PSA & SquashSite Negotiations Falter ... SiteSquash to Close?

By Shawn Patton

Fram Gommendy announced on October 15th that two of squash's most popular websites (sitesquash.com and squashsite.co.uk) would be closing at the conclusion of the World Open.

At the risk of being perceived as opportunistic, below you will find an automated translation of her remarks originally published in French and a link to the Squash Site annoucement.

Time will tell if this announcement is bourne out of fatigue, disappointment, frustration?

Or a calculated move to re-start negotiations, garner sympathy, improve the financial compensation received when providing PSA tournament websites and/or on-site reporting?  An indirect plea for moral, financial support? An effort to find/pressure a wealthy patron ... sad to say, but doesn't a newly appointed Saudi Chairman come to mind?

Maybe all of the above?

Until we write a more substantive article, here are some questions:
- With the PSA TV, Webstreaming rights up for re-negotiation in early 2009, would it be prudent for the PSA to enter into a partnership at this stage with any web company?
- Might future partners, sponsors, suppliers, providers (web streaming, tv rights/distribution, etc) bring skills, resources, in-house expertise and indeed preferences before submitting a bid, writing a cheque?
- Wouldn't a premature partnership "tie the hands" of the PSA in these negotiations and potentially diminish the value of any future partnerships if the new partner/rights holder perceives they can not fully leverage their expertise, recover their investment, spread their costs, maximize visibility for sponsors/advertisers through a range of mediums under their direct influence ie. PSA website ?
- Might some quality partners be less interested because an important marketable property, the Tour website is operated as a separate piece of an otherwise coherent, synergistic range of marketable properties?
- Without being privy to the discussions that caused Fram/Steve to have the expectation that the PSA was going put forward a proposal during the World Open, hasn't the PSA taken the prudent step of keeping their options open?
- Setting aside the very hard work and dedication to the sport over many years by both Steve and Fram ... for the good of the sport ... for the sake of transparency ... and to undertake a thorough, professional process that will be above reproach, legal challenge ... doesn't the PSA (players, promoters, executive and other stakeholders) now have an opportunity to undertake an open bid / request for proposals process that allows a competition of sorts to find the very best provider or team of providers? Isn't this what squash and its fans and related stakeholders deserve? Isn't this what a professionally run organization: sport, business, association or otherwise would do ... outline services, goods required, criteria and process for evaluation, decision, then open the doors, let the best man, woman, company win?

Fram's translated remarks are below and the full English background and announcement is available by clicking:
Squash Site the Final Curtain

Closing

As some relatives know, its months and months that I day after day to stay involved in squash.

Since Steve and I have created SquashSite.co.uk, we worked on the passion, by involving 200% since the first day. We started from nothing, no money, no sponsor and with the World Squash of journalistic and official against us because we were separated from the giant SquashPlayer and were regarded as traitors.

The success of the site has been immediate. My vision was from the start to create a haven for my players, my small, as I quickly called.

On SquashSite, no personal attacks, petty and unjustified. The words of the players have never been distorted. The scoops carefully sorted and filtered : this is good for the player in question, is it good for the sport …

The style of course, also completely different from what had been done before, has attracted not only the players but also a public hungry for details, small stories, and analysis of the game deep and varied as usual « A beat B as minutes, yawn » … Add to that speed, network and technical qualities of Steve, and the bet was won.
Site of Reference

On the site leader, we became the reference site, both in English than in French – the French site, my « dancer », as I call it, since it has never reported nothing, of course – and shot in the mouth, criticism, personal attacks, have become daily. Jealousy, jealousy, and the caravan moves on …

If passion, insults, and work no shortage, lack of money, he was sorely felt. Steve, IT trainer, I worked as a free-lance and could remain the rest of my time at home. Me, my career as an actress in England in « voice » leave me time. So we worked alongside to pay fees for sites.

Not for Profit
Gradually, revenues increased international site, but alas, of course, spending too. Make travel around the world two people, planes, trains, cars, taxis, mobile phones in foreign countries, despite Skype, hotels when the tournament does not prompt you, meals, computer dying, cameras that be replaced, photographers and journalists need to pay, etc …

In two words as cent for five years now, our revenue SquashSite have finally reached 22,000 GBP a year. The expenditure, 21,500. Over the shorfall, which for me amounts to around 32,000 since the beginning, all these jobs that Steve and I had to refuse as we serve squash …

No need to be a math teacher to understand that work without a rest since 23 November 2004, traveling constrantly, Scotch on the screen of a laptop 16, 18 hours a day, working in two languages, and for anything other than criticism, ridiculous and unjustified, Steve and I were in the process of sinking.

For eighteen months, I knocked on all doors, promoters, sponsors, associations … always the same answer … « sport is poor, you are doing a good job, but I can not do anything for you, and if you go see somebody … « I then turned to « our organizations. » WISPA we support very much, logistically, but could not do anything financially. The WSF, Global federation, hans not felt at all concerned.

