Pro Pool players courting disaster

I remember attending a few of the Camel Pro Billiards Series Events back in the 90s. I really thought professional pool had a chance with RJ Reynolds sponsoring them. Sadly, that turned out to be a disaster for the players.

That became a disaster BECAUSE of the players greed. And then you have Mackey. Johnnyt
 
The elephant in the room is the ABP, the so-called players association. Where are they in the midst of this controversy, sitting it out on the sidelines?
 
Dress Code

Jason, good post and I agree with you until you said that pool doesn't need suits and ties.

Yes it does. People and specially young kids are very much fashion conscious these days than when I was growing up.

Maybe not suits and ties but casual and a dress shirt. Look how classy the snooker players are. They make it look like a gentlemens game.

I have watched many streams where the players are wearing shorts, shirts hanging out
and shuffling around the table in sandals. Real classy, although Its probably hot where they live, they most likely have air con in the pool room.

I recently received a DVD from CJ. Wow, he filmed the entire video with a suit on.

I imagine that he understands. Very classy.

I agree 100%...jeans and t-shirts for pro events looks terrible!

Pants, button down shirt and vest always brings the nuance of professionalism to the game which is much needed when trying desperately to grow the sport. Try sitting down with a marketing director of a major company asking them to sponsor an event and they see guys that look like they just rolled out of bed..it would be a waste of time.

Pool has plenty of other hurdles that need to be addressed to help grow the game no doubt, but starting with a dress code at tournaments can only help.
 
After watching a few sample matches on youtube, I must say that Bonus Ball is more interesting/exciting than I initially thought. I will give it a chance in terms of watching it once the season starts
 
The elephant in the room is the ABP, the so-called players association. Where are they in the midst of this controversy, sitting it out on the sidelines?

No Jay they were busy electing Darren Appleton to their board of directors. Why did he get elected -- well in the release Johnny Archer said he was a 'good guy' that could draw his ball. Perfect sound business reasoning.
 
How many members of the ABP are on BB teams Jay?

Well, at least one that I know of.

The ABP Board of Directors has 12 voting members. Eleven of those 12 (all but SVB) are Bonus Ball regular team members (i.e., not alternates).

The 11 are: Appleton, Archer, Davis, O. Dominguez, Hohmann, Immonen, Moore, Morris, Putnam, Schmidt, and Williams.
 
We Will See ...........

I agree 100%...jeans and t-shirts for pro events looks terrible!

Pants, button down shirt and vest always brings the nuance of professionalism to the game which is much needed when trying desperately to grow the sport. Try sitting down with a marketing director of a major company asking them to sponsor an event and they see guys that look like they just rolled out of bed..it would be a waste of time.

Pool has plenty of other hurdles that need to be addressed to help grow the game no doubt, but starting with a dress code at tournaments can only help.

I for one, Like the shirt's, And I love the logo's. Have you ever tried to play in a suit.
Hmmm! Golfers don't play in a suit. It is not comfortable. We can not compare this to Snooker. This is about organization, Working together as ONE.
Who cares what they wear if professionalism is in order. I can't believe the know it all's on here. Pool is worse off than it was 20 years ago. And will never go anywhere without working as one.
Everyone seems to think they know what is best for pool. A lot of people predicting the outcome. I can tell you this , Everyone on this forum should sit back and watch, And pray this work's. For it may be 20 more years before we have this opportunity again.
I know this if everyone unites as one Pro Pool has a chance here. This includes All the heavy hitters in pool, For this is an opportunity to support pool, Which can come back 100 fold for everyone. VOTE FOR, NOT AGAINS'T BONUS BALL.
Gary Lutman
 
Why don't Budweiser or Nike step. And don't forget Coca Cola, A lot of league players drink these drinks and most wear shoes ??

Please stop. You are sounding far more silly the deeper this thread gets.
Nike, Coca Cola, Budweiser, none of these companies want anything to do with pool. If they did they would already been involved.
 
