American Disc Golf Tour

[cjdiscgolf]

So let's update everyone on where we are based on what is posted.

1. Salient is behind this. No one really trusts them.
2. The owner of salient is a cheater as outed by Dana on the podcast.
3. They decided the best time host this event is directly between a National Tour in the midwest and a NT in California.
4. They have made up their own rules and own pars for the event.

Solid start.

 

[bradharris]

https://allthingsdiscgolf.com/american-disc-golf-tour-sets-espn-broadcast-for-may-2016/

I love that he says they're claiming the audience will be in the millions simply because that's the only way to get sponsors. Which means he's either blatantly lying to sponsors, or one of the most disillusioned people ever. Given his history, both are very possible.

 

[Pbmercil]

From the all things disc golf article:

"Exactly. Disc golf is still in its infancy and believing that approaching outside sponsors with 'thousands' won't even get you in the door."

Doesn't grossly overstating your potential reach get you immediately kicked out the door your dishonesty just got you in?

 

[Jenga54]

When i went to apply for pro membership it sent me to paypal. I didnt go any further then that.

same here

 

[Jay Dub]

I don't know if this has been posted here yet, I just saw it on FB.

https://allthingsdiscgolf.com/american-disc-golf-tour-sets-espn-broadcast-for-may-2016/

With Discmania's Jussi Meresmaa behind the DGWT and Vibram's Steve Dodge running the DGPT, the ADGT is being ran by Chris Kilgus, one of the co-owners of Salient Discs. Kilgus tells us he's been working with ESPN since 2014 to make this happen and contracts were signed just a few months ago.

 

[Jenga54]

Could someone please update the Wikipedia page to reflect the milestone we've accomplished here?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN3

Pretty excited to be streamed on an entirely new online only platform, the likes of which carries the prestigious Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

 

[JohtoVillage]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the name of the event yet. Calling it the "American Open" is surprising. In my opinion, we have one National Championship and no event should even try to get close to using similar language.

 

[OB Four]

Well.. at least it's not a complete scam?

That said, I can't see this turning into anything but a huge disappointment. Unless there's some sort of commitment from some of the top pros, I doubt it gets the viewership it's supposedly projecting. My guess is that Kilgus thinks that the draw of being on ESPN is enough to secure some names, but I think the names should've been secured beforehand - as Jussi did with DGWT. I'm intrigued but have my doubts about how well this is gonna go.

 

[hellbound]

I kind of what to go to the event this summer and watch what unfolds. Its going to be a circus with the players running around confused. The whole we have different standards is going to open a whole new bag of worms when it come to a tourney. Now I can tell everyone that there disc is not legal its not ANT certified. LOL

 

[TimSyl]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the name of the event yet. Calling it the "American Open" is surprising. In my opinion, we have one National Championship and no event should even try to get close to using similar language.

As you know, it's his gig so he can call it what he wants to call it. We have the USDGC, no confusion in the name I can see (other than American could mean someone from Argentina or Bolivia or somewhere else in South AMERICA, not just the United States).

I don't have any experience with Salient, but I say try to be supportive and not be so negative before it even happens. Maybe it'll fail? I don't know. But all "y'all" who want to "grow the sport", should be somewhat pleased it's going to be on ESPN.

Nate, plenty of people were negative prior to and after your event, but that didn't stop you, correct?

 

[Consult20]

Well now he is saying it will be live on ESPN 3/ESPN U -- ESPN U is channel 208 on DirecTV which is a channel I get, that would be MUCH better than just the ESPN 3 streaming option. Hopefully this can get clarified/confirmed soon, as ESPN U would make it easily viewable to the masses.

 

[scarpfish]

But all "y'all" who want to "grow the sport", should be somewhat pleased it's going to be on ESPN.

If it actually is going to be there. And if is a big concern with this outfit.

 

[JNichols]

As you know, it's his gig so he can call it what he wants to call it. We have the USDGC, no confusion in the name I can see (other than American could mean someone from Argentina or Bolivia or somewhere else in South AMERICA, not just the United States).

I don't have any experience with Salient, but I say try to be supportive and not be so negative before it even happens. Maybe it'll fail? I don't know. But all "y'all" who want to "grow the sport", should be somewhat pleased it's going to be on ESPN.

Nate, plenty of people were negative prior to and after your event, but that didn't stop you, correct?

