I think the wonderful announcement that Matchroom has taken over the WPA World 9-ball Championships (to be staged October 14-18 at a site to be determined) is something that everyone involved with pool helped eventuate.
My reason for starting this thread last April was to make sure that we all got behind Matchroom's efforts in their reconception and restaging of the US Open 9-ball. Their appetite for further investment in pro pool, I argued, would be greatly affected by how players, sponsors and fans supported their efforts at the US Open 9-ball.
It was a good sign when fans showed up at the 2019 US Open 9-ball and when so many bought the stream of the event. It was also a good sign when players signed up in droves, filling the 2020 US Open 9-ball field almost six months in advance. It was another very good sign when Matchroom significantly jacked up the added money for the 2020 US Open 9-ball.
Matchroom, our sport's premier event producer and promoter, has that good taste in their mouth that we'd all hoped for and are, consequently, now increasing their investment in pro pool by taking over the World 9-ball Championships.
As far as I'm concerned, it's a great day for pool. Thanks to Matchroom and to all those in our sport that supported their efforts to make our sport better.