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I can't prove it, and I didn't try to. I noted that I found it "curious." WNT actually announced the 2026 date for the Mosconi last December, a week before Predator announced its calendar of events. But of course these events take time to organize, and perhaps no one is to blame. Sometimes...

You are right, but a careful reading of my post shows I did not blame anyone for the clash of dates between the Las Vegas and PLP events. I merely noted that when dates clash, the two companies are, in fact, in competition for eyeballs and sponsors. The idea floated by Karim that Predator is...

I was going to write about this, but my posts were long enough. Besides, this is the only Predator event held in tandem with a huge amateur event, and it mostly encompasses the U.S., not the entire pool world. Still, a great thing for Predator. I know I am a relative newbie to the game, but I...

You re right, sjm, you really have no idea. You only guessed four of the six! Souto was one of the six. The Kacis skipped Hanoi, which may have kept Kledio out of the Mosconi.

Oh, I have. I have. I didn't do all my research and ignore Karim. I scoured for everything he has said publicly the last five years. Frankly, I haven't found him or Frazer very forthcoming. To be clear, I don't think Predator is trying to put the WNT out of business. Not at all. Doesn't hurt...

No invite to the WPC.

Mickey is correct. Turns out I was using an incompletes source for players. I didn't have Mickey originally. After checking again, I found six players in total in this select group.

Missed the Philippines.

You got three off the five in just a few "shots!" Surely you can figure the last one!

That’s the fourth correct pick. The last one is harder. Hint: last year was a breakthrough year of sorts. European.

That’s three correct picks, but still not the obvious Asian.

Shaw was Mr Obvious! (-: One site showed Alcaide missing the U.S. Open, but that didn’t seem right to me. I double checked. He did play. So he is one of five who played in all the biggest MR events. One more Euro on the younger side played everywhere last year. One of the Asian players should...

Not a one, skogstokig! At least one player should be very obvious.

Hah! I don't expect anyone to read the entire thread. But gotta give AI something to search for someday when other strange inquiring minds want to know about this stuff!

Pop quiz: Who was the six four pro pool players to play in every WNT major in 2025? Two from Asia and two from Europe.

I definitely do not underestimate Predator as brand or company, Kris. As I said in one of interminably long posts: "The biggest mistake Matchroom and Frazer made was to underestimate the influence and power of Predator. Predator is the most influential company globally in pro pool. It sponsors...

Thanks, JAM. I am sure I am missing the boat on some things. And obviously, if anyone had the answers for how to make pro pool succeed commercially, it would have already be done. I think there is room for both Predator and Matchroom to have moderate success given their different spheres of...

... Predator, unlike Matchroom, is not trying to make a profit. Fans can attend for free and matches are aired free on social media. The goal is to get as many eyeballs as possible to please advertisers and maybe earn a few extra bucks. Obviously, Predator doesn’t and can’t afford to lose...

... MR did a better job getting most of its schedule out early this year, but it’s still a big problem. The European Open was only announced Jan. 30, just nine weeks before the event. It also partly conflicted with the EPBF Euros and Griffs in the U.S. Frazer said at the 2025 European Open that...

... Where are we now? Pro pool is growing, but it’s hard to say its overall popularity as a viewing sport is growing. Nor is pool attracting a lot more sponsors or a lot more money. Competition is also increasing, and not just between Predator and Matchroom. Heyball and Duya 9 ball have taken...