I would suggest this is way off base. The reason pool is in the state that it is now is due to pool players, the kind that actually don't play in leagues. They aren't even willing to get organized in any fashion. It's one of the few sports that you can't bet on in Vegas. The fact you can't get a line in Vegas says it all. Fixing, chopping up backers and the like, along with all of the other great things a lot of players do, well what else is to be said?
Ever watch snooker over across the pond? They are organized, don't put up with ANY fixing (banned for life) or shenannigans. Until pool gets to this point, it's going nowwhere in the form of main stream. Blame leagues all you want, but I'm not buying a word of it.
I don't believe leagues are a big problem either but, I also don't believe that players dumping or whatnot is any bigger problem than leagues are.
Name a major sport where gambling is involved and I guarantee you that particular sport is "fixed" (like pool players dump) on a regular basis, just enough to be controlled but not so much to be noticed. It's organized, so to speak...lol.
Having said that^^^^^^, I hate playing in leagues. I'm not saying all leagues suck, but I am saying every league I've encountered sucked.
On the other hand, I do like to partake in a friendly wager.
Besides, if you remove "all" of the fixes it wouldn't be a true gamble. That's why slot machines are such a big gamble. Lol....they are fixed to favor the house, the same way football, basketball, baseball etc...etc is and will remain if it's to survive.
The very second a sport can't be "controlled", well, it starts losing a little here and a little there till, well, it becomes like pool.
BTW, if you want a pure event, I advise you to get involved with pee-wee football, T-ball etc...etc. Nobody really cares to fix games at that level.....as far as I know. Lol....I could be wrong.
Jeff