Some of you are just going to have to realize pool will never be big in the U.S.
It's kinda of like Soccer for major sports, its big elsewhere, but never will be here. So just enjoy the game you like to play and quit trying to make it what it is not and never has the ability to be.
 
I have read most of this thread.

I here what Jay is talking about.
Jay does talk to Greg a lot - I don't talk to either one that often because I am trying to put on the world's largest pool tournament. 330+ tables this year.

But we have all talked a little.

My only problem with BB is their schedule. I just don't think they have thought through the 'costs' they have incurred by NOT working with the established events.

They have been delayed close to 8 months - yet they are concerned over 3-4 weeks of down time. I think that is penny wise and pound foolish.

The good will they would have garnered would have been worth it. IMHO.

I do understand their argument about players being able to decide which events to play in - and that teams now have 2 alternates. But if my team was in contention for first place, would I allow a team member to go play in an unrelated event? NO - I would not want him to do that.

So as this BB season goes on, the dynamics change drastically. And the alternates 'may' not have the realistic chance to do well in a US Open event or similar event - so they don't play either (since they are not 'in' Vegas).

I know this is all conjecture - BUT the issue is that if the pro players do not support the existing pro events, they will not continue. That is how it works.

And I think this is what Jay is saying. The pro players should make damn certain that BB is going to be around for several years before they 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' - because (for me) I can do a LOT better just promoting amateur events - and maybe having 6-8 (invited) pro player on sight. I do the PRO events for the Pros and the enjoyment of the amateurs.

I see what is happening to the pro scene and it makes me sick. You have the players promoting $7,000 events that were $20,000+ added events. The expenses are eating up the pro players. That is why we put on 3 events in 9 days.

But if it is not appreciated, we will change our direction. It is not what we want to do - it is the law of economics. (which is also why I don't believe BB will be around in a couple of years. No business can continue loosing large amounts for an extended period of time. I don't care how much money the investors have, it is doesn't make financial sense, it will go away.)

I believe Bonus Ball should have the right to succeed or to fail.
But I do not believe the players should give BB the right to possibly cause total disruption of the status quo - based on an unproven plan.

This is no different that an individual quitting a stable job because he is offered a position in an new business. If the business succeeeds, he could do better than he was in the old job. But if the new job goes away, he might end up unemployed.

The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence!

If anyone wishes to discuss my thoughts, contact me at markg@playcsipool.com

Mark Griffin
 
Gary,

You need to understand what you are saying - you want all the players and 'heavy hitters' to scuttle their plans and just follow someone who says this is what will happen. (put all of our eggs in an unproven plan).

They need to prove themselves first - and they could have done that without jeopardizing the existing structure.

That is how a prudent business plan would work.

And if they want to gamble their future this way - more power to them.
But I would not want them gambling my future with theirs. I would 'wait and see'.

You need to be aware of what some of us have invested in the 'pro pool players'.
I do wish BB good success - but not at the existing evetns expense.

ALL of this could have been avoided by just a little humility and understanding, and using common ourtesy and common sense.

You see - all of this problem was totally unnecessary.

Mark Griffin



This is about organization, Working together as ONE.
I can't believe the know it all's on here. Pool is worse off than it was 20 years ago. And will never go anywhere without working as one.
Everyone seems to think they know what is best for pool. A lot of people predicting the outcome. I can tell you this , Everyone on this forum should sit back and watch, And pray this work's.

For it may be 20 more years before we have this opportunity again.

I know this if everyone unites as one Pro Pool has a chance here. This includes All the heavy hitters in pool, For this is an opportunity to support pool, Which can come back 100 fold for everyone. VOTE FOR, NOT AGAINS'T BONUS BALL.
Gary Lutman
 
What !!

Please stop. You are sounding far more silly the deeper this thread gets.
Nike, Coca Cola, Budweiser, none of these companies want anything to do with pool. If they did they would already been involved.

