Billiard Sponsor List

Colin Colenso

Colin Colenso

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am researching a list of previous sponsors of billiards. The list I have so far is pasted below.

Please add any other sponsors that you know about including any links or details such as event or amount.

Beer
San Miguel (Asian 9-ball tour)http://www.espnstar.com/jsp/cda/asian9ball/asian9ball_index.html
Fosters
Anheuser-Busch (AmberBock brand) http://www.azbilliards.com/2000pressrelease.cfm?id=168
Budweiser http://www.azbilliards.com/2000pressrelease.cfm?id=118 and http://www.thebilliardstour.com/images/budweiser.jpg
Hasseroder Premium Beer http://ladiesfloridatour.net/2000storya.cfm?storynum=270
Miller Light

Spirits
Jim Beam http://www.scottishpool.com/article.php?sid=53&mode=&order=0
Cuervo
Beefetters Gin
Seagrams 7
Bacardi

Cigarettes
Camel http://www.thebilliardstour.com/images/jcamel.jpg
Admiral
Embassy
Winfield
Imperial Tobacco
Peter Jackson

Electronics
LG
LG Flatron
Dell Computers
DBTel (Mobile Phone)

Consumer Goods
Amway
Red Bull (Asian Professional Billiard Elite Challenge (Shenzhen, China 2003))
Coalite (UK's largest seller of smokeless Coal (for home fires))
Doritos

Non-alcoholic Drinks
Highland Spring (Bottled Water) http://www.highlandspring.com/media/sponsorship.asp
7 Up http://www.thebilliardstour.com/images/7upad.jpg
Dr.Pepper

Cars
Lada

Clothing
Levi's 501 Jeans
Daphne Shoes
Naturalizer Shoes
Maidenform Bra

B2B
Travis Perkins (UK's Largest Supplier of Building Materials)

Others
Empire Poker www.pokermillions.com
MGM Casino www.mosconicup.com
Many Billiard Equipment Suppliers, Hotels, Airlines, Pool Venues, Television Stations, Billiard Magazines and Billiard Websites and Billiard Video Games

Any others that you know of, especially major brands would be greatly appreciated.

Colin Colenso
www.hamcorp.com
 
Bump...

Surely some of you guys know of some decent sponsors of some US pool events.

Please share the resource as I am to help us pool promoters stand a better chance of attracting sponsors to the game and to attract Ad agencies to want to sell pool as a marketable sport.

Thanks in anticipation...Colin
 
Colin, this is the problem with American pool, the lack of interested sponsors.

However, there are, thankfully, a few loyal ones:

Diamond Billiards Products, www.diamondbilliard.com
(Greg Sullivan, main man and promoter of Derby City Classic)
Aramith Pool Balls, www.aramith.com
Simonis Cloth, www.simonis.com
Sardo Tight Rack
Accu-Stats Video Productions, www.accustats.com
(Pat Fleming, a true pioneer, producers of video and DVD pool
matches of major events)
Billiard Club Television, www.billiardclub.net
(Ron Sykora, another true pioneer, bringing pool to American
television)
Viking Cues
(promotes Viking Tour, Mike Janis, tournament director,
www.vikingcue.com website)
Joss Cues
(promotes Joss Tour, Mike Zuglan, tournament director)
Predator Cues, www.predatorcues.com
(promotes pool players for selected events)
Talisman Billiards Accessories, Limited
(www.talismanbilliards.com website)
Tip-Pick Products
(couldn't find their website, but is a loyal sponsor)
Falcon Cues
(sponsors Karen Corr and promotes Falcon Cue Tour,
www.falconcuetour.com website)
Seminole Tribe of Florida
(sponsors Corey Deuel and Vivian Villirreal and will be
promoting several MAJOR upcoming tournaments, hopefully
in 2004, good contact for you here)
Sterling Gaming
(Fury cues and other products)
Cuetec
(sponsors Earl Strickland)
Puyat Sports
(sponsors Francisco Bustamante and Efren Reyes)
Fantasy 9 Ball, www.fantasy9ball.com
(Brady Behrman, owner, and pool player's best friend)
Sigels Unlimited Cues, www.sigelscues.com
(Mike Sigel, Hall of Famer owner)
Quick-Clean
(Dave Hodges, owner, and sponsor of Ralf Souquet)

The Billiards Congress of America -- www.bca-pool.com -- has a list of industry representatives on their website that may be helpful to you. The website is very informative, and in my personal opinion, I think the American pool public should be utilizing this established organization with its rich history a little bit more. It would have been helpful to have this organization involved in the postponed Million-Dollar Tournament -- www.rightactionmanagement.com -- that was to be held in Las Vegas, but was postponed due to lack of pool players willing to post $10,000 as an entry fee in advance of the event.

