Go to www.nationalpololeague.com and you will be startled by the opening four notes of Monday Night Football.
You will be told that the National Polo League is identical to the structure of the NFL (National Football League), but you won’t be told that there are no stadiums to house each of the seven “franchises” listed. You won’t be told that there is no television contract that pours millions of dollars into the community coffers of the league and you won’t be told the names of the “owners of professional sporting franchises between the NFL and the NHL”.
You will be erroneously told that the NPL is the first for profit professional sports organization in the world for polo” and you will be expected to believe this with the nonchalance of a Madoff investor plunking down five million dollars.
You will be told that “seven major cities have been unveiled” (not quite sure what that is supposed to mean), “working in partnership with Economic Development Authorities” (I know that I don’t understand what they are trying to convince me of here) “and business men and women seeking to either sponsor, purchase or co-own a franchise in the NPL”.
Does anyone remember the ill-fated NAPL? The investors are still trying to find out where their money went.
They tell you that it is going to be identical to the structure of the NFL yet offer it (NPL) as “the governing council for pro-am polo”. Just what we need, another self-appointed authority on polo. They don’t seem to offer any credentials of the organizers or rosters of the teams (Washington D. C. Patriots, New York Empires, Miami Sharks, Chicago Wind, Dallas Spurs, Los Angeles Stars and the San Francisco Shakers).
They tout the buildup to the “Superbowl of the Polo Games” as being held in May of each year, yet for the 2009 calendar year, May 9 is the first of four games scheduled (followed by one game in June, one game in September and one game in October).
The tell you that it will attract a television viewership of 5 million people and attract 20,000 spectators!
They are recruiting players with a US handicap of 1 or greater” which should give you some idea of the caliber of play and definitely eliminates the prospects of being “identical to the structure of the NFL”.
The “Commissioner of the NPL” is mentioned-but not by name, hmm, could it be Bernie Madoff?
The opening page also states that part of their “mission is to bring the sport of polo back to the Olympics”, like the NFL is, I guess.
You’re going to have to read the rest of it yourself, I’m beginning to gag.
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! How gullible do you think the polo community is? You waltz in with no credentials and one of the flimsiest of plans and expect people to line up to buy into this crap? Give me a break.
I fear that you might find the same person at the bottom of the NPL as you do for the “historic” America’s Polo Cup-Tareq Salahi. A self-created bit of window dressing that has been created to make you believe that there is something “official” about it.
(This is where Roger Stern is introduced as the National Polo League & Sports Commissioner)
20 Comments
th000000312pm09, 42009vUTC03bUTCThu, 12 Mar 2009 17:03:18 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Wow backhander — I think you woke up on the wrong side of the bed today my man. On this one I have to disagree with you. This NPL looks like a very cool thing and I was at the americas cup of polo last two years – it was fantastic to see such large crowds finally attending polo. Its all good for the sport.
Have to disagree with you… I would rather see it this way, than the f***ed up USPA.
th000000313am09, 52009vUTC03bUTCFri, 13 Mar 2009 00:53:53 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
PLEASE! You can’t be naive enough to believe some of the lies that are being peddled. There is no disclosuere anywhere as to who is involved in this. I really can’t go on if you don’t look into the validity of some of the statements made yourself. Do your homework, then come back.
th000000313pm09, 52009vUTC03bUTCFri, 13 Mar 2009 20:41:42 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
How would “Tye O’Connor” know anything about the USPA? He’s not a member. Seems like a dodgy strawman for the America’s Cup of Polo connivance. It’s so obvious who is running the NPL–Tareq Salehi. Obama talks about transparency, well no need to ask for it here, it only takes a brain as small as the strawman’s from the Wizard of Oz. The NPL is a fraud being perpetrated to created the semblance of an “authentic” organizational structure around a contrived polo vehicle to enrich certain individuals (see above). All roads to NP, APC, and the Journey for the Cure lead to one man…
th000000314am09, 62009vUTC03bUTCSat, 14 Mar 2009 07:54:08 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Tye O’Connor,
Anyone with enough money to buy a domain and server space, could put together a polo league that is more creditable and transparent than this league!!
Bored in one of my sport marketing classes in college I put together a polo league that had more structure than this!!
th000000320pm09, 52009vUTC03bUTCFri, 20 Mar 2009 20:12:30 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Dear Backhander,
It was interesting to me that, in another article, you referred to George Alexander as “the most negative person in polo.” If true, then you would absolutely have to be number 2.
What is the problem with the NAPL? They stretch the truth in their promotions. So!! What is the matter with the Tareq-America’s Cup? It is an event of great spectacle and a spectacular event. It is a Cecil B. Demille production of great grandeur with Superman flying overhead and Moses parting the Red Sea. The money raised for medical research is something admirable, not something to get all huffy about.
High goal polo is the only sport based on the concept that, if you have enough money, then you can actually play on the highest level possible. The dedication of these padronnes to polo is incredible and provides us, the zero goalers, with wonderful games to watch. We should appreciate this and thank the sponsors who provide it. Why does it matter if these generous people want to try to form a professional league-even one that may be flawed?
