You know what's interesting about this thread that blossomed into 8,000 hits in less than a 24-hour period? Americans here arguing about whether to get vaccinated to not. Americans now criticizing Matchroom and Emily Frazer, professionally speaking, that they suck for not letting Earl play, and by golly, let's all boycott Matchroom and not watch the Mosconi Cup. The new tables and gray cloth suck a big weeny, and the pockets aren't tight enough. No, wait. The pockets are too tight.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, you do not hear this negative vitriolic chatter coming from the Europeans or anywhere else in the world for that matter about Matchroom, Emily Frazer, and the Mosconi Cup? Nope. They're grateful to have professional pool showcased the way Matchroom does it.
Matchroom is the best thing to happen to American pool in a long time. They are planning on hosting more events for pro players and have even added the UK Open Championship next year, a simulation of the US Open Championship. For the first time in a very long time, professional pool has been given a chance to grow. And what to Americans do? Bite the hand that's trying to effect a change for the better—no, not bite the hand. Stomp it, rip it apart, and do everything we can to destroy the Matchroom mission.
If I was Matchroom, I'd concentrate on a market where professional pool has a chance to grow and flourish. Unfortunately—and it hurts me to say this—the United States market is not conducive to professional pool anymore, and Matchroom should eliminate United States events from here on in. They should treat professional pool like they do snooker and ban Americans from even watching it. If American pool wasn't circling the drain before this Mosconi Cup, it's now making it way to a permanent self-destruction. USA, all the way down the crapper!
Enjoy the leagues and regional tours in USA because that's all there is hope for in the future. Professional pool is dead in the water.