I can't believe I am the one to post this, but the United Professional Poolplayers Association -- www.upatour.com -- is a newly formed men's pool organization attempting to help promote pool in America. If you are lucky enough to get a response, hopefully they will not deem it necessary to charge you for their assistance, but they may be able to provide some helpful information as well to assist you in your future endeavors.

Hope this helps.

ManlyShot
 
Last edited:
Thanks Manly Shot,

I appreciate you taking the time to help.

Unfortunately, that list of US sponsors won't raise a blink from an advertising agency because they are mostly industry related. Beer and Ciggies are almost in thesame category.

Surely some guys out there know of some larger companies who have probed into pool.

Here is my current list for those interested:

Beers
San Miguel (Asian 9-ball tour)http://www.espnstar.com/jsp/cda/asian9ball/asian9ball_index.html
Fosters
Anheuser-Busch (AmberBock brand) http://www.azbilliards.com/2000pressrelease.cfm?id=168
Budweiser http://www.azbilliards.com/2000pressrelease.cfm?id=118
Hasseroder Premium Beer http://ladiesfloridatour.net/2000storya.cfm?storynum=270
Miller Light

Spirits
Langs Supreme Whiskey http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_rsm.htm
Jim Beam http://www.scottishpool.com/article.php?sid=53&mode=&order=0
Cuervo
Beefetters Gin
Seagrams 7
Bacardi

Cigarettes
Benson and Hedges (27 years) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bh.htm
Regal (13 years snooker) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_rsm.htm
Camel http://www.thebilliardstour.com/images/jcamel.jpg
Rothmans http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_gp.htm
555 http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_asia.htm
Embassy (World Snooker Championship)
Winfield (World Multi-Cue Events in Australia)
Imperial Tobacco (Women's World Snooker Championship)
Peter Jackson (Australian Pool Championship)

Electronics
LG http://www.lge.co.uk/mod_perl/go.pl/site/news/newstory.htm?uid=167
LG Flatron http://www.azbilliards.com/2000storya.cfm?storynum=1361
Yamaha Organs http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Dell Computers
DBTel (Mobile Phone) (Used 9 ball for advertising)

Other Consumer Goods
Amway http://www.azbilliards.com/amway2002/yukawa.html
Red Bull (Asian Professional Billiard Elite Challenge (Shenzhen, China 2003))
Coalite (UK's largest seller of smokeless Coal (for home fires))
Motolite (Car Batteries) http://www.motolite.com/events.htm
Doritos

Non-alcoholic Drinks
Highland Spring (Bottled Water) http://www.highlandspring.com/media/sponsorship.asp
7 Up http://www.thebilliardstour.com/images/7upad.jpg
Dr. Pepper

Cars
Lada (UK Snooker Sponsor in the 80's)
Skoda http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_gp.htm

Clothing
Daphne Shoes (Women's Tour in China) http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/2003-11-10/1159651977.shtml
Dr. Martens (Snooker Premier League)
Levi's 501 Jeans
Naturalizer Shoes
Maidenform Bra

Trade
Travis Perkins (UK's Largest Supplier of Building Materials, current major Snooker Sponsor)
Powerhouse (UK’s leading Electrical Supplier)
Stormseal (UK Roofing) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
ICI (Chemicals, Paints) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_euro.htm
Tulip Paints http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_euro.htm
Dulux Paints http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Anglian Windows http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Wickes Home Improvements http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm


Bookmakers/Casinos
Coral http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
MGM Casino www.mosconicup.com
Empire Poker (World Pool Championships) www.pokermillions.com
Stan James http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm


Insurance/Banking
Royal Liver Assurance http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
Liverpool Victoria Assurance (Source as above)
MIM Britannia http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Pearl Assurance http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm



Others
Many Billiard Equipment Suppliers, Hotels, Airlines, Pool Venues, Television Stations, Billiard Magazines and Billiard Websites and Billiard Video Games

Unknown
Tennants http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
Castella http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm

Comments
Short summary of Sponsorship Reasons for the most significant sponsors of billiards.