There are 2 problems with polo as a spectator sport. One is that a large portion of the spectators attend for social reasons and the sport is secondary. The other is the concept of a fan base. People in Philadelphia are Eagle fans. People in Chicago argue vehemently about the White Sox or the Cubbies but stand tall behind Da Bears. Except for a very small group, this does not exist at the Sunday game at IPC. Those watching cheer great plays and enjoy an exciting game but most are simply not invested in the outcome.
Let us think half full.
T. Hoy Booker
st000000321am09, 62009vUTC03bUTCSat, 21 Mar 2009 07:38:33 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
I suggest you look into the purported financial failings of the event and the reported list of unpaid venders. I have no problems with low goal polo, Newport has made a success of its international series, I just don’t like the idea of someone misleading the public with a ruse such as this.
th000000409pm09, 42009vUTC04bUTCThu, 09 Apr 2009 16:27:46 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
Did you ever consider that it might have something to do with the fact that polo teams change radically from year to year? It’s difficult to cheer for your favorite team when the cast continues to change.
nd000000322am09, 72009vUTC03bUTCSun, 22 Mar 2009 01:51:53 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Toy Hooker or what ever your name is….the NAPL was a complete flop. If you were one of those that had gotten fleeced to the tune of $200k I think you would know why it matters. I think Backhander is just trying to wave a red flag for the unsuspecting. We should applaud him or her for being the eyes and ears of the low goal world who don’t really seem to care as long as they get to play their favorite appy on the weekends during the summer. The real future of polo is much bigger than that.
th000000325pm09, 32009vUTC03bUTCWed, 25 Mar 2009 18:18:08 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Here are actual excerpts from PR releases and blurbs on the Net (Polo Contacts). No need for me to say much, let us all stand in awe of the mighty…
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Land Rover America’s Polo Cup, the world’s largest and most prestigious polo experience,
The Land Rover America’s Polo Cup, is the world’s most prestigious and largest International televised charity “grass” polo sporting event
explains Tareq Salahi. “Hosting the Australian Polo Team will undisputedly showcase the most exciting International Polo this country has ever seen. I encourage everyone to come support this charitable day — we have something for the entire family to enjoy.”
The America’s Polo Cup continues this historic tradition by being patroned by each President of the United States and was founded on the historic 400th
Patroned by the President of the United State of America, we call on you to support the patriots and veterans that have protected your lifestyle.
The America’s Polo Cup restores honor and pride in this historic sport going back to the roots of Polo in America.
Honor, Tradition and Dedication…A life of courage awaits you at something greater that has never happened in the sport of Polo until the America’s Polo Cup.
———————————————–
NOTE: the following link (http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=1513381) that clarifies that the “charity” recipient of funds for the APC is the Journey for the Cure Foundation. Two big points: The officer of the foundation is none other than Tareq Salehi and the annual income of the foundation is remarkably low for a group that allegedly receives so much largess from the APC and allegedly does so much good for those in need. I wonder whose needs are being taken care of if it’s not the kids with MS. Where does that money go? Transparency Backhander, please ask those involved to show us.
th000000327am09, 52009vUTC03bUTCFri, 27 Mar 2009 06:18:48 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
I guess the recent Westchester Cup and Camacho Cup just didn’t measure up. What is the handicap level of this historic event? What television network will be covering it? Quick, grab your wallet it’s Tareq.
th000000327pm09, 52009vUTC03bUTCFri, 27 Mar 2009 21:11:22 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Dear Broken Mallet,
I wish to comment not on the NAPL-flop or not-nor upon Americas Cup per se. My comments are as follows.
1. My name is Thomas Hoy Booker, go by T. Hoy Booker, and have been called Hoy all my life. It is not a difficult name-only 3 letters-and I cannot understand why you would bastardize my name as “Toy Hooker.” It’s not even clever nor funny. As humor or sarcasm, it is a very elementary attempt. Also, perhaps you noticed that I actually use my real name unlike yourself unless you are of the family “mallet.”
2. I did not lose a $200,000 investment in the NAPL. Anyone with 200 large to lose on an investment of high risk probably still has quite nickels to rub together. The high goal padronnes of polo spend this level of money and more in order to play high goal. In terms relative to high goal polo, this is not a lot of money.
3. The world of polo has too many people who do not pay their bills. A player right now owes our club $1000. Those who do not pay their bills should be outed and embarrassed.
th000000327pm09, 52009vUTC03bUTCFri, 27 Mar 2009 22:40:12 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Wow, I can’t seem to get past the shock of these remarkable claims. Looks at the statements on the site (http://www.polocontacts.com/profile/DavidMortz) of the promoter who admittedly works for Tareq, but c’mon, is there no shame?
The America’s Polo Cup is a congressional charged organization and a co-operative effort between the United States Government and other nations to challenge each other in the oldest known sport to Man Kind.
(Oh really, “The America’s Polo Cup is a congressional charged…” l’d be quite interested in the Congressional authorization for this statement.)
