Jerry Forsyth
Well-known member
I see a lot of threads on the boards that condemn the IPT as the 800-pd gorilla that is crushing other promoters. But I see it differently. Just as Efren raised the level of play for the men and Allison did for the ladies, the IPT is just raising the bar.
The future is far from dim for other event planners. They can learn from what Trudeau is doing and adapt his techniques to improve their own events. For one thing, the IPT makes no bones about the role of television exposure. They know it is crucial for success.
Other promoters may not have the resources to beam their events around the world on regular TV, but technology is fast bringing us the day when our televisions and computers interact seamlessly. Soon we will all be able to use our remotes to choose between standard cable programs or internet programs. Promoters will be able reach a huge audience by just mounting a single camera at the foot end of the table and an overhead. No commentators are really required. You don't have commentators when you are at an event and they are not missed.
As technology eases and cheapens this process all promoters will be able to gain the exposure required to draw the sponsors needed to compete with IPT paydays.
I see the IPT as much as a blessing as a threat to existing tournaments. Competition is always good for business. It makes you improve your product and explore new markets. It eliminates laziness and rewards creativity. Short-term conflicts may wound and even eradicate some tours but their absence will soon be filled by others. Perhaps we can look forward to a new age of pool.
As for the danger of Trudeau branding his players and forbidding them from playing in other events, well, that is what I would do if I were him. But if he succeeds in his efforts he will inspire young players to work and improve and other tours will have a large field of future stars to develop around. And there are ways to draw players and fans to new arenas. I, for one, would love to see the old idea of World Team Billiards revived. I would like to cheer a four-player Team America against Team China or Team Germany. Trudeau cannot possibly cover all the possible bases of interest out there and so I see lots of room available for those with the imagination to create events of interest.
For me, I hope to see all promoters succeed. When promoters make money the players also make money and the fans are treated to the best experience. Best of luck to all of them and all of you.
I hope to live to see the day when pool has erased the ridiculous stigma it has carried since the depression and is recognized as the beautiful marriage of art, tactics and geometry that it truly is. May you as well.
As I prepare to post this I cannot help but wonder if it will bring the body-slammers out of the woodwork. I fail to understand the joy that so many seem to gain by attempting to humiliate others.
The future is far from dim for other event planners. They can learn from what Trudeau is doing and adapt his techniques to improve their own events. For one thing, the IPT makes no bones about the role of television exposure. They know it is crucial for success.
Other promoters may not have the resources to beam their events around the world on regular TV, but technology is fast bringing us the day when our televisions and computers interact seamlessly. Soon we will all be able to use our remotes to choose between standard cable programs or internet programs. Promoters will be able reach a huge audience by just mounting a single camera at the foot end of the table and an overhead. No commentators are really required. You don't have commentators when you are at an event and they are not missed.
As technology eases and cheapens this process all promoters will be able to gain the exposure required to draw the sponsors needed to compete with IPT paydays.
I see the IPT as much as a blessing as a threat to existing tournaments. Competition is always good for business. It makes you improve your product and explore new markets. It eliminates laziness and rewards creativity. Short-term conflicts may wound and even eradicate some tours but their absence will soon be filled by others. Perhaps we can look forward to a new age of pool.
As for the danger of Trudeau branding his players and forbidding them from playing in other events, well, that is what I would do if I were him. But if he succeeds in his efforts he will inspire young players to work and improve and other tours will have a large field of future stars to develop around. And there are ways to draw players and fans to new arenas. I, for one, would love to see the old idea of World Team Billiards revived. I would like to cheer a four-player Team America against Team China or Team Germany. Trudeau cannot possibly cover all the possible bases of interest out there and so I see lots of room available for those with the imagination to create events of interest.
For me, I hope to see all promoters succeed. When promoters make money the players also make money and the fans are treated to the best experience. Best of luck to all of them and all of you.
I hope to live to see the day when pool has erased the ridiculous stigma it has carried since the depression and is recognized as the beautiful marriage of art, tactics and geometry that it truly is. May you as well.
As I prepare to post this I cannot help but wonder if it will bring the body-slammers out of the woodwork. I fail to understand the joy that so many seem to gain by attempting to humiliate others.