Amway: Popular Taiwan Sport, Growing Sport, Pool Has Positive Image Globally, Can upgrade product images through pool and beautiful women players of various nations, represents global love and care, players show competence and versatility and superior to most men who play indicating a positive and strong value for Amway products. (Sponsored Taiwan Women's 9 ball Events)

LG: Popular Sport, Large Exposure, Fans have broad profile and perfectly suit LG target consumers, the game and players represent dedication and commitment to the highest quality. (Snooker major sponsor over 20M RMB also 9 Ball sponsor in Philippines)

San Miguel: Bienvenido Pierre Niles III, brand manager – International Market, San Miguel Beer Division said: "San Miguel and ESPN Star Sports have the same vision. We see the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour as a venue not only to bring out the competitive spirit in the players across Asia but also to foster camaraderie and better relations between the Asian nations. San Miguel's support for different sports programs – from basketball, boxing and now billiards – goes a long way, but always has been pegged on one purpose: to promote sportsmanship to a higher level." (ESPN's Asian 9-Ball Tour 2003)
 
Thanks Harry,
Good to see you again and get those sources.

I am a little suprised that US hasn't drawn any/many well known brands. Of course the sport need more TV, and TV needs big events, which is a catch 22, but pool needs to be pushed by advertising agency types to make it attractive to the major brands. I think it will happen, but maybe not until the Asians and Europeans have taken the lead in marketing this sport.

I wasn't looking for expert advice, nor sponsors, just for you guys who like pool and follow the game to recollect some of the sponsors who have taken a risk on the game.

Anyway...I've got a fair list now...thanks all for your input. ANyone my contact me if they want to discuss this type of information or get anupdate of the data I have collected.

Best Regards,
Colin
Gremlin said:
Colin,

One more point is that you won't find any members of the boards of major corporations in this 900 member billiard forum unless they are fans and a few players. Nothing here but fans and our cue makers. LOL Some very nice players too.

I don't see DK of New York running any adds in Billiard Digest any time soon sorry to say even though the beautiful ladies of the WPBA would be great models. Sorry to say no movers and shakers in this billiard forum.

Cheers,

Gremlin
Click to expand...
 
Gremlin said:
And most tournaments are held in smoke filled poolrooms with not enough light to take a decent photo let alone have TV coverage.
Click to expand...

Gremlin, you are right about the lighting, but most events I have attended recently have been smoke-free, which is a good thing (IMO).

I wish I could disagree with the rest of your post, but, unfortunately for pool in the good old U.S., I can't. Your accurate perceptions are a real thorn in the side of the sport. Pool will never enjoy the same popularity as in the Philippines, for example, which explains the obvious nonexistence of major sponsors here. It just recently entered the Pay-Per-View arena, $9.95 per show. Can you imagine how much it would cost to broadcast a live pool tournament on TV in America? People would rather watch little weener dogs sprinting around a racetrack at the County Fairgrounds.

The "trade" is starving, too, trying to come up with new strategies to promote their product, but its target audience is limited. I wonder how many cue-sticks some of the esteemed cue-makers in this forum would sell on QVC.

Billiards Club Network is trying to do their part with the upcoming "watch free pool matches" promo on their website -- www.billiardclub.net -- and, if there is enough interest generated, this strategy could launch into something great for the industry. I anticipate a strong response and hope it can erase the gloom-and-doom cloud hovering over pool in the United States.

And in spite of all of this, along comes the UPA...

ManlyShot
 
Thanks again Harry,

I've added Farouk to the list. See below.

We are actually planning an event inside a major shopping center at the moment which will be televised nationwide across China. It is a National Snooker event.

The website that I am vice-president for is www.top147.com It has around 400,000 members at last count and Ibelieve the servers are quite large, though I don't know the specifications. Top147 provides hundreds of free video downloads. Unfortunately, they are still unaccessable for non-chinese readers. I hope this can be changd in the next 12 months, though downloading from overseas may be slow. There were about 470,000 downloads in the past 3 months. It's becoming a small TV station one might say, but revenues are still small.

In regard to your insights into the lack of development of the game in the US, I tend to think that the problem is that the right people haven't yet promoted the sport properly. As you are probably aware the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association www.SGMA.com have proven many times that Billiards is one of the TOP participation sports with over 35 million players yearly. Basketball is the only major sport that exceeds this participation level. Hence, the game has a market that is just untapped. It needs stars, and stars need exposure, but the fundamentals are there to sell this game to big advertisers if it is done right.

