The PST’s Joe McManus Responds To Yesterday’s PSA Statement
January 7, 2011
Yesterday's edition of the Daily Squash Report posted a piece by Richard Bramall, Legal Counsel to the U.K.- based Professional Squash Association (PSA), discussing PSA's finances and the existing ban directed at the Pro Squash Tour (PST). Daily Squash Report offered me the opportunity to respond.
1) Re: PSA's Finances
With the obvious exception of PSA's ban which impacts PST, we have no
comment about PSA's internal affairs or the U.K. auditor's concern for their
ability to continue as a going concern.
2) Re: The ban
Richard Bramall references an on-going dispute. It should be noted that the
PST has no dispute with anyone. PST manages professional squash tournaments
and is the world's only tour that allows anyone to compete. Our mantra
remains "Let the best athlete win."
In October 2010, the U.K.-based PSA banned its members from competing in PST tournaments. As I have noted in earlier statements, the ban served only to
hurt the PSA and its members. PST is halfway through its second season and
will run more tournaments in more U.S. cities than any other tour. Prior to
the ban, PSA members were able to earn extra income playing PST tournaments,
and younger PSA players received valuable match experience by playing the
world's best in our tournaments.
In December 2011, the PSA doubled down and announced another ban by
proclaiming no one associated with the PST is to compete in PSA events, even
as local qualifiers or wild cards.
PSA's U.S. Open has a three year agreement to be hosted at Drexel University
in Philadelphia where former PSA #1 John White is the squash coach. This new
ban prevents White from competing as a local wildcard because of his
relation with PST. The only people who are hurt are squash fans who would
want to watch White, one of the greatest showmen in the history of sport. As
a result, PSA's own event has a little less appeal.
PST remains focused on entertaining our fans, and our growth is a direct
result of that focus. Each month, more and more world class players are
choosing PST.
The PSA should lift their bans because it is the right thing to do for the
game and for their membership. But the decision is theirs and theirs alone.
Joe McManus
Commissioner and CEO
Pro Squash Tour
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