AZBilliards Money List 2009 - depressing read

[JAM]

As a caveat to this thread, the AzBilliards Money List 2009 does not have all tournament payouts, as it is not possible for them to be aware of each one, especially some of the regional tournament events.

That said, I hope everyone who reads this forum and sees those so-called "big numbers" are aware of the expenses incurred in professional pool.

For every dollar won, you can be sure that at least a third to half of it is eaten up by expenses and/or backers and/or savers. Yes, professional players save with each other, especially friends, to help with expenses. It's kind of like a jelly roll, I guess. They are each still playing their hardest to win.

Though I am glad to see the high money payouts listed for all of us to enjoy, it is not reflective of how much money is actually pocketed by the professional player. Ask any pro, and they'll tell you the truth.

 

[woody_968]

If they want more money they need to get more sponsers, get there faces out in the general population and help make professional tournaments more desirable to average players. I know lots of apa pool players who dont know more than 2 professional pool players(allison fisher, mike massey). You need an audiance to sell something to if you want more prize money.

Good post Nate, worth a little green.

 

[Johnnyt]

lol what? who has a contract like that? no one..

and the ones that do have big contracts get it because they produce. if a team can get an X amount in revenues and the player doesn't ask for a bigger contract, the team just makes more money. The team won't lower ticket prices since they know they can get away with charging more.

furthermore, the baseball example isn't very good, those guys have to try to get as big of a contract as they can because of the major leagues rules in baseball. until u put in 6 years, u get jack all. longoria is one of the better players in the AL and he barely makes anything cuz he's only in his second year. For the first 3 years, the team can pretty much sign for as little as possible before u're eligible for arbitration but the team still owns the rights to you. only after 6 years can u become a free agent. it's not a huge problem for guys like clayton kershaw who get into the league at 20 years of age. but for others like ryan braun who enter the league at 25, by the time those 6 years are up, he'll be 31 and only have like 5-6 productive years left in him so he has to get a contract for as much as possible.

and with stuff like the actual draft and the rule 5 draft, it's easier for teams to pick up decent talent for next to nothing. so for those guys who produce, they get the money they deserve. if the money doesnt go to them, it goes to the owners, they're not going to lower ticket prices and stuff like cuz the tickets still sell at their current prices which gives them no reason to lower it.

You're right. It was a poor comparision on my part. Johnnyt

 

[boyersj]

I think comparing pool to spectator sports such as baseball, football, etc is not realistic because the nature of the sport is different. These sports are based around a world championship team with no intermediate financial reward. Additionally they are contracted and thus work for another individual as previously mentioned.

Golf and Tennis are more correct as they are a type of tournament. The primary difference between these two and Pool is in fact corporate sponsorship.

I disagree with the earlier statement corporations discourage gambling, look at the continuing popularity of poker. If pool is to become a better "professional" sport - enough earnings for more people to survive, then I believe promoters need to understand why poker has so much money involved and how to get some of those funds into pool.

I don't know the methods to accomplish this, but if/when it happens it will be the next boom in pocket billiards.

 

[Nostroke]

I think comparing pool to spectator sports such as baseball, football, etc is not realistic because the nature of the sport is different. These sports are based around a world championship team with no intermediate financial reward. Additionally they are contracted and thus work for another individual as previously mentioned.

Golf and Tennis are more correct as they are a type of tournament. The primary difference between these two and Pool is in fact corporate sponsorship.

I disagree with the earlier statement corporations discourage gambling, look at the continuing popularity of poker. If pool is to become a better "professional" sport - enough earnings for more people to survive, then I believe promoters need to understand why poker has so much money involved and how to get some of those funds into pool.

I don't know the methods to accomplish this, but if/when it happens it will be the next boom in pocket billiards.

From what I've been told, there is NO ADDED money in Poker. If you add up all the entry fees, that amount is not returned to the players. Instead there is a big cut of the entry fees taken out and kept by the Casinos. If this happened at a pool tournament the players would boycott eventually.
If there is lots of money in Poker, it doesnt appear to be going to the Players. Someone will straighten me out on this im sure. Im just repeating what i was told by a guy who occasionally plays in tournaments.