Thanks to Pat for everything he has done and continues to do for pool.
Matchroom's acquisition of the US Open is, as Pat suggests, exciting and let's hope that the players work with Barry Hearn, rather than in an adversarial "I/we want it this way or I/we won't participate" manner.
Matchroom's great success is due to giving the spectators (live and on internet) what they want, whether it's what the players prefer or not. That's why Matchroom draws more spectators than any other producer of pool events.
The American players, who so often take the adversarial path, need to check their egos at the door to ensure that Barry Hearn, who can pull the plug on this event at a moment's notice, has a positive experience in producing this event. If they don't, the US Open remains on the path toward extinction.
Finally, the Behrmans developed and grew this event, and they will always be part of its history, but their day has come and gone and I don't see it as necessary for them to weigh in on any of these developments. Their place in history is assured and we should all be grateful to them for their contribution to our sport. .... but, in the words of the great Greek philosopher Herodotus, the past is history.