There Is NO Hope For Pro Pool IMO

[StraightPoolIU]

If pro pool did become huge you may not like what it would become.

This is another serious question to be asked!
Pool can make it on TV but like with anything on the box today it would be diluted!
To sell out or not to sell out? - That's the question. Or put another way:
To compromise or NOT to compromise?
Personally, I'd compromise and make it work - just as in life! :thumbup:

The problem is there is no offer to compromise on and no proof that it would work and a lot of proof to the contrary. I'll just take my TAR matches, my free streamed events, and youtube and be perfectly happy for the time being. Would be nice if I could buy Billiards Digest at places that sell magazines though. I mean there are tons of other even smaller niche hobbies that have magazines at Barnes and Noble but not pool.

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

The problem is there is no offer to compromise on and no proof that it would work and a lot of proof to the contrary. I'll just take my TAR matches, my free streamed events, and youtube and be perfectly happy for the time being. Would be nice if I could buy Billiards Digest at places that sell magazines though. I mean there are tons of other even smaller niche hobbies that have magazines at Barnes and Noble but not pool.

It's nice to know that you are content Straightpoolu!
If I could create your double and x by 1,000,000 pool WOULD stand a commercial chance.
WHY? Because you spend $ on what you love and politics doesn't seem to get involved with your decision making :thumb up:
At least that's the impression I get...

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Think like fashion trends run hot, and cold, and Pool is cold now will it ever be as big as it once was? Willie Mosconi in his book, Willie's Game mentions Pool has been declinig since the year of Willie's Birth 1913. The Copyright Date of my copy of Wilie's book is 1993, 20 years ago. Has Pool beeing thriving between 1993-2013, or is it per Willie's Book.

 

[pro9dg]

I have follower this thread and am struck by the range of views from pessimism to blind optimism..
By and large there are only a handful of people here who know what they are talking about.
Worldwide, there is not a massive appetite to watch pool.
Matchroom provide the ONLY quality products. The Mosconi Cup, The World Masters and The World Cup of Pool are watched globally by a large audience.
But they mark the limit of what the market will stand.
Don't you think that Barry Hearn with an unmatchable address book of TV moguls would add additional events if they created interest among these people. Of course he would.
Matchroom ran the World Pool Championship through most of the early part of this century with proper prize money and decent production budgets.
Then it fell into the wrong hands and became a Sleazefest.
Now it has found a new berth in Qatar but the game's flagship event is unsaleable. Even if someone came up with a concept that matched Matchroom's production values it is highly unlikely that they could find a reputable home for the product. If Matchroom cannot do it, then it can't be done. Finito!

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

I have follower this thread and am struck by the range of views from pessimism.
By and large there are only a handful of people here who know what they are talking about.
Worldwide, there is not a massive appetite to watch pool.
Matchroom provide the ONLY quality products. The Mosconi Cup, The World Masters and The World Cup of Pool are watched globally by a large audience.
But they mark the limit of what the market will stand.
Don't you think that Barry Hearn with an unmatchable address book of TV moguls would add additional events if they created interest among these people. Of course he would.
Matchroom ran the World Pool Championship through most of the early part of this century with proper prize money and decent production budgets.
Then it fell into the wrong hands and became a Sleazefest.
Now, even if someone came up with a concept that matched Matchroom's production values it is highly unlikely that they could find a reputable home for the product. If Matchroom cannot do it, then it can't be done. Finito!

MMmmm... Can't be done? No such thing!
But I agree with you and have stated many times now, Pool is just not ready for prime time - So give it up!
Start again, but start again correctly (with advanced planning and structure) and Pool will get back to mainstream one day :thumb up:

Not only do we need pro9dg we need new dg's!!!!

