National Pool Teams - Possible?

stuckart

stuckart

Paint Dry Watching Champ
Silver Member
Many years ago I played Soccer almost as much as I play pool today. At the Sub-pro level we had teams that represented a city, state or region. We were able to get Corporate Sponsors for gear, travel, etc. So my question is this.

What would it take to create and support a National League of Pool Teams. For instance, Phoenix would have a team of 5 - 8 players, Vegas would have a team, San Diego, L.A., possibly multiple teams. And this could spread across the country.

The teams would play each other every other week or so, not conflicting with some big events. The format could be a combination of the BCA Nationals, Mosconi Cup, APA, etc. (Singles, Scotch, Team, 8-ball, 9-ball, 1-pocket, after match ring action, etc.)

We'd have Divisions like the NFL, where you play teams in your area more often. Have some Mid-season tournaments, Year End tournament, etc.

Players at the local level could play themselves onto a team, or attempt to. This could also help fund the travel, prize money, etc.

I think one of the biggest needs would be for each team to get their own sponsorship. ie. American Express Phoenix Shooters, Home Depot L.A. Dominance, etc.

Hosting rooms might need to add money or sponsor a team.

Team events could be recorded, Streamed live, video's, etc. Bragging rights between close cities.

Do you think this is possible? What would it take to start it up in Regions first and spread. How would the public get involved?

I'm looking for constructive comments please...
 
I was thinking sometime in the near future that the APA would begin to have something like this themselves.
 
I've played in the APA. I've liked the APA.

But, unfortunately, I don't think the APA system would be the best system to design this off of.

On the whole though they have many concepts that could be applied and useful. They even have the numbers of people that would help make it happen.

The APA is so successful as it currently is, I think it would be highly unlikely that they'd want to take the chance to make the changes that would be necessary to try it.
 
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stuckart said:
Many years ago I played Soccer almost as much as I play pool today. At the Sub-pro level we had teams that represented a city, state or region. We were able to get Corporate Sponsors for gear, travel, etc. So my question is this.

What would it take to create and support a National League of Pool Teams. For instance, Phoenix would have a team of 5 - 8 players, Vegas would have a team, San Diego, L.A., possibly multiple teams. And this could spread across the country.

The teams would play each other every other week or so, not conflicting with some big events. The format could be a combination of the BCA Nationals, Mosconi Cup, APA, etc. (Singles, Scotch, Team, 8-ball, 9-ball, 1-pocket, after match ring action, etc.)

We'd have Divisions like the NFL, where you play teams in your area more often. Have some Mid-season tournaments, Year End tournament, etc.

Players at the local level could play themselves onto a team, or attempt to. This could also help fund the travel, prize money, etc.

I think one of the biggest needs would be for each team to get their own sponsorship. ie. American Express Phoenix Shooters, Home Depot L.A. Dominance, etc.

Hosting rooms might need to add money or sponsor a team.

Team events could be recorded, Streamed live, video's, etc. Bragging rights between close cities.

Do you think this is possible? What would it take to start it up in Regions first and spread. How would the public get involved?

I'm looking for constructive comments please...
Click to expand...

Hey Jerry,
I like th idea, but I beleive we would be talking about semi-pro leagues here. It would be very difficult for the average Joe who works his 9 to 5 job to travel that much. So, the sponsors would actually have to pay the players a lil bit. Good idea but very difficult to get that kind of money from a sponsor I think. Hopefully pool gets to that level, but not in the near future. JMHO
 
FLICKit said:
I've played in the APA. I've liked the APA.

But, unfortunately, I don't think the APA system would be the best system to design this off of.

On the whole though they have many concepts that could be applied and useful. They even have the numbers of people that would help make it happen.

The APA is so successful as it currently is, I think it would be highly unlikely that they'd want to take the chance to make the changes that would be necessary to try it.
Click to expand...

I agree as the APA really targets lower level players. Not sure they'd want to get into this arena. The part above that I mentioned the APA was about the format. They have players matching up 1 on 1 and playing a set instead of just 1 game.

The ideal situation would be for each team to have numerous sponsors like Nascar. Many local based national companies would be ideal.
 
StuckArt,

I have always liked this idea of the TEAM competition between Major Cities with regions like Upper and lower West Coast, Upper and Lower Mountain, Upper and Lower Mid West, Upper and lower East Coast

These regions keeps the travel in a 'day trip driving' range and would keep the cities in a region.

