Earl Strickland
- Thread starter westcoast
- Start date
You think it's bad now, what are most of these pool payers going to do when they are old and not able to pick up any earnings at all from pool.
We have had a few players in Canada that were very successful in the 80's and either died broke or will die broke.
It's an amateur sport without anyone at the helm and no direction or organization and no contingency for old players.
Doesn't seem fair in light of the obscene amounts that some sports people earn.
We have had a few players in Canada that were very successful in the 80's and either died broke or will die broke.
It's an amateur sport without anyone at the helm and no direction or organization and no contingency for old players.
Doesn't seem fair in light of the obscene amounts that some sports people earn.
It's not fair...by any means.
It's amazing that people would rather watch log cutting championships, and dog agility contests rather than pool. It just blows me away.
Earl was smart enough to learn trick shots to help him down the road. If you have never seen his exhibitions, you really missed out. He's as good as anyone out there. He's still got that stroke.
It's seems like a combination of factors.
There isn't enough money in pool overall. So, it is somewhat foolish to try to make a career out of it. Nobody put a gun to their heads and made them choose such a career. They knew what they were getting themselves into.
Two, it seems like some guys that were successful didn't manage their $ well. You must be future oriented and realize that these paydays will not be there forever. For example, Strickland must have made a lot of $ in his day from tournament winnings, sponsorship, etc.
Even some "mainstream" (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) athletes have gone broke after making over $100 million in their careers. So, some of it is personal responsibility.
There isn't enough money in pool overall. So, it is somewhat foolish to try to make a career out of it. Nobody put a gun to their heads and made them choose such a career. They knew what they were getting themselves into.
Two, it seems like some guys that were successful didn't manage their $ well. You must be future oriented and realize that these paydays will not be there forever. For example, Strickland must have made a lot of $ in his day from tournament winnings, sponsorship, etc.
Even some "mainstream" (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) athletes have gone broke after making over $100 million in their careers. So, some of it is personal responsibility.
Yeah...but if that's where your heart is? (and GOOD money at the time) Once you get used to that good money, it makes it awfully tough to consider a career change.
Doing something you like for a livng is something very few people get to do. I can't hold it against anyone for trying to live their dream.
Your right there!! Earl lived a good life, up until his divorce. (Had a little something to do with the change.)
Holyfield (300 Million) is flat ass broke, Tyson, (400 Million) the same.
Yes, they would fall under the irresponsible category.
Your absolutely right a lot of these guys mismanaged and did not look at the future and say well I am not going to be winning when I am 60 or whatever and either make plans and or get the right management, they thought it would last forever I guess.
Look at the difference between Alex Higgins and Steve Davis, one died broke and the other is doing just fine thank you. Over their careers Davis did earn more but Higgins should still have had enough to see him through old age.
I like to believe that in a free capitalist market where everything finds it's own level. If sponsors and the paying public wanted to watch pool in a bad way they would pay $85.00 each and pack 18000 into an arena, sadly this is not the case.
Earrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guys,
So far the response has been overwelming.
So since I have a few people lined up to pay for the hosting and offer content, I have my own ideas and I am just waiting for Rick S. to speak with Earl and we'll go from there.
I will keep everybody updated in any way I can.
Earl is a great, great player. I don't care much for his bad behavior and I hope he has it under control because I really like Earl.
That said, it would be so great for AZ Earl fans to put up some stake money toward a big TAR $ match with one of the world champs!!
SVB, one of the Filipinos, or someone that can really fire back at Earl. It would be great action!!!
That would be so awesome!!!
Go Earl!
--Jeff
That said, it would be so great for AZ Earl fans to put up some stake money toward a big TAR $ match with one of the world champs!!
SVB, one of the Filipinos, or someone that can really fire back at Earl. It would be great action!!!
That would be so awesome!!!
Go Earl!
--Jeff
Earl will be at my house on Thursday and I am going to show him this thread and breainstorm with him to see what content he would like to see and what merchandise could be sold etc. You guys are awesome and I am sure he will be greatful for just the thought alone. I will speak with him tomorrow and let him know.
I don't know about today's market, but in Earl's heyday he was making 150-200K a year in sponsorship deals (50K each). Plus all his tournament winnings and exhibition fees. He made over 300K a year several years in the early 90's. But he lamented that the top golfers were making five to ten times more even then. I remember telling him he wasn't doing bad for a pool player.
Very few players can make that kind of money today, but I think several make in excess of 200K total, counting winnings, sponsorship and appearance fees. Jeanette is in another league! She makes much more than any other player, by a wide margin! There is no close second. Mike Massey used to be the second highest earner with all his exhibitions etc. He was doing over 100 shows a year! He's slowed down now. Paul Gerni was another pool player who did quite well for himself. Probably the most successful of the exhibition shooters, along with Mike.
Thanks for the info. I have a sociological background and find the Sociology of sports to be very interesting- particularly "cult" sports like pool- especially how or if people sustain themselves in the sport.
Great. Tell him we're all pulling for him. It would be great to see him play at the top level on consistent basis again
Earl Used to Be My Favorite Player
I even signed up for a clinic that he did with Johnny Archer in Columbus, OH. This is what I learned. JA is a really neat guy. He's very warm and friendly, and a pleasure to be around. I wasn't a fan of JA till that clinic. He made a very good impression on me, and the rest of the people in my group. I'd like to take a lesson with him again sometime.
I even signed up for a clinic that he did with Johnny Archer in Columbus, OH. This is what I learned. JA is a really neat guy. He's very warm and friendly, and a pleasure to be around. I wasn't a fan of JA till that clinic. He made a very good impression on me, and the rest of the people in my group. I'd like to take a lesson with him again sometime.
I would guess though Jay that a fair chunk of this is eaten up by expenses especially on all the tourneys when you don't make the cut. Air and hotel aint cheap.
good example...Quatar
Earl said it would have cost 4-5K to make the trip. It only paid 40K to the winner. Odds aren't in anyone's favor at 8-1 on the money.
W/sponsors it wouldn't be as tough. Without them, it's awfully hard to attend international events.
The head on favorites didn't seem to like it either, with a relatively unknown snapping it off.
Makes you think how much $$$ the TV rights are sold for to what 80-90 countries?? The promoters have to make it worthwhile to play with a chance at some real money.
You would have had to finish in the top 4, just to pay expenses. Anything less, you lost money on the trip.
Earl said it would have cost 4-5K to make the trip. It only paid 40K to the winner. Odds aren't in anyone's favor at 8-1 on the money.
W/sponsors it wouldn't be as tough. Without them, it's awfully hard to attend international events.
The head on favorites didn't seem to like it either, with a relatively unknown snapping it off.
Makes you think how much $$$ the TV rights are sold for to what 80-90 countries?? The promoters have to make it worthwhile to play with a chance at some real money.
You would have had to finish in the top 4, just to pay expenses. Anything less, you lost money on the trip.
How about an instructional tour? Earl could arrange lessons the days before or after the events that he plays, or just plan trips to cities with pre-arranged lesson appointments in host pool halls. I would volunteer to arrange anything needed in the Chicago area. Earl is a really nice guy and I would support him.