This post pertains to American pool only.
A generally well-reasoned post, JUSTNUM, but I think there are those who are very serious about their demeanor and how they present themselves. I'll offer Chris Robinson as a good example. Although this wasn't always so, I also like the way Justin Bergman conducts and presents himself. These are two of the more visible American players.
Ultimately, the players must police themselves, and they won't do so until they all buy in to the need for exhibiting greater professionalism. Legend has it that New York Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio leaned hard on teammates he felt fell short in either work ethic or demeanor. Arnold Palmer is reputed to have played a role in encouraging his fellow pro golfers to project the kind of image that he knew would make his sport more marketable. As we're talking about the 1940's and 1950's here, it's not anything I remember, but when the most visible stars in any sport take it upon themselves to improve the way their fellow pros conduct themselves, it makes a big difference.
Unfortunately, pool's greatest and most visible stars have never taken it upon themselves to raise the image and level of professionalism in their sport. Imagine what an impact it would have had if SVB, the face of American pool for over a decade, were to loudly and publicly rebuke Billy Thorpe's objectionable outburst, while simultaneously requesting in earnest that his fellow American pros steer clear of such objectionable behavior. Personally, I think his fellow pro s would follow his lead.
Of course, the evidence continues to mount that the pros are happy to maintain the status quo, which will force them to continue scraping out a modest living for the imaginable future. I, for one, believe they can do much better, but first they have to want it enough. Their actions suggest they don't want it enough quite yet.
