If the agreement was just oral, don't see how they can make a case legally.Bro Deal said:They claim there was an oral agreement the team would be invited.
exactly it didn't work for Clinton, oh not that kind of ...TheDarkLord said:If the agreement was just oral, don't see how they can make a case legally.
Ok, that makes some sense. Anything to be in the news. After all, he is in the whole business for no purpose other than publicity. He probably doesn't even care what kind of publicity he gets as long as he is in the news.earth_dweller said:exactly it didn't work for Clinton, oh not that kind of ...
I guess Ball just wanted to make sure that his team would be in the news before & during Tour de Georgia even if they are not invited. I still think he's going to call a press conference 1 hour before the offiicial one (like he did in California) to announce something... team folding? Axel Merckx joining as the DS?
All the make sure that the media talk about his team.
yep that's my take on it, it's all about publicity. I'm amazed the see the crowds that gather around RR at races. At Cali, people were buying the bottles when other teams given them away! the power of publicity.TheDarkLord said:Ok, that makes some sense. Anything to be in the news. After all, he is in the whole business for no purpose other than publicity. He probably doesn't even care what kind of publicity he gets as long as he is in the news.
I would not trust anything Ball does; but that doesn't mean this is groundless or unprovable. He may very well have been led to believe that his team would be invited. Perhaps there are others who can back him up.TheDarkLord said:If the agreement was just oral, don't see how they can make a case legally.
The difference between this and the Astana situation is that european cycling can survive getting rid of Astana. Big dollar U.S. domestic sponsors are hard to come by, and they are likely to get harder to come by in the near future.Crankyfeet said:I smell something beyond Rock riders with doping clouds and Ball's personality here as the reason. Who are the owners of the ToG? There's something else here I suspect... but I could be wrong obviously. Is it establishment versus anti-establishment? Are there some scores to be settled? Do they resent his money? Do they just want him out of USA cycling... the quicker the better. It's like a mini-Astana situation... it seeems.
Given the revelations here about Ball's willingness to punch out restaurant owners/maitre de's when he doesn't get his way... it wouldn't be a surprise if he had told a few important people in the US cycle racing world to "fark off" (or words to that effect) privately on the phone...Bro Deal said:The difference between this and the Astana situation is that european cycling can survive getting rid of Astana. Big dollar U.S. domestic sponsors are hard to come by, and they are likely to get harder to come by in the near future.
I would not be surprised if there was some sort of personal issue between Ball and Medalist Sports, which also organizes a number of other U.S. races.
not weak.Bro Deal said:I would not trust anything Ball does; but that doesn't mean this is groundless or unprovable. He may very well have been led to believe that his team would be invited. Perhaps there are others who can back him up.
One thing that makes me suspicious is that Ball is suing with not much time before the start of the race. It may be a strategy of brinksmanship, where he is gambling the organizers will back down. We saw a similar tactic in California where he tried to get the OP Three into the race.
The TdG's excuse for not inviting Rock was weak. Essentially they complained that Rock would bring too much publicity. That was when they were arguing that they didn't have enough team slots for the best domestic team in the country.
I see your point.thunder said:not weak.
Publicity is not <race + RR = net gain.>
Publicity for ToG = just race publicity.
RR seek to crowd out race publicity.
If RR did not hijack and cannibalise race publicity, they would be in.
RR = goodCrankyfeet said:I see your point.
The only thiong I would say though is that cycling events, unlike other sporting events, are subsidized by the teams. The day that cycling race organizers are forking out $5-8 Million in prize money to the cyclists (which is approximately the offering at golf and tennis tournaments) is the day IMHO that race organizers can start dictating to sponsored teams that they have to tone down their own impact at the event or not be invited. As far as I can see, Rock are trying to change the way cycling is marketed. Granted Ball is probably not the world's nicest guy...
I think if cycling is saying that sponsors have to be low key so that the race takes center stage... they are missing something and further reducing the potential return for sponsors.
I am not buying this. I think it is a lame excuse from the TdG. So what if people crowd around Rock and oogle the hotties? What else are the fans going to do? Sit around and stare at banners for the TdG's sponsors. Bringing more people out to each stage cannot hurt.thunder said:not weak.
Publicity is not <race + RR = net gain.>
Publicity for ToG = just race publicity.
RR seek to crowd out race publicity.
If RR did not hijack and cannibalise race publicity, they would be in.
payback for Cali. For using Hamilton, Sevilla and BoteroBro Deal said:I am not buying this. I think it is a lame excuse from the TdG. So what if people crowd around Rock and oogle the hotties? What else are the fans going to do? Sit around and stare at banners for the TdG's sponsors. Bringing more people out to each stage cannot hurt.
There has to be something else going on behind the scenes. It may be as simple as Ball being an asshole to the wrong person. It might be that the TdG does not want the stigma attached of Hamilton and crew. But the reasons of stealing publicity and not having room for the team are bogus.
TdG had no problem with Hamilton and Tinkoff at the race last year. I was there and the crowd had a very warm welcome for Hamilton. Lots of true believers out there. Landis also showed up promoting his book and got a hero's welcome. I think there is another reason for the RR ban than employing a host of former dopers, especially when the other teams have similar employees.Bro Deal said:I am not buying this. I think it is a lame excuse from the TdG. So what if people crowd around Rock and oogle the hotties? What else are the fans going to do? Sit around and stare at banners for the TdG's sponsors. Bringing more people out to each stage cannot hurt.
There has to be something else going on behind the scenes. It may be as simple as Ball being an asshole to the wrong person. It might be that the TdG does not want the stigma attached of Hamilton and crew. But the reasons of stealing publicity and not having room for the team are bogus.
if ball is cool, gimme luke warmhuboon said:When is Ball going to thank the TdG officials for inspiring him to go out and make his own cooler tour?
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