Vince - if Mindspin and CQ had willingly accepted your offer - I could see being upset.
They passed on small sponsors and accepted one large sponsor. It guarantees that everyone in the show gets their money, and a lot more of it. Last year, we had a real problem with some sponsors who didn't pay up as promised. I wouldn't burn them, as it's just not good business sense, but some of them did not pay up. We spent many hours chasing down prize money, having boxes and checks mailed to 6 different addresses. It was a very messy process.
This time, Mindspin went in the direction of one sponsor, 5 large checks, and that is it. As far as acutal cash, last year we had about 1000, I believe. The rest was product credit, which is hard to collect and spend.
The competitors will appreciate checks of $2000, or $1200, or $1000, or whatever, far more than chasing down companies for the next 12 months. For them, it's a win.
And again, I could see being upset, if Mindspin and CQ had said to you "We accept your sponsorship, Vince " but it was not the case. If they had promised you the right to be a sponsor, I could see being pissed. To me it just seems like MS decided to go with one big sponsor - and a big check for the winner - instead of multiples. This was his choice. Perhaps Mr GetBig 3 will be different, I do not know. I was not involved in the decision making of Mr GB2.
240, if I had known early on in May that there would have been an exclusive sponsor, then I would not have wasted any time promoting the event
However, there was no notification because obviously the deal wasn't secure at the time and we were basically used as a back-up plan if it didn't work out with this exclusive sponsor which is why Mindspin was not upfront about this matter because he was afraid that if this sponsor didn't agree, there would be no prize money whatsoever.
Its two weeks before the event and then we learn about an exclusive sponsor.
Fact is, there was no respect shown to those who sponsored it last year and was going to sponsor it this year.
In addition, if a company doesn't go through with prizes then it should be posted as to which companies. Speaking on which,
I find it completely fucked up that I was accused by CQ and Mindspin of not giving out the prizes from last year which is completely a bunch of bullshit. I issued all prizes including the first place prize of 100 dollars in supplements. Daddywaddy has sent no address over but he can still claim his bottle of Bee Pollen Tablets anytime.
Even you 240 knows I issued the prizes and Phoun got his stuff despite withholding information that he was an WNBF pro bodybuilder.
So, CQ and Mindspin. Stop trying to put this shit on me and lying about me not issuing out the prizes from last year because that's bullshit and also lying about me pulling out of the event prior to the news. Once I received notice of that, I sent back an PM and the time/date stamp confirms it.
Fact is there was no mention whatsoever of an exclusive sponsor until a few days before the show....end of story. And even though my prizes were not 5000, at least I took a chance on this Mr Getbig to even come to light. You can't build houses without foundations.
Now I have better things to do such as promote the Guns Vs Goodrum event at the Mr Olympia which will be live on webcast. There will be a press conference and then this great event will take place on Saturday.