Question For Fornatale on ATR
 

Steve, next time you have Forntale would it be possible to ask him what is up with NHC Qualify or DRF Tournaments not having NHC Qualifiers? Do they plan to? Right now it seems only HT.com has them, DW may, but not as many. Just odd when they want to grow the NHC that they haven't even used the platform that usually gave the most qualifiers each year...

Or maybe you already know the answer? It could have been asked at some point, I need to catch up on some podcasts.

I personally much prefer HT.com, but I was just curious what the deal was..

Ken.

I can answer a bit. Word was in Vegas that they weren't renewing all elements of the long-running sponsorship deal. Seems things are still undefined for '17. Will bring it up with Pete but not sure how much he can say.

Do you mean the DRF sponsoring the NHC?

My understanding is that DRF is out of the NHC completely. Their "sponsorship" never really amounted to anything as they never contributed to the prize pool. Horsetourneys will be the main on-line source now.

Not sure what led to the breakup. DRF made lots of money holding qualifiers and will not make nearly the same offering HPWS spots instead. NTRA will lose the spotlight that Pete and DRF brought to it. Seems that both sides lose in this deal.

Paul

Financial elements aside, Crist/DRF's contribution to the founding of the event, the publicity provided by DRF during its' growth and the Handicapper of the Year Eclipse to the winner feels like amounting to something to me. Also, ATR featuring Pete, NHC, tour/players/winners the last few years is only a result of DRF, but maybe that's been an insignificant contribution. Not to mention ATR broadcasting the event live for 20+ hours the last 3 years.

Yes.. Everybody loses.

Let's not forget about the BCBC online qualifiers as those seem to have disappeared completely as well now from the online realm, which I think is more of a loss.

I've tried to reach out a few times to see where these will turn up, hopefully a resolution will come soon for that too

Does this mean ATR would NOT cover the event any longer?

Well, it definitely has grown up. They moved the weekend by 2 weeks. Interesting.

Not at all. In fact focus would nearly double to an extent as I'll provide coverage of both NTRA and DRF event arcs.

My presenting Pete weekly has been courtesy of my own programming decision. Other than the NTRA providing hotel accommodations in Vegas, I take no compensation from any NHC-related entity for the airtime.

Oh good, I figured but wasn't sure. After re-reading it you were just listing the promotions they were getting.

Looks like the 2018 tourney will get the big TI Ballroom. That will be nice.

Looks like other options will be available for us.


http://www.drf.com/tour

yessir...always a back-up plan ;)

We will see when the details emerge. I am a huge live money contest guy. But, where exactly is the prize money supposed to come from here? Plus, the DRF track record with contests hardly inspires confidence.

Time will tell.

Paul

I think I remember seeing that some time ago and signing up to be notified, but didn't really think much of it. Makes a ton more sense now as to why they were discussing a tour.

Guess we will see what happens but agree, where does the "millions" come from?

new site

www.horseplayers.com

If you have an account on HorseTourneys then you do not have to register...you can use your logon creds from HT, same account from what I can tell.

Ya looks like just a makeover. Login still works

there are different contests, feeders, etc. BCBC shows up and then the NHC feeders are similar but separate contests :zz:

Nice. Of all the tourney sites that are, and have come and gone, I think HT is the best. Just so user friendly and easy to navigate. Glad for them.