As the slots hopefully get in at Dania, I think this is a good
example of a time when the jai-alai players could use IJAPA being
visible and vocal. Like many fans, one concern of mine about the
slots is: What will prevent the fronton from doing away with live
jai-alai completely and just having slots, simulcast and poker?
I would like to see some restrictions in place that would prevent
another Newport scenario. This is where I think IJAPA could be
out there as the voice of the jai-alai players. What could they
do?
1) Lobby for a rule that the slots can only be active on days
with live jai-alai....like poker. If managemnt knew they NEEDED
live jai-alai to be around to run the slots they would have a
vested interest in promoting and developing the game. If you leave
this out then down the road they inevitably look at the small
crowd and the big cancha and envision how many slots would fit
on that 180 foot court.
2) Be involved in how the slot revenue is used to promote jai-alai
and benefit jai-alai players. Who is the voice of the pelotaris
now as the millions of slot profits are about to be produced and
allocated?
3) One use should be that the fronton is required to put a certain
percentage of slot revenue towards their primary business of jai-alai.
The natural example would be developing schools and amateur programs.
If the frontons knew they needed jai-alai to stay alive for slots
then they'd have a vested interest in developing new players.
I think it makes sense to develop schools in the U.S., Basque
country and Mexico.
4) Use slot revenue to fund some sort of retirement program for
the players where they get a pension for years played at the fronton.
5) By developing schools you also provide future employment opportunities
for the retiring pros. They could staff the schools as not only
instructors but cesteros and ballmakers. If you had schools here,
Mexico and overseas this would also give players the option to
retire here or return to their home country.
As all this goes down I think it is now more important than ever
that the jai-alai players have a voice representing them and making
sure jai-alai and the players get their fair share of the inevitable
slots profits. With all the money generated, why can't the players
have some security for a change - rather than living in fear of
a Newport scenario where they all lose their livelihood. The question
is: is IJAPA there, are they doing anything, are they up to the
task? I've read all the slots articles and have yet to see a mention
of IJAPA. If I were a pelotari and all this went through with
no IJAPA involvement I think I'd have to ask myself...."What
exactly are my dues paying for?"