Anyway...thanks all for the feedback...here is a more comprehensive and organized list of past sponsors.

Colin www.hamcorp.com
========================
Beers
San Miguel (Asian 9-ball tour)http://www.espnstar.com/jsp/cda/asian9ball/asian9ball_index.html
Fosters
Anheuser-Busch (AmberBock brand) http://www.azbilliards.com/2000pressrelease.cfm?id=168
Budweiser http://www.azbilliards.com/2000pressrelease.cfm?id=118
Hasseroder Premium Beer http://ladiesfloridatour.net/2000storya.cfm?storynum=270
Miller Light

Spirits
Langs Supreme Whiskey http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_rsm.htm
Jim Beam http://www.scottishpool.com/article.php?sid=53&mode=&order=0
Cuervo
Beefetters Gin
Seagrams 7
Bacardi

Cigarettes
Benson and Hedges (27 years) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bh.htm
Regal (13 years snooker) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_rsm.htm
Camel http://www.thebilliardstour.com/images/jcamel.jpg
Rothmans http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_gp.htm
555 http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_asia.htm
Embassy (World Snooker Championship)
Winfield (World Multi-Cue Events in Australia)
Imperial Tobacco (Women's World Snooker Championship)
Peter Jackson (Australian Pool Championship)

Electronics
LG http://www.lge.co.uk/mod_perl/go.pl/site/news/newstory.htm?uid=167
LG Flatron http://www.azbilliards.com/2000storya.cfm?storynum=1361
Yamaha Organs http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Dell Computers
DBTel (Mobile Phone) (Used 9 ball for advertising)

Other Consumer Goods
Amway http://www.azbilliards.com/amway2002/yukawa.html
Red Bull (Asian Professional Billiard Elite Challenge (Shenzhen, China 2003))
Coalite (UK's largest seller of smokeless Coal (for home fires))
Motolite (Car Batteries) http://www.motolite.com/events.htm
Doritos

Non-alcoholic Drinks
Highland Spring (Bottled Water) http://www.highlandspring.com/media/sponsorship.asp
7 Up http://www.thebilliardstour.com/images/7upad.jpg
Dr. Pepper

Cars
Lada (UK Snooker Sponsor in the 80's)
Skoda http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_gp.htm

Clothing
Daphne Shoes (Women's Tour in China) http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/2003-11-10/1159651977.shtml
Dr. Martens (Snooker Premier League)
Levi's 501 Jeans
Naturalizer Shoes
Maidenform Bra

Trade
Travis Perkins (UK's Largest Supplier of Building Materials, current major Snooker Sponsor)
Powerhouse (UK’s leading Electrical Supplier)
Stormseal (UK Roofing) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
ICI (Chemicals, Paints) http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_euro.htm
Tulip Paints http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_euro.htm
Dulux Paints http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Anglian Windows http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Wickes Home Improvements http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm

Luxury Goods
Farouk Hair Care Systems (Sarah Ellerby) www.farouk.com


Bookmakers/Casinos
Coral http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
MGM Casino www.mosconicup.com
LabrookesCasino.com Sponsors 2001 World Pool Masters http://www.ladbrokescasino.com
Empire Poker (World Pool Championships) www.pokermillions.com
Stan James http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Bodygaming (US Women’s Pool) http://www.boydgaming.com/
Paradice Hotel/Casino (US Women’s Pool) http://www.par-a-dice.com/
Sam’s Town Tunica Casino (US Women’s Pool) www.samstowntunica.com
Victor Chandler World Pool Championship 2000 www.victorchandler.com


Insurance/Banking
Royal Liver Assurance http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
Liverpool Victoria Assurance (Source as above)
MIM Britannia http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Pearl Assurance http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm
Admiral Insurance 2001 Admiral World Pool Championship http://www.admiral-insurance.co.uk

Unknown
Tennants http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_uk.htm
Castella http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/History/tourn_hist_bo.htm


Others
Many Billiard Equipment Suppliers, Hotels, Airlines, Pool Venues, Television Stations, Billiard Magazines and Billiard Websites and Billiard Video Games
 
i can't help in any way, but let me make an observation......i am shocked to see some big time companies.

so obviously, they took a stab at it and pulled out. you can't say pool wasn't given a chance.
 
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