Seeing as how I can't sleep I might as well write my manifesto on the who's who of pool promoters in the US (because I don't care about the rest of the world. Merica. Insert pic of bald eagle with machine guns here)
Barry Behrman is on his last legs. He had a great run but it is what it is. Allen Hopkins deserves a lot of respect for the expo but he does one pro event a year and it now pays two dimes more than TAR does for a weekend challenge match in part thanks to Charlie Williams. I suppose an honorable mention could be given to Matt Braun for his ESPN events but those have wained considerably in the recent years.
Barry Hearn won't touch pool in the US with a ten foot poll. Once a year he needs a tv cast and that doesnt pay what it used to. Although the fact that they chose not to rely on BCA points this year, thereby making them completely meaningless does make a good point for arguing he has some power in the US.
Charlie has burned through most sponsors/donors/partners that he did large events with. He is doing stuff in pool rooms now every once in awhile when he finds a little money and the occasional tv deal in asia for whoever is in his clique at the time. When he's not helping get $25K added events turned into $8K added events. To his credit he managed to resurrect the 14.1 thing but I attribute that as much to Mr. Fedak (sp?) who puts up the dough. Also Cindy Lee has been making Charlie look good for a lot of years behind the scenes.
Pat Fleming is in the Hall of Fame for a reason. A case could be made that what he did with Accu-Stats is a big reason pro pool is around in the US right now. Don't believe me go find a pro player, fan or promoter under forty who says Pats videos haven't inspired them or fed their desire for the game. IMO its a way bigger deal than most people consider or give credit for. But...Pat doesn't actually produce that many events himself. Its not a knock. He does one or two a year not counting small stuff and not every year. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pat but again it is what it is when it comes to putting on events.
This brings us to Larry Chiborak who single handedly has caused more promoters and players headaches than anyone since Trudeau. Most of those headaches are related to simple lack of communication about scheduling...and the seeming inability to hire a plumber,electrician and dry wall guy. If you put a lot of weight on being able to shake things up from the norm then Chiborak is right at the top of the list. He also has paid out more for guys to show up and do nothing than Charlie has paid out in the last couple years. So he has that going for him. If/when Bonus Ball actually starts then he will have a lot of players tied to him so for the near future in the US. Chiborak is right at the top of people who will have a real affect on pro pool in the US. Whether it is good or bad remains to be seen.
So with all of the above said consider this.....
If Mark Griffin decides to go back to Alaska to ride grizzly bears or whatever they do up there, Mike Zuglan decides he has had enough and Greg Sullivan decides to move to the UK and build the worlds best dart boards then you can pretty much throw the last shovel full of dirt on pro pool in the United States.
Three dudes. Who without them pro pool in the US is gone. Those three men are responsible for eight "pro events" (another oxymoron) a year. I wouldnt call it power. I would call it "I hope those guys don't take up golf or get hit by a bus."
So I now give you my final ranking list of people who make things happen that affect the most players and fans in the pro pool industry. It is based solely on my opinion which obviously means its 100% correct.
I know I will take shit for my number one spot but I didn't put Mark there because he's my friend and business partner. Look at the entirety of what CSI does in the US with and for pro pool and I think its a legit call. I do love to argue though so lets hear it.
While the above list is put together with some thought and reasoning behind it I it meant mainly as way to stir up some discussion...if someone wants to really know who the most powerful person in pro pool in the US is I will tell you. It's the fans. Sounds hokey right? Its true though. The guy who goes to Derby every year and buys a TV seat. The people who just paid $300 to sponsor the Accu-Stats event. The people who buy all of the online PPV's from TAR, BigTruck and Accu-Stats. The people who always buy a seat to sweat the pro's at any tournament they are at. Without the people willing to put up with all the bullshit surrounding pro pool and still support it by spending money then anything a promoter does is meaningless.