PSA
I then started negotiations with some members of the Steering Committee of the PSA, well before the departure of Gawain. And everything seemed to unlock with the arrival of the new CEO and the appointment of Alex Gough. Several meetings were fruitful and in the International, the PSA announced they would be ready to make a proposal during the World Open in Manchester.

The idea was to created a new PSA instead of promoting pure squash, which would ally SquashSite Internet traffic, and all the services of squash, results, reporting a minute, databases, free for all media the world over streaming, video, photos, etc. What was my vision, my dream since the first day.

D-Day
And then you go. On 14 October, a few hours after the defeat against Thierry Shorbagy, while I was to come into the press room after 12 hours of uninterrupted matches on 5 courts at the time, bluntly I’m standing between two doors, that the Board had made a U-Turn volte face, and would do no proposal.

It was about 22h. I stowed my stuff, I closed the computer, I took the last bus, and the next morning I took the train back to London where I’m writing. I canceled my trip to Qatar, Saudi. I closed the French Site. And we close the English site Sunday evening after the final of the World.

Steve and I have too, without asking anything. Promoters, global forums do we really have never met nord one the work done by these two crazy fans that we were, and we have worked in unacceptable conditions for too long. So there it is. We stop. The all to go to be seen, they do not deserve our work, because they obviously do not appreciate the true value …

I know I met a lot of extraordinary people, and will remember all these moments with my grandchildren, which I loved, that I protected, which sometimes hurt me so deeply, but have so often given meaning to my life.
And I thank the Gods of Squash makes me meet some of you who read these lines. You recognize.

Rideau

Framboise

What do you think?
Send us an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or add a Comment below

Original Article - French

SquashSite - The End

Comments (16)

...
written by Mark2 , October 27, 2008

HA HA HA HA

That only took 7 days and suddently Stupid Steve and Fiery Fram come back - so much for all the trash talk about the PSA. But is this the PSA via the back door with 2 psa board members from the same club ?

This looks like a dodgey deal to me with the psa without the psa being mentioned.

...
written by Jan Loney , October 21, 2008

I'd just like to add my tuppence worth to the debate of the potential closure of the above website.

Your website is fantastic. Information is timely and I often use your copy on our national website, linking back to your website. The recent world champs were covered excellently by you and I must admit to "extracting" some photos also for use on our website.

With all minority sports, all the publicity we can get is like gold and closure of your great website would be a step backwards in terms of exposure for members and our press "down under."

Your reports are timely and far more up to date than the PSA website, which is harder to navigate.

I know a lot of our players and dedicated squash fans in New Zealand regularly visit your site you info and great reads.

If the closure went ahead it would be a sad day for many squash fans in New Zealand.

Regards,

Jan Loney.

Game Development Officer

Squash New Zealand.

Telephone: 09 815 0970

Mobile: 021 375 380

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

...
written by Mick , October 20, 2008

I’m regretful Steve and Fram have come to this conclusion. Though a lot more attention has been drawn to their site, and I feel Squashsite will not close shop. Their bitterness makes me wonder what has PSA been floating around with them. It’s true Steve covered events around the world for basically nothing to pay the bills. So maybe the problem started there. Squash is a very small world where news travels fast and cost saving measures are the first priority. Howard Harding officially supplies all Squash web sites event results. Steve and Fram stood out because of their post match interviews. Most people prefer Sqaushsite for this and the forum. Nothing controversial (newsworthy) or anything that could rock the boat (besides the scoring system) was published (to my memory) on Squashsite. I deeply appreciate the efforts of Steve and his passion for the sport. There’s a hell of a lot more people in Squash who struggle to pay the bills from the sport. I feel if there were at least 3 to 5 web-sites covering each event with press conferences after each match between journalists and players, and with more than 4 professional photographers would look more appealing.

...
written by Stevie , October 20, 2008

The sad news will be when idiots like Walters take over squashsite and we are fed nothing but isport this and that (which isn't far from what we get now)

...
written by malcolm barrow , October 20, 2008

It's sad to read Shawn's semi-coherent writing and think this may be all we're left with when it comes to squash reporting. Squashsite isn't without its flaws, but there's no question that it's head and shoulders above other squash media sources in the quality and depth of its coverage. I don't know what went on regarding potential funding from the PSA, but I think it's unlikely Squashsite made demands that would have jeopardized future opportunities for the PSA. Shawn apparently has the notion that a media giant is waiting to invest large sums of money in squash. I'll believe that when I see it. In the mean time, squash has lost its only comprehensive news resource.

