09-05-2002, 01:09 PM
Well, they went and did it. The UPA put up a list of players
not playing in the US open on their website.
I'm really disappointed with both sides here. I was also forwarded an email. I don't know how reliable this information is. This is really hurting the sport.
Can't we all just get along ?!
(Start of the email message)
The History
· Behrman did not pay Strickland his full 1st place check($40,000?) at the 2000 US Open(probably the most successful Open with 280+ players and full house w/spectators) until 6 months after
· Behrman did not pay numerous pros their money at the 2001 Masters until 6 months after(some say there are still 2-3 who have not been paid)
· 2001 US Open Behrman tookout $30,000 out of the prizefund 5 days into the event after advertising a guarantee of 72000 added(reducing the added money into half the amount)
· Sept 2001 UPA informs Behrman that retribution is expected for the money he took out. Behrman agrees to make amends in a meeting with UPA Board members Phil Muller,Max Eberle, and Charlie Williams.
· Oct 2002 Behrman denies making any committment to repaying money to players
· Oct 2002 UPA informs Behrman that there will be new guidelines for sanctioning events that all promoters will have to adhere to
· March 2002 UPA Sanctioning & Promoter Guidelines are established and publicized
· May 2002 Behrman breaks the deadline the UPA set for his contract being due . UPA informs Behrman that UPA is prepared to make alternate arrangements for the dates of the US Open to insure UPA Players have safe financial environment to compete in. Behrman asks for a 3 week extension which the Board gave him.
· June 2002 Behrman again misses the deadline but asks for another brief extension while agreeing to UPA terms on the contract. Behrman requests that he only deal with Vice President Phil Muller in the negotiations
· July 2002 Behrman finalizes the contract verbally via phone with Vice President Phil Muller and promises contract delivery and escrow down payment of $4000 in a matter of 1 week but asks for UPA full support publicly in the meanwhile
· July 2002 UPA does not receive contract and repeatedly attempts to contact Behrman with little or no contact.
· Aug 2002 Behrman is contacted and desires to hand deliver contract and money to a UPA representative in Las Vegas. UPA notifies him to send through mail. A UPA Player is also called to retrieve contract in Vegas as a back-up.
· Aug 2002 NOW: Behrman informs UPA that he has not signed contract nor will pay the agreed downpayment in advance. Also informs UPA that further negotiations are required and that all agreed points before be changed. Some highlights include $10000 repayment of last years reduction be changed to repayment of how he sees fit vs. UPA disbursement to players affected.
I think it is safe to say that we cannot trust Mr Behrman as the UPA have turned the other cheek so many times already.
The UPA has given Behrman every chance there is possible to make the US Open go on smoothly but I must say that it is Mr Behrman who has caused the situation to come to this.
Alternate Event
The UPA had made alternate preparations in Atlanta GA with an upcoming new room that had earlier on inquired on doing a UPA event.
Negotiations did not seem in favor of the US Open so the UPA was close in finalizing a committment for an alternate event in Sept with many sponsors from the US Open supporting the new event.
But the event was called off as Behrman insisted on working a deal through with the UPA at the very last day of his deadline
I feel the UPA must at the very least write and inform all players, fans , and industry of the situation.
I believe mr Berhman has misled many others in developing ties to his event
Many now look to the UPA as an official stamp of approval that an event is secure and safe to play, attend, and sponsor. The UPA has an obligation and responsibility to let the public know the full truth of what has transpired.
The UPA must at the very least give a public disclaimer to protect their name and their players. The UPA must publicly announce that it has no part or association in the US Open for good or bad. They must announce that players, fans, and sponsors are not protected at all at the event and they get involved at their own risk.
All I know is that in a perfect world any pool player with an ounce of pride and self-respect should not even blink at not being able to play at the US Open.
(end of the email message)
I just hope they (UPA) are happy with probably wrecking
an event that just might put the sport in the limelight.
J. Davis
not playing in the US open on their website.
I'm really disappointed with both sides here. I was also forwarded an email. I don't know how reliable this information is. This is really hurting the sport.
Can't we all just get along ?!
(Start of the email message)
The History
· Behrman did not pay Strickland his full 1st place check($40,000?) at the 2000 US Open(probably the most successful Open with 280+ players and full house w/spectators) until 6 months after
· Behrman did not pay numerous pros their money at the 2001 Masters until 6 months after(some say there are still 2-3 who have not been paid)
· 2001 US Open Behrman tookout $30,000 out of the prizefund 5 days into the event after advertising a guarantee of 72000 added(reducing the added money into half the amount)
· Sept 2001 UPA informs Behrman that retribution is expected for the money he took out. Behrman agrees to make amends in a meeting with UPA Board members Phil Muller,Max Eberle, and Charlie Williams.
· Oct 2002 Behrman denies making any committment to repaying money to players
· Oct 2002 UPA informs Behrman that there will be new guidelines for sanctioning events that all promoters will have to adhere to
· March 2002 UPA Sanctioning & Promoter Guidelines are established and publicized
· May 2002 Behrman breaks the deadline the UPA set for his contract being due . UPA informs Behrman that UPA is prepared to make alternate arrangements for the dates of the US Open to insure UPA Players have safe financial environment to compete in. Behrman asks for a 3 week extension which the Board gave him.
· June 2002 Behrman again misses the deadline but asks for another brief extension while agreeing to UPA terms on the contract. Behrman requests that he only deal with Vice President Phil Muller in the negotiations
· July 2002 Behrman finalizes the contract verbally via phone with Vice President Phil Muller and promises contract delivery and escrow down payment of $4000 in a matter of 1 week but asks for UPA full support publicly in the meanwhile
· July 2002 UPA does not receive contract and repeatedly attempts to contact Behrman with little or no contact.
· Aug 2002 Behrman is contacted and desires to hand deliver contract and money to a UPA representative in Las Vegas. UPA notifies him to send through mail. A UPA Player is also called to retrieve contract in Vegas as a back-up.
· Aug 2002 NOW: Behrman informs UPA that he has not signed contract nor will pay the agreed downpayment in advance. Also informs UPA that further negotiations are required and that all agreed points before be changed. Some highlights include $10000 repayment of last years reduction be changed to repayment of how he sees fit vs. UPA disbursement to players affected.
I think it is safe to say that we cannot trust Mr Behrman as the UPA have turned the other cheek so many times already.
The UPA has given Behrman every chance there is possible to make the US Open go on smoothly but I must say that it is Mr Behrman who has caused the situation to come to this.
Alternate Event
The UPA had made alternate preparations in Atlanta GA with an upcoming new room that had earlier on inquired on doing a UPA event.
Negotiations did not seem in favor of the US Open so the UPA was close in finalizing a committment for an alternate event in Sept with many sponsors from the US Open supporting the new event.
But the event was called off as Behrman insisted on working a deal through with the UPA at the very last day of his deadline
I feel the UPA must at the very least write and inform all players, fans , and industry of the situation.
I believe mr Berhman has misled many others in developing ties to his event
Many now look to the UPA as an official stamp of approval that an event is secure and safe to play, attend, and sponsor. The UPA has an obligation and responsibility to let the public know the full truth of what has transpired.
The UPA must at the very least give a public disclaimer to protect their name and their players. The UPA must publicly announce that it has no part or association in the US Open for good or bad. They must announce that players, fans, and sponsors are not protected at all at the event and they get involved at their own risk.
All I know is that in a perfect world any pool player with an ounce of pride and self-respect should not even blink at not being able to play at the US Open.
(end of the email message)
I just hope they (UPA) are happy with probably wrecking
an event that just might put the sport in the limelight.
J. Davis