I think most people that want to "grow the sport" genuinely want to see that happen. I think the negativity is coming from the fact that that persons/company that are now trying to be the face of growing the sport on a nationally televised network have a worse track record in customer service than Comcast, and are basically the most negatively viewed persons/company in Disc Golf. That recipe, to me, translates into warranted worry over what kind of exposure disc golf gets in their "revolutionary" new platform for growing the sport.

 

[onemilemore]

Didn't realize there were two threads on this. I don't think I have merge powers outside the Equipment forum, sorry. This thread is far more entertaining though.

I thought Kilgus pretty much just spewed a lot of non-information in that article while relying on some kind of NDA.

Aside from the fees associated with being a member and the Salient overstock items associated, I'm actually most concerned about the venue. With it being on a ball golf course, I feel like we're going to get a Memorial-style hyzerfest. Meh.

As to JNichols' quote:

I think most people that want to "grow the sport" genuinely want to see that happen. I think the negativity is coming from the fact that that persons/company that are now trying to be the face of growing the sport on a nationally televised network have a worse track record in customer service than Comcast, and are basically the most negatively viewed persons/company in Disc Golf. That recipe, to me, translates into warranted worry over what kind of exposure disc golf gets in their "revolutionary" new platform for growing the sport.

I think we need to pump the brakes on this idea that somehow Salient is going to ruin the growth of disc golf by having it on ESPN THREE. It's ESPN THREE, which is still just online streaming. Plus, it's on a Saturday afternoon in May, when people will be out doing things other than surfing ESPN 3 for their content.

Could the event be a total flop? Of course. But this notion that a flop will set disc golf back is relying too heavily on it being on ESPN. Remember, it's not ESPN proper here. It's still just online.

 

[Consult20]

Didn't realize there were two threads on this. I don't think I have merge powers outside the Equipment forum, sorry. This thread is far more entertaining though.

I thought Kilgus pretty much just spewed a lot of non-information in that article while relying on some kind of NDA.

Aside from the fees associated with being a member and the Salient overstock items associated, I'm actually most concerned about the venue. With it being on a ball golf course, I feel like we're going to get a Memorial-style hyzerfest. Meh.

HYZERFEST 2016! I like that name better.

 

[PWaggoner]

Before this tour ive never said a bad word about salient. I read the threads, seen the reviews. Enough for me not to buy from them. Didnt effect me though.

Salient using this tour as a front to move **** merchandise could literally ruin alot of other peoples hard work. Make a joke out of the other two tours.

I have zero faith in this. Salient didnt attempt to contact any pros because they didnt want it leaked?

Salient basically called disc golf pros loose mouthed, pros cant be trusted. While attempting to make a video of top pros to put on espn.

So salient lied to espn about viewers, they dont have the cash, they dont have the pros.

when somebody says "trust me i got this" its best not to be in the vehicle with them.

 

[steinkecm]

I'm skeptical that building all of these "new tours!" is going to do that much for the sport, unless they're built correctly.

Starting a tour that has different rules the the governing body of the sport is like arena football. There might be a few players good enough to move from one to the other, but all of the good players are going to go play in the real league first.

ESPN3 isn't super legit--it's nice, but they get broadcasters who can't even properly call a football game. I can't imagine who they're going to get to do this.

"Oo. He's under a tree. He's going to throw something. Oo. Yup. He threw it right at the other trees."

I think the DGWT has been "in the works" and under wraps for awhile. I'm sure Paul and Simon knew about it and didn't leak it.

I'm sure that Kilgus is reading all of this though and fuming in his house calling us all idiots. Kilgus, if you're out there, I will never forget the Catalyst World Tour and the joy it brought us.

 

[discRabbit]

BOW DOWN TO YOUR CORPORATE SPONSOR OVERLORDS!!!!
Submit to all demands to GROW THE SPORT!!!

 

[Consult20]

From the interview:

Will the broadcast be live or taped? What about the platform… will it be live on ESPN2 or ESPN3 (streaming only)?

"The broadcast will be 2 hours of live action on May 15, 2016. ESPN 3/ESPN U will carry the event as well as any Watch ESPN apps. ESPN 2 may be used for re-broadcast."

 

[onemilemore]

^^Exactly. Only thing to get up in arms about is the ESPN label. But in essence this is the same as any live-streaming done on smashboxx et al.