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02-Nov-10:
PST Players on the PSA "ban" |
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PSA v PST:
the story so far
lots of discussion on Let's Talk
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You'll no doubt have followed the news and debate on the
PSA's decision not to allow its members to participate in
the US-based Pro Squash Tour's events, and the forthcoming
legal case (the story so far),
but now for the first time we get first-hand reaction from
some of the players who will be directly affected by the
decision.
The comments here are all from players based in the US who
have played at least two PST tournaments, ranging from
current and former top ten players to young professionals
just starting their career, with current PSA rankings from
#9 to #306.
There's undoubtedly alternative views - which we're quite
happy to receive and publish - from other players on both
sides of the argument - but, for starters, here are the
views of David Palmer, Wael El Hindi,
Shahier Razik, Wade Johnstone, Chris Gordon,
Graham Bassett and Ned Marks.
Comments to
pst@squashsite.co.uk |
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1) Do you think the PSA was right
to ban players from playing in PST events? |
 David
Palmer (Australia), 34, based in Orlando, Florida,
two-time world champion, ten years in the PSA top 10.
 Wael
El Hindi (Egypt), 30, based in New York City, NY, four
years in the PSA top 20.
 Shahier
Razik (Canada), 32, based in Toronto, ten years in
the PSA top 50.
 Wade
Johnstone (Australia), 29, based in Baltimore, Maryland,
six years in PSA top 110.
 Christopher
Gordon (USA), 24, based in Hartford, Connecticut, six
years in PSA top 100.
 Graham
Bassett (USA), 25, based in New York City, New York,
three years in PSA rankings.
 Ned
Marks, (USA), 24, I am in my 2nd year on the PSA
tour and I live in Greenwich Ct. I am the head coach of the
boys varsity and jv programs at the St. Luke’s School in New
Canaan, CT, and I played intercollegiately at Denison
University.
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PALMER: No, I think they
made a bad decision. I think they jumped the gun without
looking at all the facts first.
EL HINDI: No, I don't think it was the right
decision.
RAZIK: No, I believe there are other ways the PSA
could have dealt with the issue that did not require
lawyers, courts and petitions.
JOHNSTONE: No, as it's taking players rights away in
what squash tournaments they choose to play and where.
GORDON: No, because they are limiting our earning
power, public exposure, and opportunity to play high level
matches close to home.
BASSETT: I think squash professionals should be able
to earn a living playing squash wherever they can. There is
very little prize money available on the PSA tour,
particularly for lower ranked-players. Additionally, many
players receive little, if any, funding from their
countries. U.S.- based pros are further disadvantaged, since
there is no U.S. league. I am forced to teach lessons for a
living, and am constantly balancing the ratio of lessons to
playing pro tournaments. PST tournaments helped me tip that
balance. I was playing good matches against top-ranked
players, making money, and helping to promote squash.
MARKS: No, I don't think so. It is unfair for the PSA
to tell their players how they have to earn their living,
especially when the PSA tour is so financially unviable to
most players.
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2) Can you understand the PSA's
reasoning behind the decision? |
PALMER: I can understand
PSA's concerns, but the PST is no threat to the PSA
World-wide tour.
EL HINDI: I understand they just took it in a
negative way instead of thinking positive that it helps grow
the sport in North America and also didn't think about the
players and what they want.
RAZIK: Yes, I understand how they are trying to
protect the organization. However, still does not make it
o.k to stop players from earning their living.
JOHNSTONE: So far I do not believe they have given an
adequate reason for their imposed ban.
GORDON: I understand that they are trying to protect
the brand but I feel it is very unfair to target one
specific type of tournament when we as players never signed
exclusivity agreements with psa. If psa was to apply this
ban to all leagues and other local events that would
dramatically change the conversation.
BASSETT: Absolutely. The PSA needs to protect its
product. However, I'm not sure a ban that restricts players
is the best way to do it. If there are sponsors in the U.S.
who would rather support a PST tournament over a PSA
tournament, the PSA needs to question how well it’s
representing squash in the U.S.