...
written by Stevie , October 20, 2008

Cubbins view on history is very rose tinted - He stole the squashsite website from squashplayer originally - funny how squashplayer is still now going strong as Cubbins twiddles his fingers wondering what to do now :D

...
written by Mainser , October 20, 2008

As a comparative new-comer to all the squash politics I have to see I see rights and wrongs on both sides. I do think that squash site is wrong to expect a handout, but similarly I think that it is one of the better sites out there - squash is terrible at promoting itself. If the PSA has an alternative then let's see it and now, if not then I fear we may lose a good site forever.

...
written by Arteyu , October 19, 2008

If I'd the money, I would have helped them. They did it because of thier passion for this sport. Try to look at the positive outcome that may occur if PSA agrees to help them financially. They didn't ask for 1 million or even $100,00. If PSA want to build a new website, they might have to invest a lot more of money rather than to give it to squashsite. If PSA doesn't like the domain name that squashsite was using, co.uk, they can ask them to change it to .com or .net or anything. I would say that now without squashsite, the sport can't really develop, And now, without this major squash website, I think it is harder for the sport to get into the Olympics by 2016.

...
written by Dallas , October 19, 2008

Holy delusional batman. Boast Drop Drive hit the nail on the head when he? pointed out the "sense of entitlement" aspect of things. If your business isnt strong enough to stand on its own two feet, dont go asking for a handout and give me a break for all the bleeding hearts who might think it is the role of PSA, WSF, WISPA, etc to subsidize their efforts. Does the Football,Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Cricket association pay, offset the costs, subsidize media to get attention. They obviously were very hard working and dedicated team, but seems like they made a bed for themselves (pricing, services provided) and now they have to sleep in it, for better or worse, survival of the fittest.

...
written by Stevie , October 19, 2008

What a joke - goodbye and good riddance. For years Squashsite has been dominant due to charging stupidly low rates and they now expect governing bodies to bail them out - Talk to Brondstein and other media sites about how to operate in the real world.

The only surprise is that these two were sad enough to stay as long as they did but then they did create their own monster.

I certainly hope the none of the aforementioned bodies or Ziad thinks that they need to step in and save them. A period of reflection is needed and maybe some sites like 360 will get a break now - a fair level playing field is required and just because Steve and Fram decide that the model that they created is not working does not mean that others should bail them - that only happens to the banks guy !

...
written by Squash fan , October 18, 2008

The best squash website!!!PSA web is really poor and have never reached quality of Squashsite.

...
written by Gary , October 18, 2008

Agree with the other comments 100%. Squash is potentially moving into a whole new era of professionalism and commercialisation now - for our sport to grow and expand, we need the very best promotion and packaging across all media. For Fram and Steve to simply expect that they would get the PSA financial backing just because "they've been doing it so long" (which is what the argument basically boils down to), is naive in the extreme.
I've personally found much of the writings and reports on the site to be too often quite twee and amateurish, and for me, featuring reports written by a 15yr old child does not really reflect well on the professionalism of any website. Fine for a 'fan site', and of course i've no right to complain... But as any part of an 'official' PSA set-up, thats simply not good enough. I look forward to a new and improved Squash website, in keeping with the progression of Squash into the 21st Century.
Thanks for the memories though SquashSite.

...
written by Skid Boast , October 18, 2008

Not opportunistic its news and information other sites dont have the gumption to make available to us. Keep up the good work Sean!

...
written by GuernseyBoy , October 18, 2008

Have to admit, was and am sypathetic to all the effort over the years by Steve and Fram. But if true about contracts in 09 PSA did the right thing. Rather than pay Steve and Fram they might be able to negotiate a bespoke website as part of these agreements. And you have to walk in the shoes of PSA and the companies that might be interested in the web rights rather than out of loyalty or sympathy to Steve and Fram. Life and business aint fair.

...
written by Squash Lover , October 18, 2008

If I was Ziad's wife I would hide his check book. |o|

...
written by Boast Drop Drive , October 17, 2008

So let me get this straight, they operated a business that has so far despite their best efforts and being the no 1 squash website in the world is not profitable (nor been graphically updated in years). She went cap in hand for 18 months for handouts from WISPA, WSF, promoters, companies and came up empty. They had their hopes up to receive a bailout, back room deal, I mean proposal from PSA, initially started under the previous regime and now the new and improved management and board have decided not to submit a proposal for squash site to get a sweetheart deal, the right decision by the way, so now they are going to pack their bags/take their ball and go home. Me thinks, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. What a load of rubbish. Is it me or is there an uncurrent of a sense of entitlement, pity me or what? Thanks for allowing my ravings.

Write comment

Name

Website

Comment smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

security image
Write the displayed characters

[ Back ]

Polls

Get News & Updates

E-Mail Alerts

Get the latest News, Views & Articles delivered straight to your In-box !
Simply enter your e-mail address below

Click Here for Additional RSS Information.