A very interesting "Window’s Open" podcast dropped yesterday (November 7, 2025). There was a full conversation about Matchroom, the Mosconi Cup selection process, the debate over the fifth Team USA player, and more broadly, the feeling that Matchroom’s relationship with the American pool press and social media sphere has cooled—or at least changed.
For the first time since the Joshua Filler et al. WPA vs. WNT scheduling conflict, the sentiment shifted noticeably. Last year, many voices were critical of the players who chose to prioritize Predator or WPA events over Matchroom ones. In yesterday's podcast, though, the tone was different. There was a sense of understanding that pros are doing what’s best for their careers, longevity, and personal goals.
And that raises the question: Has Matchroom simply outgrown the American market as its center of gravity? WNT’s machine is global now. Their momentum, promotion, and talent pool is increasingly European and Asian. That’s where the new fans are, the new juniors, and the deepest pro pipelines. It’s possible that the U.S. sector of the sport just doesn’t register the same strategic importance anymore. Look at the existing lot of American pro players today. Slim pickings for the fifth Team USA member compared to Asia and Europe. I can count on one hand, sad to say, what American pro could be the fifth member of 2025 Team USA.
There’s also frustration from some American media voices and American pool fans. Not hostility, just fatigue. Communication feels inconsistent. Announcements feel last-minute. There’s a sense that input from U.S. outlets is neither sought nor valued. Personally, I’ve reached the point where I look at Matchroom the same way I look at government agencies. They’re going to do what they’re going to do. And the public reaction, good or bad, doesn’t shift their course much. Pool people, let’s be honest, can be fickle anyway.
Does Matchroom have room to improve? Absolutely. Transparency would go a long way. Respecting the U.S. media ecosystem would help. But at the end of the day, much like the purple balls and Shark-grey cloth, Matchroom is going to move according to its own vision, not community consensus.
The ball is, and likely will remain, in their court.
For the first time since the Joshua Filler et al. WPA vs. WNT scheduling conflict, the sentiment shifted noticeably. Last year, many voices were critical of the players who chose to prioritize Predator or WPA events over Matchroom ones. In yesterday's podcast, though, the tone was different. There was a sense of understanding that pros are doing what’s best for their careers, longevity, and personal goals.
And that raises the question: Has Matchroom simply outgrown the American market as its center of gravity? WNT’s machine is global now. Their momentum, promotion, and talent pool is increasingly European and Asian. That’s where the new fans are, the new juniors, and the deepest pro pipelines. It’s possible that the U.S. sector of the sport just doesn’t register the same strategic importance anymore. Look at the existing lot of American pro players today. Slim pickings for the fifth Team USA member compared to Asia and Europe. I can count on one hand, sad to say, what American pro could be the fifth member of 2025 Team USA.
There’s also frustration from some American media voices and American pool fans. Not hostility, just fatigue. Communication feels inconsistent. Announcements feel last-minute. There’s a sense that input from U.S. outlets is neither sought nor valued. Personally, I’ve reached the point where I look at Matchroom the same way I look at government agencies. They’re going to do what they’re going to do. And the public reaction, good or bad, doesn’t shift their course much. Pool people, let’s be honest, can be fickle anyway.
Does Matchroom have room to improve? Absolutely. Transparency would go a long way. Respecting the U.S. media ecosystem would help. But at the end of the day, much like the purple balls and Shark-grey cloth, Matchroom is going to move according to its own vision, not community consensus.
The ball is, and likely will remain, in their court.
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