To me it appears that the Women are on the right path to have some semblance of rhyme or reason to get pool recognized by the public. They have various Open tournaments throughout the States, the only one I really am familiar with is the Spirit Tour in central Florida, where the women can compete on a regular basis. The best in these tournaments then can move up to the WPBA where they can compete against the very best and have the chance of being on TV. That is a great carrot to hold in front of them to strive for excellence and keep competing.
Then you look at the men. They have various Open tournaments where they can compete, Tom Kennedy's for one, but if they move to the top there is really no place for them to go to receive national prominance. No promise of being on TV and the lucrative sponsor contracts that can bring. If a person plays in one of these Open tournaments and comes in 9-12 he may win $65. But it cost him $50 for the entrance fee, overnight expense, travel expense, and two days out of his life. So it sure is not financially rewarding. Then of course the person who wins these Open tournaments is then challanged by some top player who just happened to finish 5th or lower but ends up taking the winners winnings plus more.
Gambling is where it's at for the top men players.
Charlie Williams had a pretty good idea when he formed the UPA but unfortunately he tried to do too much, too fast, and kept shooting himself in the foot. As a result he has alienated fans, players, and pool hall owners. But he has the foundation for forming a very good professional league. Just look at the players who will play for him. The Predator Tournament last year at Pro Billiards, or the Patriot Cup in Tampa are prime examples. All the current top guns were willing to play for him.
If the powers to be could pattern the UPA after the WPBA, as far as having monthly (almost) tournaments, and a recognized ranking system then Professional Pool might have a chance in the USA. And excluding Earl Strickland from the UPA is just plain assinine. Just think of all the fans (money) you are losing who would love to come and badger poor old Earl. LOL And remember, if you want to move pool up to the status that it deserves then you have to play to the audiance - the fans. that is where the money comes from. that's who the sponsors really care about.
Just my observations.
Jake
Then you look at the men. They have various Open tournaments where they can compete, Tom Kennedy's for one, but if they move to the top there is really no place for them to go to receive national prominance. No promise of being on TV and the lucrative sponsor contracts that can bring. If a person plays in one of these Open tournaments and comes in 9-12 he may win $65. But it cost him $50 for the entrance fee, overnight expense, travel expense, and two days out of his life. So it sure is not financially rewarding. Then of course the person who wins these Open tournaments is then challanged by some top player who just happened to finish 5th or lower but ends up taking the winners winnings plus more.
Gambling is where it's at for the top men players.
Charlie Williams had a pretty good idea when he formed the UPA but unfortunately he tried to do too much, too fast, and kept shooting himself in the foot. As a result he has alienated fans, players, and pool hall owners. But he has the foundation for forming a very good professional league. Just look at the players who will play for him. The Predator Tournament last year at Pro Billiards, or the Patriot Cup in Tampa are prime examples. All the current top guns were willing to play for him.
If the powers to be could pattern the UPA after the WPBA, as far as having monthly (almost) tournaments, and a recognized ranking system then Professional Pool might have a chance in the USA. And excluding Earl Strickland from the UPA is just plain assinine. Just think of all the fans (money) you are losing who would love to come and badger poor old Earl. LOL And remember, if you want to move pool up to the status that it deserves then you have to play to the audiance - the fans. that is where the money comes from. that's who the sponsors really care about.
Just my observations.
Jake
If I were the Pool God, that's how it would be.