1) Create and publish the schedule well in advance.
Many WNT problems stem from the schedule coming out very late. It invites conflict with other promoters and limits the availability of top-draw players. Not good for ratings.
WNT is a relatively new, expanding and ambitious tour. But all successful pro tours/sports have predictable schedules published well in advance.
2) Collaborate better with WPA/Predator.
Both sides have already given each other some space. WNT focuses exclusively on 9 ball. WPA/Predator focuses on 10-ball, 8-ball and women’s pool.
Yet getting the schedule right requires active conversations with WPA/Predator. Some conflicts are inevitable, but the problem will only get worse unless the sides communicate frequently and directly.
Predator is here to stay. WNT has to accept that.
3) Revamp and unify the point system.
The winner of every Matchroom-designated major should get the same number of points. Same for second place, semis, quarters, etc.
If WNT really wants the WPC or US Open winner to get more points, make it 2x or 1.5x.
Yet it’s ridiculous to use prize money to determine points - the $250,000 prize for the WPC winner could let a player qualify for the Reyes or Mosconi by winning just that one event.
Spreading out the points would also encourage more players to play in more WNT events.
4) Improve and publish the rules on qualifying for invitational events.
Players and fans should know what the rules are. Every pro sport publishes its rules. WNT does not.
The absence of publicly declared rules allows conspiracy theories to develop and flourish. Controversy about who can play in Reyes/Mosconi is doing WNT no good.
Matchroom ostensibly uses a point system, but it also refuses to invite players with enough points to qualify if they didn’t play in a certain WNT major. This is wrong.
WNT can resolve the issue of players missing majors by avoiding scheduling conflicts. Failing that, points are points. MR is only hurting itself by excluding top players.
If a participation rule is a must, make it 50-plus of all WNT majors or some such.
5) Merit-based Reyes/Mosconi player selection.
I’d give automatic spots to the top four finishers instead of three in the rankings for the Mosconi and Reyes teams. Give players something to shoot for and more reason to play in Matchroom events. One wild card should suffice for marketing reasons.
Get rid of player coaches, especially those who don’t qualify on points. Bring in real coaches. The quality of the Mosconi is better with real coaches imo.
6) Set and stick to an invitational lineup. Is the World Cup of Pool ever going to come back? What happened to the World Pool Masters? Is the Premier League of Pool any better?
Personally I’d junk the Premier League and bring back the WCP and WPM. But MR needs to decide which if any of these events survive and hold them annually.
7) Stop playing favorites. WNT wants to reward players who play in most of its events. I get it. But don’t give freebies to undeserving players. Other players notice and resent it. This is a growing problem for WNT/Matchroom.
8) Reward top-ranked players. Give a cash prize to the top three or five finishers in the rankings each year. Make ranking points even more desirable.
One system: $50,000 for the No. 1 ranked player, $40,000 for No. 2, $30,000 for No. 3, $20,000 for No. 4 and $10,000 for No. 5.
9) Fix and improve WNT.TV. This is a potentially decent source of future revenue if done right. A bad user experience, on the other hand, hurts the WNT brand. While WNT is at it, lower ticket prices to get bigger crowds. That will also aid in the viewing experience.
10) Get rid of the purple 5 ball.
