a year or something to that affect. The TV exposure Brunswick gets for letting the ladies use the tables is pennies on the dollar IMO, your product is front and center on ESPN, you should have to pay a little bit for that at least or give some tables for the WPBA to sell and raffle off.
I think what happens in these meetings have not been made public very much but I am sure it is all not peachy in the board room. When it comes to business, changes and conflicts of interest it can become heated. I think John is getting a ton of heat for his changes, give the guy a chance, he has only been President for about 2 months or so. He has to do things different, has to take some risk too and so do the board members along with the players.
I think we are all making a big deal out of nothing and things are getting blow out of proportion. I hope John does not give up because if he does the WPBA might not be around much longer, with his help it might be better then ever. Good luck John and do not quit, you can fade the heat and make them all eat crow. :thumbup:
I think the WPBA needs a Jeanette Lee for marketing purposes plus she is a smart lady who brings much to the table. The tour is where it is because of the same old same old. It is time for change, drastic changes to take a chance to bring new life into the tour and new money.
We know Ewa and Brunswick are tight and she is loyal to them but if Diamond is willing to do more for the tour then its business and a smart move by John to get them involved. Diamond is doing so much for pool right now and as for Brunswick I do not see them doing as much. Would like to see Brunswick do a $50,000 added tournament once a year or something to that affect. The TV exposure Brunswick gets for letting the ladies use the tables is pennies on the dollar IMO, your product is front and center on ESPN, you should have to pay a little bit for that at least or give some tables for the WPBA to sell and raffle off.
I think what happens in these meetings have not been made public very much but I am sure it is all not peachy in the board room. When it comes to business, changes and conflicts of interest it can become heated. I think John is getting a ton of heat for his changes, give the guy a chance, he has only been President for about 2 months or so. He has to do things different, has to take some risk too and so do the board members along with the players.
I think we are all making a big deal out of nothing and things are getting blow out of proportion. I hope John does not give up because if he does the WPBA might not be around much longer, with his help it might be better then ever. Good luck John and do not quit, you can fade the heat and make them all eat crow. :thumbup:
Mark made some good points.
The number of tour stops has been falling off year over year, to the point where we are now. Not much of a tour these days.
In fact, it could be argued that they are on the verge of shutting down. That being the case, it would seem that anything would be better. Something has to change, or the WPBA will end up sitting in the books beside the Camel tour.
What went wrong isn't nearly as important as what will be done to change direction. Before we call for anyone's head, perhaps we should see where things are going.
Steve
The number of tour stops has been falling off year over year, to the point where we are now. Not much of a tour these days.
In fact, it could be argued that they are on the verge of shutting down. That being the case, it would seem that anything would be better. Something has to change, or the WPBA will end up sitting in the books beside the Camel tour.
What went wrong isn't nearly as important as what will be done to change direction. Before we call for anyone's head, perhaps we should see where things are going.
Steve
WPBA support and infighting
Mike,
I respect your opinions and insight. However, there are certain women that would rather see Rousseau fail and the WPBA suffer, than to see him succeed. Their feelings were hurt and they are doing about everything they can discreetly do to cause distractions and grief.
Remember when I bought the BCA Pool League? Remember all the tacky bullshit things the detractors did and said? Where are they now? They were not good for pool then and they are not good for pool now. All they did was to divide and industry and cause hard feelings.
The same will happen to some of these women. They are small minded and selfish. They are a team player when THEIR team is winning. I have been told that Rousseau did not have access to the website. There is obviously a problem since he has not posted on the 'message from the president'. The brackets took forever to get up. And the Brunswick logo is still on the site.
That is NOT how you run a website. There have been many complaints about the WPBA site. It was not laid out very well. As you might remember, it went down right before the RTC in LA. a few weeks ago and was finally up and running again. BUT there is a problem that still exists.
You know much more than I do about web managemnet - but it needs to be user friendly for both the public audience AND those that need to be able to update. Anne used to be able to do updates - what changed that would not allow the WPBA board access?
If you want to discuss this more, I don't think the AZ forums is the place.
I just think the press might be aggravated because of the 'rumor' about posting. I have no idea if this is true or not. BUT I do believe there was a similar ban on posting in the past. How often did things happen and there was very little information.
The Ellerby - Chen elbow incident about 2 years ago comes to mind. As does the last election in Lincoln City.
I still think John can make things happen - but if he is so busy putting how fires, how can he build a new foundation? I know - I had to do it and it cost me at LEAST a year or two in our league development.
Mark Griffin
kwpsi a
Mike,
I respect your opinions and insight. However, there are certain women that would rather see Rousseau fail and the WPBA suffer, than to see him succeed. Their feelings were hurt and they are doing about everything they can discreetly do to cause distractions and grief.
Remember when I bought the BCA Pool League? Remember all the tacky bullshit things the detractors did and said? Where are they now? They were not good for pool then and they are not good for pool now. All they did was to divide and industry and cause hard feelings.
The same will happen to some of these women. They are small minded and selfish. They are a team player when THEIR team is winning. I have been told that Rousseau did not have access to the website. There is obviously a problem since he has not posted on the 'message from the president'. The brackets took forever to get up. And the Brunswick logo is still on the site.
That is NOT how you run a website. There have been many complaints about the WPBA site. It was not laid out very well. As you might remember, it went down right before the RTC in LA. a few weeks ago and was finally up and running again. BUT there is a problem that still exists.
You know much more than I do about web managemnet - but it needs to be user friendly for both the public audience AND those that need to be able to update. Anne used to be able to do updates - what changed that would not allow the WPBA board access?
If you want to discuss this more, I don't think the AZ forums is the place.
I just think the press might be aggravated because of the 'rumor' about posting. I have no idea if this is true or not. BUT I do believe there was a similar ban on posting in the past. How often did things happen and there was very little information.
The Ellerby - Chen elbow incident about 2 years ago comes to mind. As does the last election in Lincoln City.
I still think John can make things happen - but if he is so busy putting how fires, how can he build a new foundation? I know - I had to do it and it cost me at LEAST a year or two in our league development.
Mark Griffin
kwpsi a