MARKS: I understand how they thought it might help
them, but I really believe it is shortsighted. If they were
thinking about the long term effects on the game I don't
think they would have done it, because the PST is helping
grow the game of squash. The PSA still runs the major world
events. Most people watching pro squash will watch those
events and if squash can gain a sizable following, then the
PSA will be able to start selling tv rights to their
tournaments, attract new sponsorships and pay their players
more. These are all things that would be GREAT for the game
of squash. I'm not sure how they overlooked some of these
things.
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3) Apart from PSA tournaments, what
other events do you play in? |
PALMER: Any exhibitions,
leagues that do not clash with PSA events
EL HINDI: Any events I can play that do not clash
with my Super Series events.
RAZIK: Exhibitions and PST. In N.America we do not
have leagues. We play the odd exhibition or invitational
event. The PST provides us with events to play on regular
basis.
JOHNSTONE: The odd exhibition and recently the PST
events. Unfortunately there are no leagues in the USA
currently.
GORDON: world teams, pan-ams, and several local u.s.
tournaments. unfortunately we don't have any professional
league structure here in the u.s. so as a u.s. based pro we
don't have that outlet.
BASSETT: I play ISDA hardball doubles tournaments,
the U.S. National Championships, the Hyder Trophy,
exhibition matches and any event that will improve my game,
or support my career.
MARKS: An occasional ISDA, an occasional US Squash
local tournament, the US Team trials, and US nationals.
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4) Would you be prepared to defy
the ban and play in PST events anyway? |
PALMER: At the moment
no. Hopefully the PSA and PST can solve the problem and
think about the sport, so the players do not have to choose.
EL HINDI: I hope it works out so we can play both
events as that was the time that I felt the sport was
growing world-wide. So i hope nothing comes to stop the
growth or push backwards.
RAZIK: I am deeply hoping that matters will not
escalate that far.
JOHNSTONE: Hopefully the ban will be lifted soon, but
if not, it's something I will have to think about at a later
date, when the choice if needed, has to be made.
GORDON: Right now the situation is still developing
so we'll have to see how it develops.
BASSETT: I hope a fair and amicable solution makes it
unnecessary for me to face that decision.
MARKS: For me, I am in a unique situation in which I
believe that I basically have no choice but to defy the ban.
I am the head coach at St. Lukes School, where the PST Tour
is hosting an event in November. The event is a great
promotional tool for the varsity teams, the school, and for
the community to see my abilities. To decide not to play in
this event would be foolish just because the PSA is
threatening to ban me from their tour. I see it being more
important to grow the St. Lukes program than to maintain my
status in an organization that is handcuffing me. I don't
want to be banned, and it will certainly sadden me if I lose
my world ranking, but I will be defying the ban by playing
this event.
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5) What do you think is the best
solution to this? |
PALMER: I hope PSA lifts
the Ban and players can choose what events they want to
play.
EL HINDI: I think they should let the players decide
what they want to play, as long as it doesn't clash with the
Super Series events.
RAZIK: Both parties and players come to table and
work out a solution where everyone is comfortable. I believe
the PSA and PST can co-exist together.
Squash needs all the growth it can get. The PSA has done a
great job and always will. The PST can only be positive in
the big scheme of things. I really hope this issue is
resolved in the near future.
JOHNSTONE: The PSA should lift the ban.
GORDON: For psa to lift the ban. In an ideal world I
would love to see the two organizations work more closely as
I think that the pst could help psa in grooming new u.s.
markets.
BASSETT: Fresh ideas are good for the sport; pricey
legal battles are not. I hope the two sides will be able to
come to an agreement outside the courtroom that will benefit
the sport and not hurt players. The more pro squash is
played in the U.S., the better.
MARKS: To lift the ban! It is not fair to the
players, it is shortsighted, and it will affect me directly.
Players are not happy. A petition has been started, and
there is more resistance yet to come...
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