We had the chance to sit down with UPA (United Pool Players Association) player representative Charlie Williams and board member Phil Muller during and again after this years US Open 9-Ball Championship. This is a compilation of those two sessions. Barry Behrman's rebuttal to this interview can be found here and the speech that he made to the players at the US Open can be found here.

AZB: Charlie, by now most everyone knows about the money situation at the US Open. I understand there was a 'players only' meeting held before the Open was over. Can you tell us about that meeting and what went on? Charlie Williams: Yes, we had a players only meeting at the Us Open which stemmed from the reduction of the prize fund last night. On Sept.14 there was a brief 10 minute meeting which consisted of most of the players who were in the top 32 spots for the money. It was there that the promoter of the US open (Barry Behrman), announced that there would be 20% taken out of the prize fund. Behrman said that it was due mostly to the tragic events that occurred in DC and New York. There were ticket refunds to be made and a slow weekend admission was expected. He asked for the players understanding and left it at that. I was not aware of this meeting until the next day. When I learned of the issue, I immediately notified the other UPA (United Pool Players Association) board members and rallied a new meeting with the players. Many players were telling me of their discontent of the situation. I agreed. Not knowing what to expect, I did my best to inform the players in the UPA and players who had finished in the money to meet in 2 1/2 hours for a meeting. I was pleasantly surprised to see roughly 50 players attend the meeting, including many international players as well. Then I was concerned that it was going to be chaotic with 50 guys yelling all their opinions at one time. I announced that you should raise your hand, and once called, you would have the floor. That was exactly what happened. The players showed much consideration as hands were raised and people spoke. Around 15 players had an opportunity to speak (some more than once). I felt very good in my heart seeing us (the players) come together as a whole and unite. It felt like a brotherhood versus just another tournament. Several issues were discussed at the meeting, some of which I cannot disclose. But the one thing that EVERY player in there agreed on was that what Behrman did was not right. At the beginning of this event, Behrman announced that there would be $72,000 added. Guaranteed. No funny stuff this time or waiting for checks. He assured us of that. Even on his flyers he advertised $72,000 added and GUARANTEED in bold print with an exclamation mark. For five days they posted the prize money breakdown which originally had $40,000 1st, $20,000 2nd etc. Then on friday night they took it down (and never posted another one again). Now 1st was 30,000 and 2nd $15000, the rest of the 24 spots were affected as well. $36,000 was taken out. That's half the added money advertised and guaranteed. Instead of $72,000 added guaranteed, it was $36,000 added warranty. The players all agreed (in a vote) that Behrman,or any other promoter, did not have the right to do this without the permission and consent of the players. Behrman took the initiative and decided this with no vote, but simply a brief explanation and a sorry. At the end of the meeting, Behrman was allowed to enter and explain his thoughts and actions. He started off by saying that the US Open was not a money maker. He has lost money on this the majority of the years he has done this. He took a loss at the Masters, and now he was going to take one on this one. Because of the tragedies of the last few days, many tickets had to be refunded and there was going to be a significant decrease in the admission sales for the weekend. Why is this pertinent to the prize fund, you might ask? Because for the first time in the US Open's illustrious career Behrman informed us that the added money was based on admission sales. If the Open has good sales, then there would be good money in the prize fund. So that means the guaranteed money is not really there? Then what is the guarantee? When we brought up the point that he announced this several times and even had a flyer with $72,000 guaranteed with his name on the bottom, Barry simply said ,"I wish I never said that." One player said," Hey Barry, if I have a bad year next year, can I just pay you half my entry?" The point is, the business of the US Open should be seperate from the business of the players. At the end, Behrman and the UPA players came to an agreement. Barry admitted that he was premature in making this decision and would never do it again. He also would try to come to some resolution for those who were affected. The UPA players then agreed to let Behrman and the UPA board of directors meet in the morning to discuss options. At that meeting, Behrman acknowledged the fact that he owed $36,000 to the top 24 players. We, the UPA, then discussed possible resolutions. The immediate one that we agreed on was that only 1/2 of the refunds would go out, and the other half would go to the top 24. This would still leave 3/4 of the debt left over to pay, but it showed that Behrman was keeping his word on trying to pay the players back. Phil Muller: I did not attend the first player's meeting held on Friday September 14th. I did, however, attend the second player's meeting on Saturday, September 15th at Charlie's request. The objective of this meeting was to obtain player's response and possible remedies to the deficit in the Guaranteed prize money. I listened to various players respond to the issue. Some were hostile and some were looking for a solution, but most were looking to the UPA for arbitration and a solution. The bottom line is; the promoter had violated the players trust. Of course there is always 2 sides to every story and Behrman was invited to speak. Prior to Barry speaking, we asked that the players respect Barry and give him time to address the group. The players were cordial to Behrman. Behrman said he had to cut the prize fund because he lost his shirt once again and could hardly afford to pay mandatory tournament expenses. He also felt it was imperative to refund paid VIP ticket holders who did not attend. We listened and the meeting ended abruptly