WPA vs Matchroom agreement reached
- Thread starter marek
- Start date
It's about time.
WPA has, at long last, decided to no longer obstruct pool's growth, and it must be assumed that the Asian Federation and all other Federations will go along with the decision to discontinue selectively banning players from competition. Good luck and thanks to the WPA, the Asian Federation, and all the WPA member federations for tending to pool's best interests here.
It's a happy day for the each of the players, regardless of where their loyalties lay in the past, as earning prospects have improved.
It's also a good day for cue sponsors, whose sponsored players can compete with the sponsor's brand more often in highly visible events.
It's a good day for the fans, as pro pool can return to a world in which pool's majors consistently give us the greatest fields in the history of the game, as was the case in 2023, when the majors sometimes had as many as 40 players carrying a Fargo of 800+.
It's a good day for the pro pool product, which will resume bringing the most elite players from all over the world together in one place.
It is a good day for Predator, which has invested heavily in pro pool event production and sponsorship. while being denied access to far too many of the game's most elite players.
It is a good day for Matchroom, pool's greatest visionary, which has committed great time, skill and money to the furtherance of pro pool as a sport and can now focus on growing the game without having to watch its back for those who would impede their progress.
... and finally, it's a good day for me, because I care so deeply about the pro pool tournament scene. Suddenly, I can expect a breathtaking field at pool's next majors, the Florida Open and the US Open 9ball, and I will do everything in my power to attend both of them.
WPA has, at long last, decided to no longer obstruct pool's growth, and it must be assumed that the Asian Federation and all other Federations will go along with the decision to discontinue selectively banning players from competition. Good luck and thanks to the WPA, the Asian Federation, and all the WPA member federations for tending to pool's best interests here.
It's a happy day for the each of the players, regardless of where their loyalties lay in the past, as earning prospects have improved.
It's also a good day for cue sponsors, whose sponsored players can compete with the sponsor's brand more often in highly visible events.
It's a good day for the fans, as pro pool can return to a world in which pool's majors consistently give us the greatest fields in the history of the game, as was the case in 2023, when the majors sometimes had as many as 40 players carrying a Fargo of 800+.
It's a good day for the pro pool product, which will resume bringing the most elite players from all over the world together in one place.
It is a good day for Predator, which has invested heavily in pro pool event production and sponsorship. while being denied access to far too many of the game's most elite players.
It is a good day for Matchroom, pool's greatest visionary, which has committed great time, skill and money to the furtherance of pro pool as a sport and can now focus on growing the game without having to watch its back for those who would impede their progress.
... and finally, it's a good day for me, because I care so deeply about the pro pool tournament scene. Suddenly, I can expect a breathtaking field at pool's next majors, the Florida Open and the US Open 9ball, and I will do everything in my power to attend both of them.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
All fine and good, but what the heck is the actual agreement?
I don't think that is for us to know.
nope, and I can't imagine why we think we should.
While I would have been completely content with the WPA being resigned to governing 'amateur pool'. I guess this is good news on some level. As long as they continue to be a non-factor as to how pool grows and stay out of the way of those with vested interest, this can be a good thing.
I applaud Matchroom for being willing to play with pool's retarded cousin for sake of the greater good.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
Oh, I don't know. Maybe because many countries participating in sports regulated under the IOC umbrella are able draw in tax funding as a result of it?
moot
The bigger news is whether or not this means the WPA are accepting the WNT rankings as the official standard. Which if memory serves, was the breaking point of their original understanding
who cares about that? this is great news for pool. why sweat details that may/may not exist? does it effect anyone on here?? no.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
It doesn't really matter I suppose, I'm just curious. What I'd really like to know is if it is the German court decision that is really what is going on, just to rub it in their faces.
Details can and I suspect will be worked out in an ongoing manner now that an agreement has been reached to work together rather than try to wrest power from each other and be in sole control. I'm sure we haven't seen the end of power struggles but hopefully they will be conducted in a more civilized manner instead of tearing at each other and putting the competitors in the middle.
Whatever the reason, working together and ending competitors punished for competing where best for them is a great thing! Nobody should have to sit home because of politics.
Hu
Whatever the reason, working together and ending competitors punished for competing where best for them is a great thing! Nobody should have to sit home because of politics.
Hu
Badpenguin
Well-known member
It could affect some American's chances to get into the World Games.
I think this is only important for the World (9-ball) Championship, which the WPA owns and Matchroom produces. I think the major conflicts there are the WPA wanting some players entered who are not in the WNT and Matchroom wanting WNT players entered who are not nominated by continental confederations. I hope the agreement resolves that conflict.
There is also the issue of combining/coordinating the schedules.
In the present format, there are only 16 players in each of the four disciplines at the World Games. Since there is no prize money (so far as I know), it seems to come down to the strongest two or three players who want to go. The BCA provides no financial support for players to go to tournaments.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
There are also drug testing requirements that might come.
That's a good point. I wonder what will happen there.
Usually a major issue. There just aren't that many prime dates. One solution might be rotating who controls each major weekend from year to year. If it was known well in advance it shouldn't cause much confusion. Maybe have all three and four day weekends like this.
I haven't really kept up with this fight. Saw that as usual the competitors were the ones getting the gooey end of the stick!
Hu
I honestly don't see a problem with competitive products on the same dates. The competition forces event holders to make their event the more enticing option.
did they ever go away?