So Joe, I don't think it is so silly. What you are saying is because it hasn't happened it can't happen. I do believe things can change. It won't without change in the mindset of people. Joe , Im far from silly. Unless I l elect to be . I also believe !!!! You don't have to , Buti will continue to be positive. Someday it is possible. Lets sit back and tell our league playing friends to tune in. You never know what the future holds. Call me Silly....
 
So Joe, I don't think it is so silly. What you are saying is because it hasn't happened it can't happen. I do believe things can change. It won't without change in the mindset of people. Joe , Im far from silly. Unless I l elect to be . I also believe !!!! You don't have to , Buti will continue to be positive. Someday it is possible. Lets sit back and tell our league playing friends to tune in. You never know what the future holds. Call me Silly....


They can change. He is wrong about soccer. I see it played more among the younger kids here than even little league baseball now. This will naturally lead to a boom later in the U.S. due to the growing interest.

And pool was once much more popular than it is now, so obviously it can be a popular game.
 
Hallelujah !!!

Pool has plenty of other hurdles that need to be addressed to help grow the game no doubt, but starting with a dress code at tournaments can only help.

Two things Really impressed me at the IPT Championship
in Reno a few years back.
#1 - The shear Elegance of the Venue
#2 - All Players dressed in Suits & Ties

It was amazing seeing Tony Chohan in a Suit vs. Gangsta attire.

For a few precious days Everyone looked Professional.
 
[ " They have been delayed close to 8 months - yet they are concerned over 3-4 weeks of down time. I think that is penny wise and pound foolish " .]

They can make up those 3-4 weeks by extending the season...
 
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Gary,

You need to understand what you are saying - you want all the players and 'heavy hitters' to scuttle their plans and just follow someone who says this is what will happen. (put all of our eggs in an unproven plan).

They need to prove themselves first - and they could have done that without jeopardizing the existing structure.

That is how a prudent business plan would work.

And if they want to gamble their future this way - more power to them.
But I would not want them gambling my future with theirs. I would 'wait and see'.

You need to be aware of what some of us have invested in the 'pro pool players'.
I do wish BB good success - but not at the existing evetns expense.

ALL of this could have been avoided by just a little humility and understanding, and using common ourtesy and common sense.

You see - all of this problem was totally unnecessary.

Mark Griffin


Agreed. Best of luck and success to Bonus Ball, BUT NOT without the courtesy towards others doing the right thing for pool. There is too much cut throat competition in this industry and not enough courtesy and respect for current schedules. This goes for regional tours as well as major professional events. "Working together" includes respecting another good thing's dates and schedule.
 
So Joe, I don't think it is so silly. What you are saying is because it hasn't happened it can't happen. I do believe things can change. It won't without change in the mindset of people. Joe , Im far from silly. Unless I l elect to be . I also believe !!!! You don't have to , Buti will continue to be positive. Someday it is possible. Lets sit back and tell our league playing friends to tune in. You never know what the future holds. Call me Silly....

Yes Gary, you are a Sillywabbit
 
They can change. He is wrong about soccer. I see it played more among the younger kids here than even little league baseball now. This will naturally lead to a boom later in the U.S. due to the growing interest.

And pool was once much more popular than it is now, so obviously it can be a popular game.

You are correct.
I started playing in the late 80s, maybe 88, I was in the poolroom everyday trying to learn and gambling from the first day. I played until 2002, quit until the Galveston classic in 2009. There was a TON more youngsters playing back then. That is something that has been lost and the main reason the game will not ever be as big as it was. Has nothing to do with pros, advertising, etc.

Has more to do with kids playing xbox, and on ipads etc. Kids nowadays do not go to arcades, play pool, hell they don't even really play outside with other kids near as much as they did back then.

Whatever happened to the days of your mom or dad telling you "go outside" and play? That don't happen now, kids stay in and play.
 
No Jay they were busy electing Darren Appleton to their board of directors. Why did he get elected -- well in the release Johnny Archer said he was a 'good guy' that could draw his ball. Perfect sound business reasoning.

Regardless of what JA said, Daz is one of the more cerebral guys on that board imho.
 
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