The President of the United States is the annual patron of the America’s Cup dating as far back to1923, when President Harding first graced the Polo Matches on the Washington DC National Mall.
(Once again hyperbole reigns. Since the event (APC) was started only three years ago it boggles the mind as to how this could be linked in any way whatsoever to 1923.)
The America’s Polo Cup works in cooperation with the Diplomatic Corps, US Congress, US Senate, the United Nations, the Capitol Region and US Top Corporate & Government Relation Partners all supporting the Patriotic America’s Polo Cup for the Journey for the Cure Public Charity.
(Oh really, can we see the official correspondence from all of these elected/appointed officials? Let’s wrap it in a flag and anyone who refuses to get on board with this calliope of fictions will be labeled as unpatriotic. It’s easy to find examples in world history where that approach was used, but so few of us seem to take the time to understand history or more simply, to read and check facts.
We can be sure of one thing, and this is certain, the Journey for the Cure Foundation will receive a check. Let’s see now, at the end of the event Tareq will ceremonially raise a big cardboard check replica endorsed to the Journey for the Cure Foundation. How convenient that he is also the officer of the JFTCF and the address of the organization just happens to be Tareq’s (former) home in Hume, VA. Convenient indeed.)
Consider a thought…
Success is the important thing. Propaganda is not a matter for average minds, but rather a matter for practitioners. It is not supposed to be lovely or theoretically correct. I do not care if I give wonderful, aesthetically elegant speeches, or speak so that women cry. The point of a political speech is to persuade people of what we think right. We do not want to be a movement of a few straw brains, but rather a movement that can conquer the broad masses. Propaganda should be popular, not intellectually pleasing. It is not the task of propaganda to discover intellectual truths.
Joseph Goebbels
th000000329am09, 72009vUTC03bUTCSun, 29 Mar 2009 03:02:36 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
How come everyone is attacking the NPL and giving propolo.com a pass. Is it because propolo has a video? For over a year now we’ve all been waiting for their “big announcement” and been told to “stay tuned”. A full schedule was supposed to have already been announced. I know of no one or no club that has been approached. Also, for the record, I am not associated with the NPL in anyway. I’ve just been following your blog and just thought I’d throw my two cents just to keep it fair. My apologies to Broken Mallet, I just saw your name for the first time and didn’t mean to copy you!
rd000000403am09, 52009vUTC04bUTCFri, 03 Apr 2009 04:49:49 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
Backhander: what happened to my last submission? Are you selectively publishing or is this a fair trade news organization? I provided you with some serious scoop on the phoney Journey for the Cure scam. But maybe you are being cautious after that somewhat veiled threat of a lawsuit by Northfork polo. Hey, these things I bring forth are simply facts. Facts stand on their own merits.
PS my new email is bob.roberts.polo@gmail.com. delete the old one.
rd000000403am09, 52009vUTC04bUTCFri, 03 Apr 2009 05:31:16 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
Dear Backhander,
Came across your site as I was attempting to get some contact information for Roger Stern. I was at last year’s event and have been told my issue would be resolved in the spring. I figured I’d see if you had any advice as to how to locate him. Thank you for any help you may provide.
Rosann
th000000409pm09, 42009vUTC04bUTCThu, 09 Apr 2009 16:23:03 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
I have been told that there are a number of people trying to contact Roger Stern to “resolve issues”, yet he remains unreachable. I wish I could help. Try the authorities.
th000000413pm09, 12009vUTC04bUTCMon, 13 Apr 2009 23:59:37 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
YES
T. Hoy Booker
th000000430am09, 42009vUTC04bUTCThu, 30 Apr 2009 04:50:15 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
I can’t help it, it’s like being drawn to the curb to watch a car wreck. It’s just too ridiculous. Consider this exact pull quote from their webpage. Note: All the typos and difficulties with understanding the appropriate use of capitalization and proper English grammar are real and as posted on their website. I said it before and I’ll say it again. Is there no shame? And to think that the USPA actually condones this behavior–they include a banner ad for the “event” on the USPA site and have included print ads in Polo Players Edition for the past several months. What kind of discussions are being conducted by Rizzo and Biddle about this “remarkable event?”
“On May 8 & 9, 2009, AUSTRALIA is competiting against the United States for The Historic America’s Polo Cup World Championship – The Worlds Largest & most Prestigous Polo Experience celebrating Americas Freedom!”
th000000430pm09, 42009vUTC04bUTCThu, 30 Apr 2009 19:57:33 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
This is a response to Mr. Bob Robert’s comments about Tareq Salahi and America’s Cup and, specifically, his quoting Joseph Goebbels.
I have a theorem concerning this type of quote.
Theorem: Whenever a person in a discussion/argument makes a comparison between a modern event and Hitler in his many forms, the comparison is not even close to being true.
Corollary: For the above hypothesis, the aforesaid person is losing the argument.
T. Hoy Booker
th000000509am09, 62009vUTC05bUTCSat, 09 May 2009 08:56:46 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p05
I understand your logic, but am a bit more forgiving when the aforementioned find it necessary to take such liberties with the truth.