-
NCNCA Racing- October 30 – Surf City Cyclocross #1, Aptos High
- October 29 – Sagebrush Cyclocross Series
- October 23, Sacramento CX, Condon Park
- October 23 – Pilarcitos Bay Area Super Prestige Cyclocross #1, Candlestick Park
Sportsbaseonline.com Implosion
Looks like the SBO implosion is official and will impact several promoters in the NorCal area. When asked how this would impact the NCNCA President Bill Nicely responded quickly…
“Minimal [impact] directly (prize money for Premier Series). The NCNCA will cover prizes for the Premier Series. We are looking to help promoters affected by forgiving fees, getting USAC to forgive fees, and considering loans. This affected all races from Giro forward on SBO. About 65k in reg fees as a loss in total. The BOD is deeply saddened by this loss and we are grateful to USAC for their participation in lessening the burden to our affected promoters.”
As a result the dissolution of Sportsbaseonline.com will impact several of NorCal’s most prolific promoters like Velopromo and ProjectSport who put on several late season races using Sportsbaseonline.com registration systems. Overall it is horrible news, and likely a major set back, for the promotion teams that had any revenue tied up with SBO. In theory SBO’s contract pay out on 80% of registered users prior to the event, and then the following wednesday after but…as we all know, cyclists are last minute registrants, and in my experience nobody pays money on time if they don’t have too.
Our promoters are a vital piece of the racing ecosystem, and events like this do great damage to their ability to put on key events like Snelling Road Race, and the San Rafael Twilight Crit, which have become and important part of the NorCal racing calendar. Regardless of how you feel about the promoters events, ie. you hate your 5th place T Shirt from Santa Cruz Crit, this is a good time to drop your local promoter and note and let them know you appreciate their effort – otherwise, who could blame them for packing it in for a while.
UPDATE
This Just in from NCNCA President Bill Nicely who is keeping us posted through the comments section. We will keep the thread updated as news breaks. Plus I’ll post Hernandos Track Natz news in a bit in hopes that Velonews will pick that up too:)
“Since Velonews is quoting NCCN, I’ll break this news here. All outstanding amounts owed to promoters will be paid in the next 24-48 hours per direct information. I am thankful that this will be resolved. I am grateful to those who have offered assistance (USAC and NCNCA BOD).”
UPDATE 11:03 AM Nicely said in a phone call the info came straight from Dirk Crowley. It appears there are quite a few promoters with revenue coming down the pipe. With trust at a minimum it may be premature to celebrate but it appears #sob, or it’s management, will be trying to close this off civilly, or perhaps just quiet down the outrage.
October 4th, 2011 at
Folsom (three individual promoters) had the largest loss at 28k. All of these promoters collected money after their events so 100% of fees are gone.
October 4th, 2011 at
Maybe they could put on one last 2011 Fall century / gran fondo (using bikereg.com I guess!). Those appear to pull in the bucks and there could be enough interest amongst folks in lending a hand it might help. Perfect off-season ride, and hey, rest stops.
I mean, with no disrespect intended, when Velo Bob is replacing the Velo Van apparently once a decade or two its hard not to feel charitable
October 4th, 2011 at
Such a shame for the Folsom team! Their event was getting such positive feedback over the last few years…
October 4th, 2011 at
That is so weak! It is a criminal act what Sports Base Online has done. Dirk Cowley & SBO has robbed the promoters of their hard earned money. He should either make a effort to pay back this money or go to jail! How can he simply do a theft of money from the hard working promoters and walk away. Criminal charges should be filed. This is absurd. It seems all the nor-cal events after the Giro have been robbed. There is nothging minimal about that.
October 4th, 2011 at
The City of Folsom has insurance for this sort of situation. They are trying to pull in their co-promoters (I’m crossing my fingers for Folsom Bikes, Bicycles Plus, et al). Robert Goss, Folsom Parks and Recreation Director approached me at the event about moving up on the calendar next season.
October 4th, 2011 at
I have been told there are several promoters in Utah and Idaho that are out very large amounts of money (ranging from $7K to $20K). SBO collected online for their events and have not transferred the funds – further, SBO has sent an email out saying there are no funds or assets for anyone to make claims. Where is the money?
October 4th, 2011 at
We feel for SBO and have reached out to them to see how we can help. If you are a client and looking for a new reg company, check out RedPodium (based out of Sacramento) (http://redpodium.com).
An awesome thing about RedPodium is that we don’t hold your funds. They go instantly to YOU! This eliminates the fear of not getting paid.
RedPodium is offering free 6 months to SBO clients who want to make the switch.
Best wishes to all the promoters who are affected by this. We are here to help make any transition quick and seamless. You can email Ashley at to setup a free trial.
October 4th, 2011 at
Bill, Is it inferred that the Oakland Grand Prix Elite State Championship Crit is also being underminded for next year? Can it be moved to late August if that be the case? and is Velopromo not being paid out from SBO??
