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Post by kyledarby on Aug 16, 2012 1:38:07 GMT -5
Everyone seems to fixate on the Olympic dream yet neglect what we have. There are so many opinions and suggestions on what to do yet still no action. If you read on the website it clearly outlines the criteria from the International Olympic Committee to get a sport recognized and proposed. Rather than speculate I contacted them with a very short direct inquiry to which I recieved no reply. Just a thought but if they really were interested in expanding they would probably be easily contacted and simplify the system. I think yhe Olympic dream is a worth wild goal.
Honestly I think we have some phenomenal efforts occurring right under our noses that we write off and neglect. Truthfully I think we can do a better job embracing the visionaries of today rather than fixating on the past or future.
Neil Pickup and the Arm Wars super series has created a legacy for our sport and revolutionized the super match format. Neil has invested countless hours, diligent time, and personal money into honing this machine. He has brought these showcases around the globe. Arm wars is broadcasted in multiple countries and on DVD. This series continues to grow and improve. I for one am grateful. I think most of us could do a better job supporting Neil and ensuring success for his efforts and our sport. After all Arm Wars is real and it's in the present.
UAL is a hungry legitimate leauge. Rather than embracing it we reject it and postpone it's success. UAL has potential to impact our sport especially in the United States and the sky is the limit. Take into consideration the partnership with Arm Wars it's that much better. UAL needs support, athletes, loyalty, and dedication if it's going to make a difference. Anyone who has attended a UAL knows it's an elite show guaranteed to display electric action. Again it will mean nothing if we overlook it's potential.
Armfight has momentum and established events especially in Europe. This team has exclusive rights to countless hours of super match footage. They make a huge effort to bring elite pullers from around the world into the arena. They are constantly seeking innovative ideals to better the presentation. They even bring the shows Stateside. Do we show them the support we should?
Honestly there are many efforts occuring right now we neglect. Don't lose sight of the present.
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Post by Robin the manhandler Chandler on Aug 16, 2012 4:43:32 GMT -5
Well said kyle
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Post by Mike West on Aug 16, 2012 6:42:22 GMT -5
Well said Kyle, I would love to be able to support UAL more, but like I told Bill & Robert in Reno, we as armwrestlers need a little more notice than just a few weeks to be able to go to an event like that when it's on the other side of the country, or have some on the east coast or midwest, that would help also.
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Post by Tero Lampikari on Aug 16, 2012 9:17:30 GMT -5
Well said Kyle, I would love to be able to support UAL more, but like I told Bill & Robert in Reno, we as armwrestlers need a little more notice than just a few weeks to be able to go to an event like that when it's on the other side of the country, or have some on the east coast or midwest, that would help also. How's that Mr West? What's wrong with being basically ready 24/7 if no injuries? What more do you need than rest 7-10 days before the event?
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Post by John Wilson on Aug 16, 2012 10:16:11 GMT -5
Tero, are you being facetious?
If not, the reason is geography and cost. To attend an event in California costs me about $750 on average.
Flight across the US: $450 Hotel: 2 nights @ $100/night = $200 Rental car: 2 days @ $50/day = $100
Take Friday off from work: 1. Need notice at work 2. If paid hourly, deduct that amount of money from income for lost Time and Wages *(add this amount to cost of trip)
Entry fees: don't count. You have to pay them anywhere you compete.
Or, I could drive.
Florida to California: 4,070 KM (one way) = 8,140 KM drive time: 40 hours x 2 = 80 hours round trip $420 each way for fuel x 2 = $840 for fuel 4 nights each way in hotel x 2 = $600 Total cost to drive: $1,440
*add time off from work
*scratch that. Driving is eliminated
As you can see, this is something that most people need several months to budget for.
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Post by Tero Lampikari on Aug 16, 2012 10:43:57 GMT -5
Tero, are you being facetious? Not really, just trying to give a different perspective. As you can see, this is something that most people need several months to budget for. For sure. But is it really a money thing? How about building a "UAL short notice budget" in advance? (now that's a bit facetious ) BUT let's say there is a (imaginary if you will) "impulsive" promoter who likes to do things effectively and gets excited putting up an event faster than "the norm" and is willing to use his own money to do so without much hope of making money with it. Should he change the way he likes to work? Should he bring the show to you? Otherwise he doesn't get support? I get that it may be a reality with people who live far...but anyways? Maybe it's good to shake old habits once in awhile?
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Post by John Wilson on Aug 16, 2012 11:04:43 GMT -5
All good points, Tero.
The answer to all of your questions is: the UAL is experiencing the actual result of those decisions. Nothing has to change. The UAL is free to run as they see fit, and they are. They are doing some really great things in their geographical area.
As to the 'impulsive' promoter model, yes. That is what we are talking about here. Yes, it does generate excitement. Can that spur of the moment excitement be matched with actual attendance? That question has been answered about four times now. I would say the attendance has been quite extraordinary given the short notice and costs involved.
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Post by John Wilson on Aug 16, 2012 11:06:48 GMT -5
Kyle, I loved your post.
I think we do overlook how good we have it. Honestly, events suffer from the fact that pullers have so many options today. There are tournaments literally everywhere, just about every weekend of the year and most weekends have several.
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Post by David Owens on Aug 16, 2012 11:43:10 GMT -5
Kyle, I loved your post. I think we do overlook how good we have it. Honestly, events suffer from the fact that pullers have so many options today. There are tournaments literally everywhere, just about every weekend of the year and most weekends have several. And focused on the same target customer/puller and that is part of the problem.
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Post by kyledarby on Aug 16, 2012 12:41:34 GMT -5
The bottom line is generally there is no perfect scenario. But could we do a better job supporting these efforts and maximize attendance? ABSOLUTELY! All three have secured numerous events in Nevada. This tells us there is obvious room for potential growth and exposure. You have people coming from other countries to our backyard and we miss out in a elite show. I think Tero brings up a solid point about advanced preparation and a sport savings fund. How can people cry that we aren't on tv or in the Olympics when a large persentage don't go watch the best shows themselves?
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Post by John Wilson on Aug 16, 2012 13:02:56 GMT -5
But Kyle, that's kind of the problem. The sport is ALWAYS, and WITHOUT FAIL, marketed to the competitors themselves. We can't be the competitors and the sponsors, too. When people in this sport say "we need to support..." what they really mean is "you need to feel obligated to spend your money on this event."
This sport is financed from top to bottom by the competitors themselves. That's the reason it hasn't gotten bigger than it has.
You can't grow a village into a city using one shallow well.
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Post by "VENGEANCE" -David Rivera- on Aug 16, 2012 13:18:29 GMT -5
It's funny cause the MMA guys are talking about the same subject on there forums for years now.
WATER POLO IN OLYMPICS!?... BUT NO CAGE FIGHTING?
MMA does get plenty of TV time, but maybe 5 out of 100 MMA leagues / shows get that coverage on the major channels.
Hopefully XARM did not kill any hopes for armwrestling. Not saying i hate it, but it seems like every youtube video or source people are disliking everything about it.
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Post by kyledarby on Aug 16, 2012 14:32:34 GMT -5
Proffesor I agree to an extent. But consider this if you see a nike executive wearing addidas and a new balance shirt are you going to purchase nikes? The point is first you must endorse and support what you're marketing. I always invite people to spectate so they can gain understanding of the sport. I just challenge people to try a little harder. Does this mean put yourself in debt? NO! Does this mean drop what you're doing and attend every venue? NO! But make a effort. A good example is David investigating the channels to find broadcast of Arm Wars.
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