due to ensuing matches. Charlie, told the players the UPA would continue to pursue a resolution with Behrman. Personally I was quite shocked that a promoter could and would do this. In retrospect, I can understand how this could come about. Behrman has been running this event, now an institution, for almost 30 years and has always , in my opinion, put on a great show. In April of this year, he ventured into promoting a new event, The Masters. I attended this event and can attest to the fact he lost money at the gate and also suffered poor player attendance. The apparent loss of revenue from the U.S. Open gate and poor player attendance once again only exacerbated his financial dilemma. AZB: Now, since no more money was added, some people might say you accomplished nothing in the meeting. What do you feel was accomplished? Phil Muller: On the contrary, we accomplished quite a bit. We, the UPA, now have unity and a plan. The promoter admitted he made an error. He said, "It was a mistake on his part and he wished he had not used the term Guarantee and would not use it again in the future…" As a businessman, I can truly sympathize with Behrman in his financial dilemma, but as a UPA board member, I will assertively act on the player's behalf. Charlie Williams: There was much accomplished here. First, that money taken out will be put back to those who deserve it. But most of all, we came together as a group. Individually we are just common complainers,but together we are a force to be reckoned with. Now, this event will hopefully send a message out to the world that there is an association that is protecting the players. Most of all, I hope the players realize that they are not alone, and that united we have power. AZB: Phil, Can you tell us about the general vibe amongst the players in the meeting? Did they sound like they were behind the UPA or not? Phil Muller: When I was first introduced to address the players as a UPA board member, they were confused and apprehensive. When I finished, there were smiles, lots of them. Firstly, the UPA, a player organization, was affirmed by the players as a credible association who truly cares about its players. Based on past escapades in this arena, this is quite an accomplishment. Secondly, it was unanimous that the players would support the UPA board in seeking restitution from the Promoter. Thirdly, the players felt comfortable knowing that the board would address a plan that would prevent promoters from doing this in the future. AZB: So, where exactly was the topic of money left when the players left the Open? Phil Muller: Max Eberle, Charlie Williams and myself met with Barry and Brady Behrman the next day. The promoter's financials seem to be at rock bottom. Therefore, it's fairly obvious, he cannot afford to shell out good old American greenbacks at this time. The promoter still owes the players over $30K and we will not forgive the debt. Money or some other form of restitution must be disbursed to the players within a reasonable time frame. All at this meeting agreed that the UPA and the promoter would work out equitable terms of restitution. I would like to think that Barry is a man of his word. Likewise, we are not a band of thugs and therefore we wish to see our relationship continue with the promoter for future events. AZB: Charlie, I understand you have talked with Barry since the end of the tourney. How did that conversation go? Charlie Williams: Recently I had a new conversation with Behrman. This was sparked by a call from Jerry Forsyth (Pool & BIlliard magazine). He was checking his story and wanted to make sure it was right. He had talked to Barry and this is what Behrman pretty much said. Behrman explained that he had taken a loss at the Open in light of the tragic events. He had to take 20% of the money out, and that the players had a meeting. The outcome of that meeting was that the players understood where he was coming from and were fine by his decision of the reduction. If he could pay it back in the future he would, but in the meantime it's forgotten. THIS IS COMPLETELY AND ABSOLUTELY FALSE. The purpose of that meeting was for the players to voice out at how much they COMPLETELY disagreed with what he did. They then voted that the money should be paid back. The players voted (by a vast majority) that Barry should repay the $36,000 taken out one way or another. To leave it just gone was not an option. Many of the international players agreed with this. One international player stated, "I traveled a long way to get here. I've spent a lot of money on expenses because I thought this was going to be a big event with big money. Now in the middle of the event half, the advertised money is taken out. This is not right." Another International player said, "We have to pay 30% off the bat as well because we are not citizens. Now there is 20% more taken out? I never would have came if I knew this." Behrman agreed at the meeting that he would try to come to some resolution in private with the UPA Board. The next day it was done. Behrman admitted he owed restitution to the players and would do so one way or another. When I called him a few days ago he went on and on about how much he lost and how ungrateful, we the players, were. But he insistingly avoided admitting what he had told us in private, which was that he owed and would pay. He then abruptly ended our call. Another UPA board member (Max Eberle) then called him a few days after. The same results. It is apparent that Mr. Behrman does not want to cooperate with the UPA, nor its players. We have tried to offer our assistance to smooth things out, but he has reneged once again. I myself am very tired of his antics. If Mr.Behrman wants to take money out for himself, okay. If he wants to guarantee money on his advertisements but not really fulfill them, okay. If he wants to promise to the UPA that he will repay money to the 24 players affected, agree to work together for the future of the US Open, shake our hands but then turn around and decides to not do any of it, okay. But if he wants to tell the pool world that the players are on his side and that they are supporting his actions, THAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. We the UPA ,and the players who we serve, are not satisfied. This matter is not resolved nor is it over.

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