 

[JAM]

I have follower this thread and am struck by the range of views from pessimism.
By and large there are only a handful of people here who know what they are talking about.
Worldwide, there is not a massive appetite to watch pool.
Matchroom provide the ONLY quality products. The Mosconi Cup, The World Masters and The World Cup of Pool are watched globally by a large audience.
But they mark the limit of what the market will stand.
Don't you think that Barry Hearn with an unmatchable address book of TV moguls would add additional events if they created interest among these people. Of course he would.
Matchroom ran the World Pool Championship through most of the early part of this century with proper prize money and decent production budgets.
Then it fell into the wrong hands and became a Sleazefest.
Now, even if someone came up with a concept that matched Matchroom's production values it is highly unlikely that they could find a reputable home for the product. If Matchroom cannot do it, then it can't be done. Finito!

I have to agree with you on this.

Matchroom Sport is the Rolls-Royce of pool competitions. They cater to pro players, which in this day and age is quite unusual. Most pool entities today have banned pro players from their events and/or created handicaps and increased the entry fees for pro players. The pro player in the U.S. is a pariah in the pool world today, and they are not welcome in many venues today.

Without Matchroom Sport, I think professional pool would be a dead stinking fish in the water.

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

The thread is entitled:

'There Is NO Hope For Pro Pool IMO'

There are several ways to read this. I am only concerned with two:
1.There Is NO Hope For Pro Pool IMO - For future Pro Pool and Pro Events?
2.There Is NO Hope For Pro Pool IMO - For the current generation of 'Pro Pool Players'?

 

[JAM]

The thread is entitled:

'There Is NO Hope For Pro Pool IMO'

There are several ways to read this. I am only concerned with two:
1.There Is NO Hope For Pro Pool IMO - For future Pro Pool and Pro Events?
2.There Is NO Hope For Pro Pool IMO - For the current generation of 'Pro Pool Players'?

I think they are both intertwined. In order for one to be successful, the other has to find a way to jump the hurdles and break through the barriers.

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

I think they are both intertwined. In order for one to be successful, the other has to find a way to jump the hurdles and break through the barriers.

Possibly.
I do feel that we are at a cross roads for the current generation of pool players and perhaps they NOW need to accept that they we not become the HIGH ROLLERS we had all hoped!

 

[Jason Robichaud]

Rather than relying on a big budget film let TAR grab a camera. Hit the road with Alex P as he digs up action, travels to events, practices a little and jumps 9' for $20. Make a reality "Color of Money".

If this doesn't sell, find a fire, place marshmallow on tip of cue, start roasting - cause this game is dead!

 

[JAM]

There's a couple of documentaries about pool in progress as I write this. One of them is by an experienced producer who will then have to sell his "reality show" to the networks. It will be interesting to see if it catches.

A professionally produced reality show, one that is not cheesy, might be successful. I mean, if Honey Boo-Boo can get there and Lizard Lick Towing, why not pool?

 

[JAM]

Rather than relying on a big budget film let TAR grab a camera. Hit the road with Alex P as he digs up action, travels to events, practices a little and jumps 9' for $20. Make a reality "Color of Money".

If this doesn't sell, find a fire, place marshmallow on tip of cue, start roasting - cause this game is dead!

While this may seem like a do-able idea, an entity with deep pockets would have to fund the operation while it is in progress. To date, many folks in the pool industry, whether it is film, tournament production, commentating matches, or regional tours, the people work most times with little to no profit, sometimes even working for free and incurring all the associated expenses. This model can't work in the long run.

 

[Jason Robichaud]

While this may seem like a do-able idea, an entity with deep pockets would have to fund the operation while it is in progress. To date, many folks in the pool industry, whether it is film, tournament production, commentating matches, or regional tours, the people work most times with little to no profit, sometimes even working for free and incurring all the associated expenses. This model can't work in the long run.

Would it then be reality? The struggles to find $$ each day, places to stay, food etc... would be the show. I would pay $30 month to watch an hour of this per week.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Rather than relying on a big budget film let TAR grab a camera. Hit the road with Alex P as he digs up action, travels to events, practices a little and jumps 9' for $20. Make a reality "Color of Money".

