Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. Oops! I meant friends, Americans, countrymen, lend me your ears. American pool is at a crossroads.
Next week, Matchroom Sports will be rolling the dice on an open event in the United States, namely the US Open 9-ball, something that would have been hard to see coming. Anyone who attended Barry Hearn's BCA Hall of Fame induction in 2013 and heard his speech about a) how pool gets so little respect in America and b) how poorly pro pool is received by the American media, must be very pleasantly surprised. Matchroom's takeover of the US Open is a breath of fresh air and a possible turning point for pool in America.
.... but what will Matchroom's experience be in its new venture? The naive will feel that Matchroom’s success is in their hands alone. On this forum especially, every time an event proves financially unsustainable, the event producers are, quite shortsightedly, blamed in full for poor administration and marketing.
The greater truth is that the actions of fans, players and sponsors will figure in whether Matchroom is successful.
Why Fans, Players, and Sponsors Matter
The Fans Can Make a Difference
Fans are limited by their own time constraints and finances, but those that can afford to attend Matchroom events should consider doing so. Those that prefer to buy the stream should do so. We the fans need to support Matchroom to the max while it grows this event. We're already a little off course, as on this forum, I've already read some complaints that the added money isn't higher. The added money will grow if the event grows, and that's as it should be. Patience, please.
The Players Can and Will Make a Difference
The players need to support Matchroom in every possible way. When it comes to this kind of support for event producers, the players only offer their support and cooperation some of the time.
Who can forget the way that the pros, wrapping themselves in the flag of their player union, opted not to support a high prize fund event that, I believe, was called the Ultimate 10-ball, dooming it to failure and eventual extinction?
The players, similarly, gave CSI little support in running its superb 10-ball event at the Rio, with Rodney Morris kicking up more than his share of the trouble. The event no longer exists.
The players tried to strong arm Allen Hopkins into jacking up the prize money at Super Billiards Expo and the result is that prize money was reduced. The event lost some of its prestige.
No doubt, the players feel that they always support the event producers who roll the dice on pool, but this simply isn't true. They, similarly, don’t think their actions do any harm, but they are, once again, mistaken. Will they support Matchroom or will they, as a group, harass Matchroom by whining about added money, rules, event format or playing conditions while Matchroom tries to grow the US Open? Well, we shall see.
The Sponsors Can Make a Difference
Will sponsors get behind the efforts of Matchroom in America? If they do, they will improve Matchroom's prospects for financial success.
Conclusion
We must all get behind Matchroom in their new venture. As fans, professional players and potential sponsors, we can help their chances of having a good experience with the US Open 9-ball event in this country. The quality of Matchroom’s experience will influence their appetite for further investment in pool in America.
Are we all smart enough to support Matchroom or not? Time will tell but I sure hope so.
Next week, Matchroom Sports will be rolling the dice on an open event in the United States, namely the US Open 9-ball, something that would have been hard to see coming. Anyone who attended Barry Hearn's BCA Hall of Fame induction in 2013 and heard his speech about a) how pool gets so little respect in America and b) how poorly pro pool is received by the American media, must be very pleasantly surprised. Matchroom's takeover of the US Open is a breath of fresh air and a possible turning point for pool in America.
.... but what will Matchroom's experience be in its new venture? The naive will feel that Matchroom’s success is in their hands alone. On this forum especially, every time an event proves financially unsustainable, the event producers are, quite shortsightedly, blamed in full for poor administration and marketing.
The greater truth is that the actions of fans, players and sponsors will figure in whether Matchroom is successful.
Why Fans, Players, and Sponsors Matter
The Fans Can Make a Difference
Fans are limited by their own time constraints and finances, but those that can afford to attend Matchroom events should consider doing so. Those that prefer to buy the stream should do so. We the fans need to support Matchroom to the max while it grows this event. We're already a little off course, as on this forum, I've already read some complaints that the added money isn't higher. The added money will grow if the event grows, and that's as it should be. Patience, please.
The Players Can and Will Make a Difference
The players need to support Matchroom in every possible way. When it comes to this kind of support for event producers, the players only offer their support and cooperation some of the time.
Who can forget the way that the pros, wrapping themselves in the flag of their player union, opted not to support a high prize fund event that, I believe, was called the Ultimate 10-ball, dooming it to failure and eventual extinction?
The players, similarly, gave CSI little support in running its superb 10-ball event at the Rio, with Rodney Morris kicking up more than his share of the trouble. The event no longer exists.
The players tried to strong arm Allen Hopkins into jacking up the prize money at Super Billiards Expo and the result is that prize money was reduced. The event lost some of its prestige.
No doubt, the players feel that they always support the event producers who roll the dice on pool, but this simply isn't true. They, similarly, don’t think their actions do any harm, but they are, once again, mistaken. Will they support Matchroom or will they, as a group, harass Matchroom by whining about added money, rules, event format or playing conditions while Matchroom tries to grow the US Open? Well, we shall see.
The Sponsors Can Make a Difference
Will sponsors get behind the efforts of Matchroom in America? If they do, they will improve Matchroom's prospects for financial success.
Conclusion
We must all get behind Matchroom in their new venture. As fans, professional players and potential sponsors, we can help their chances of having a good experience with the US Open 9-ball event in this country. The quality of Matchroom’s experience will influence their appetite for further investment in pool in America.
Are we all smart enough to support Matchroom or not? Time will tell but I sure hope so.