Multiple disciplines. Banks, One Pocket, 8,9 10 and 14.1
Rules... who's.

Venues? Pool Halls at first, then what?

Prizes? Points? Trophy? Cash?

Pool players establish this system, control it, fund it and when it gets off the runway and starts to fly.... pool players will market the product.

Which pool players? well we surely have an abundance of RETIRED resources to use as guidance systems. All we need is a few players to take the helm, have a good crew supporting them and make sure there is action taken from the feedback from the tour's members.
 
Definitely would have to be multiple disciplines, and that might offer teams to field 10-12 player teams or more. With only 5 or 6 to travel and compete that given time.

For simplicity I'm only using the SouthWest as an example.

San Diego, Phoenix, L.A., Sacramento, Vegas, Reno, Salt Lake, Albuquerque, etc.

Agree, Pool halls for the first few years then who knows. Regional Championships in Vegas or something. National Event once a year.

Possibility of two further away teams meeting somewhere in the middle when they need to play. New Mexico vs Sacramento would be the longest.

As far as the players; probably not limit it to semi-pro and below, but have players have to compete locally to get on team and stay on the team. Of course incentives would have to be offered. Players would have to compete at local tourneys with money going toward T&E.

I think the Midwest would have a great chance of this working. Wisconsin, Chicago, Southern Ill., Iowa, Indiana, Minneasota, etc.
Could get 8 teams in that area.

East Coast would be the same thing, lots of cities for easy travel.

So, like everything, it all boils down to money. How do you formulate a business plan that would attract some sponsors. What is in it for them? Can we get Local News exposure? TV snippets?

What would it cost for 1 team to make a 5+ hour drive and spend 2 or 3 days? How many trips per team per season? 4 or 5 away, 4 or 5 home? Regional costs? National Costs?
 
And we have to include the Women.

They have to be part of this effort. NOT MEN ONLY.

In the past we went to BARS, Fast Food places, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores and even some stores in the malls.

$50 to have a sign (you provide) posted over a table to advertise your place of business. Table assignments are not Numbers but, So and So are scheduled to play on the table sponsored by Wendy's. or Jack's Brew Pub. Just look for the sign above the table.

We also can rely on the local Billiard Supply company for a few $$$.

Local Casinos have offered $$$ for hanging a banner during tournaments.

Press Releases for Local at first.

Publish results for all local rooms.

All participating rooms get results (email of snail mail) of all matches.

Maybe someone will create the Web Site... www.Poolcitymadness.com to post results.

A Webmaster. Forums?

Web site ads.

Focus on larger cities with pool halls that have a separate tournament room that a spectator donation can be made. With memberships to be sold to anyone that will be willing to donate.
All members would be listed by City on the Web site.
What city has the most members?

Just something I've been bouncing around for about 15 or so years.
 
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Just so you know guys.. basketball, football also had some very very humble beginnings.

And pool is FAR FARRR more popular then those sports were when they were getting started.
 
Great Idea

I love the idea Jerry and I am a beliver that it can be done. We only need 10-15-20 people around the country who believe in it and are willing to work hard and pool all of their resources. You know a little about what I'm doing and i will commit to you, I will help if others will:thumbup:
 
D C 6 Pocket said:
I love the idea Jerry and I am a beliver that it can be done. We only need 10-15-20 people around the country who believe in it and are willing to work hard and pool all of their resources. You know a little about what I'm doing and i will commit to you, I will help if others will:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Does anyone else have any ideas, Pluses/Minues, etc.

The idea is probably impossible to pull off with the lack of people willing to get their hands dirty to make it happen.

I know for sure that I can get 1 or 2 sponsors to support a team. But we'd need 10-20 depending on size to even get 1 region going.

I think the best option would be to focus on getting one region going. Have that up for a year and work out the bugs, etc. Then adding other regions would be much easier.

I think we might have to exclude any players that are in the top 64 rankings for Men and 32 for the WPBA. They wouldn't be able to commit to the team as often.

Paskat - I did a little research and it was definitely not easy for any of these sports to take off and reach the levels they are at now. One cool difference is you can play pool at any age. It would be great to see in 20 years from now, full contracts offered to these players. Teams owning rights to players, Trades, etc. *dreaming*
 
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