If this doesn't sell, find a fire, place marshmallow on tip of cue, start roasting - cause this game is dead!

Your idea would have work in the 60's like it did for little know film guy who made, THE ENDLESS SUMMER, that once in a while is on TV. But today you have a different audience who has grown up on big budget epics, with special effects. So Bruce Brown's work would not make the main stream.

Brown if I recall had two hit Endless Summer, and On Any Sunday that launch BMX Bicycle Racing a little know sport at he time to big time. Brown made other independent films, both those two are the classics.

Pool need an influx of sponsors, and supporters with money to inject new life & interest in the sport.

But when top Pro players live hand to mouth, and get RUBBER, or NO Check after winning a Big Event, I am sorry the image of Pool is tarnished to the point main stream Corporate America would rather spent their advertising dollars else where.

Many TOP Pros were lured to Phoenix only a few years back for a 25K add that was a flop, and our OWN Jay H. was TD, and he I am sure remember that fiasco.

Do you actually if there was another promised of a Big Tourney in the Valley of the Suns, top pro would go out of their way to make it. UNLESS ALL Prize Fund where in an Iron Clad Escrow Account, and some one reputable was promoting the event.

JMHO.

 

[JAM]

Would it then be reality? The struggles to find $$ each day, places to stay, food etc... would be the show. I would pay $30 month to watch an hour of this per week.

I heard it through the pool grapevine that the reality show is based on real pool players, though some of the theme, IMO, is a wee bit embellished. My other half spoke to the person creating it and has had communication with him several times.

This documentary will show the struggles, I think. There will be a plot that most of us pool people can relate to.

The thing is, not too many people can afford to go on the road and record a reality show in a real-time process and then edit the film and create a documentary. There are so many pieces that fit into this model, and some of those pieces may not be willing to work for free.

What you are willing to pay $30 a month to watch, some others believe this image of pool is not healthy for the sport. Therein likes the tension or conflict, if you will.

I would watch it too. I hope the reality show does come to fruition. Who knows? We just might be watching on one of the cable channels sooner than we think. :grin-square:

 

[JAM]

Would it then be reality? The struggles to find $$ each day, places to stay, food etc... would be the show. I would pay $30 month to watch an hour of this per week.

One more thing, about reality shows, Pawn Shop, Hardcore Pawn, Lizard Lick Towing, Amish Mafia, and even the Kardashians, a lot of the plot is embellished to sell on TV, even though they are called "reality" show. :wink:

 

[Johnnyt]

One of the only things that can give pool a boost mainstream is a blockbuster movie with "A" actors bringing out the dark side of pool to the mainstream. The actors have to portray the dark side of pool while getting the audience to like them...in other words hustle the mainstream public. Johnnyt

 

[JAM]

One of the only things that can give pool a boost mainstream is a blockbuster movie with "A" actors bringing out the dark side of pool to the mainstream. The actors have to portray the dark side of pool while getting the audience to like them...in other words hustle the mainstream public. Johnnyt

And though I agree with you, there will be 50 other folks to come forth and say that this image is what is hurting pool today. You can't win!

Jose Parica not being inducted into the BCA's Hall of Fame is a good example.

 

[Johnnyt]

And though I agree with you, there will be 50 other folks to come forth and say that this image is what is hurting pool today. You can't win!

Jose Parica not being inducted into the BCA's Hall of Fame is a good example.

One of the best players that knows how to promote said in an interview with (I think Inside Pool) when asked what pool needed to go mainstream, Jeanette Lee said More gambling". The dark side of pool. Johnnyt

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

Personally, the hustler / gamblers perception is what has made pool an up hill commercial battle. Take the films Hustler & Color of Money - two exceptional films, but that's it FILMS!

Art should follow Life :thumb up:
When Life follows Art... there's trouble ahead!