October 4th, 2011 at
Not sure why people have been using these guys for so long. I tried them about 5 years ago and found the data quality poor and their payment schedule slow. I have been using Bike Reg people ever since and find them much better on both aspects. I do feel for the promoters who lost on this. I know that doing events will not get anyone rich and is more about passion for the sport and giving athletes a chance to compete. Nor Cal, hang in there and come out swinging next year.
October 4th, 2011 at
Cycling is not the only sport affected by Dirk Cowley, Pro motorcyle hillclimbing has been hit as well. The North American Hillclimb Association (NAHA), the Nitro National Pro Hillclimb in Columbus, Montana, and the final annual series event in Boise, Idaho, the Big Nasty Hillclimb are all out $22,500 in entry fees. We also find this criminal and are seeking to justify charges against Dirk for theft and wire fraud. What is most interesting is his attempt to persuade people to wait for payment by using various excuses like “check is in the mail, bad address, wrong number on the wire transfer.” Amazing.
I feel your pain – especially after hearing he had a great time racing his bike in Europe during the month of August.
October 5th, 2011 at
Since Velonews is quoting NCCN, I’ll break this news here. All outstanding amounts owed to promoters will be paid in the next 24-48 hours per direct information. I am thankful that this will be resolved. I am grateful to those who have offered assistance (USAC and NCNCA BOD).
October 5th, 2011 at
If this affects the SF Giro onward, then Dirk served and took money from the SacGP and Folsom (and others?) knowing the situation that he was in, which definitely constitutes fraud. Wire fraud. Federal. His Facebook acct has been deleted as well. Is he trying to dodge, or fully disappear?
The company had zero overhead (hence zero assets?) so, what? He ammassed a huge season ending sum and is running to Panama? He was deep in debt elsewhere? Drugs? Gambling? A ponzi scheme paying the last race with the next race? There’s no above board answer that suffices. If some legit expense hit the company hard then you give a better explanation to your people and work through it.
October 5th, 2011 at
Bill N. – you got direct information that all outstanding amounts are going to be paid to promoters? as a promoter who has been chasing Dirk for several weeks and haven’t heard from him, I’m curious how you know this.
October 5th, 2011 at
WM,
Contact me directly.
October 5th, 2011 at
Bill – we’ve got promoters in Michigan who are also out several K’s and have been chasing SBO for weeks. Can you help us out?
October 5th, 2011 at
Bill, I ma also a promoter out $$ from a recent event. How can I contact you?
October 5th, 2011 at
I hope this is over and the people who should get their money, do get their money. I agree with Ronda Gibbons. Once in Idaho I met Ronda and a great guy named Ron Dillion, they hosted a event and it was hard work and dedication that made the event go. They were great people and worked hard. These are the types of people that are affected by money that has been reported to never be paid to those deserving. It is horrible on a large scale like the city of Folsom losing out, down to a singular person who works so hard and breaks his back with hard labor giving all their effort to host a event and try to make it enjoyable for all, like Keith D at the CCCX races.
I hope for the best, and I hope that the people who are due their money just to cover their bills, get their money. I was in Idaho all summer long on business from Santa Cruz, and did motorcycle racing and MTB racing. If the promoters in Idaho, as well as the NCNCA are left without their money, this could lead to many races and events never coming back. Which really affects people like me who love to take part in recreation and two wheel activities. I do hope this get’s corrected so events in Utah, Idaho, Calif. and elsewhere can survive, and the people who make these events come to life can continue with what they do for me.
Thomas G.
SCMPUD
October 5th, 2011 at
I have gotten confirmation from several promoters that Dirk has reached them by e-mail. I am hopeful this concludes quickly and well.
October 6th, 2011 at
I still have not recieved payment nor contact.
October 6th, 2011 at
Hosed,
Please send a note to Dirk and ask for instructions.
October 7th, 2011 at
Dirk called two days ago, and sent an email yesterday. It sounds like Dirk is trying to get everyone taken care of. I’m cautiously optimistic. -Alex K.
October 9th, 2011 at
If this helps anyone, Athlete in You and AIYevents (www.aiyevents.com) is an online event registration provider too. We have been around for just over 5 years, offer low processing fees to registrants, and pay as the event director requires.
We are financially stable and manage our funds to the extent that the event organizers money is never used to cover other bills so this unfortunate situation will never happen with us.
If anyone is interested, they may contact or go to the contact us section of the site and submit your event. We do all of the work for you!
October 29th, 2011 at
His address is 7428 Creekview Cove Salt Lake City Utah 84121
Hope you guys get some of your money back
October 29th, 2011 at
Sorry off one diget 7418 Creekview Cove Salt Lake City Utah 84121
October 29th, 2011 at
I understand what people are telling me is that he has put a bunch of money into his house remodeling. I should say, where is the money coming from? Plus I know he had a couple of bikes that were worth big bucks I have seen them at the races!! I bet he still has those and hiding what he can. Maybe he is selling those on ebay!
What he did is knowingly spent monies that were send from normal people that work hard. He will get federal time for this one in my opinion unless he can pay these citizens all back eveything that he has spent. Plus some of the events for charity please lowest of the low. Karma and the goverment after this one. Hate to be in his shoes.
Dirk lives in Salt Lake City Utah I know that