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Do Tournament Directors make too much money?

Posted By: Chiva Tafazzoli
Date: Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 11:44 p.m.

In Response To: Do Tournament Directors make too much money? (Marv Porten)

Yes, itīs well-known. All of us TDs have become rich, Pat Gibson lives in a palace in Beverly Hills, Bill Davis owns half Chicago, Howard Markowitz has his own yacht in Monte-Carlo while my only problem is the color of the new car I order every other week, etc. Since such a good buisness, I wonder why not more poeple set up backgammon tournaments?

Seriously guys. The numbers that I read are in my case far away from reality. Anyone who has attended the WBA events in Europe can only guess what a huge investment before-hand it takes. Top-notch equipment (high-class tabletop boards, clocks, dice-service), nice brochures, advertising (brochures, print ads, online banners) all around the bg world, gala dinners, cocktails and night outs, a great staff, a considerable amount of added money, and not but least, countless hours of work on which one can not put the right price.

Things are a bit different for the US Open. Admittedly, there is no added, no boards and no cocktails but a great staff and a very high risk in terms of room nights that I had to guarantee in order to make it at all happen. Most probably, and even with the 20% discount, I wonīt reach the required room nights and will have to pay for the meeting facilities on top. Not to forget travel expenses and other costs involved.

I will be more than happy to break-even and most delighted if I can make $1,000 on top, but it doesnīt look like it.

So the question is: "Why does he do it, is he crazy?"

And the answer is: "Yes, he maybe is crazy indeed. And he loves the game and thinks that a US Open is overdue. And he hopes to establish this event and be able to take it to every major backgammon city in the USA, cooperating with existing and local structures." Anyone who knows me a bit, also knows about my passion for backgammon and my attempts to give something back to the game.

All I ask for is aknowledgment and support from the players with their participation. Give it a try, if you donīt like it, you are entirely free to complain and I will be happy to listen and make improvements. Letīs not bury the child before it is born.

Messages In This Thread

• Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
  Marv Porten -- Tuesday, 10 February 2009, at 9:25 p.m.
  • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
    Dan Pelton -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 5:02 a.m.
    • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
      Stick -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 6:32 a.m.
      • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
        MFIC -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 8:26 a.m.
        • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
          Rich Munitz -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 1:56 p.m.
        • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
          Marv Porten -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 6:10 p.m.
      • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
        sunny -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 2:30 p.m.
        • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
          MFIC -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 8:29 p.m.
          • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
            Rich Munitz -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 9:41 p.m.
      • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
        Bill Riles -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 3:19 p.m.
        • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
          Jason Lee -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 4:27 p.m.
    • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
      Chuck Bower -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 12:41 p.m.
  • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
    garyo -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 1:03 p.m.
    • Did you actually read his post?? *NM*
      Chuck Bower -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 1:56 p.m.
      • what difference would it make?
        garyo -- Thursday, 12 February 2009, at 12:54 a.m.
        • Ask those who invested w/ Bernard Madoff
          Chuck Bower -- Thursday, 12 February 2009, at 1:34 p.m.
          • Ask those who invested w/ Bernard Madoff
            Jason Lee -- Thursday, 12 February 2009, at 4:55 p.m.
          • you must be a flaming liberal
            garyo -- Thursday, 12 February 2009, at 5:46 p.m.
            • you must be a flaming liberal
              Jason Lee -- Thursday, 12 February 2009, at 8:21 p.m.
              • then
                garyo -- Friday, 13 February 2009, at 6:11 p.m.
  • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
    Chiva Tafazzoli -- Wednesday, 11 February 2009, at 11:44 p.m.
    • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
      Jason Lee -- Thursday, 12 February 2009, at 2:54 a.m.
  • Do Tournament Directors make too much money?
    Coolrey -- Thursday, 12 February 2009, at 4:39 p.m.