Earl Strickland

I don't know about today's market, but in Earl's heyday he was making 150-200K a year in sponsorship deals (50K each). Plus all his tournament winnings and exhibition fees. He made over 300K a year several years in the early 90's. But he lamented that the top golfers were making five to ten times more even then. I remember telling him he wasn't doing bad for a pool player.

Very few players can make that kind of money today, but I think several make in excess of 200K total, counting winnings, sponsorship and appearance fees. Jeanette is in another league! She makes much more than any other player, by a wide margin! There is no close second. Mike Massey used to be the second highest earner with all his exhibitions etc. He was doing over 100 shows a year! He's slowed down now. Paul Gerni was another pool player who did quite well for himself. Probably the most successful of the exhibition shooters, along with Mike.


I believe it was Sports Illistrated that had an article about NFL players which said that 80% are either bankrupt or in serious financial difficulty within 2 years of leaving the NFL. Some people don't know how to manage their money and can't say no to people looking for a handout.
 
I don't know about today's market, but in Earl's heyday he was making 150-200K a year in sponsorship deals (50K each). Plus all his tournament winnings and exhibition fees. He made over 300K a year several years in the early 90's. But he lamented that the top golfers were making five to ten times more even then. I remember telling him he wasn't doing bad for a pool player.

Very few players can make that kind of money today, but I think several make in excess of 200K total, counting winnings, sponsorship and appearance fees. Jeanette is in another league! She makes much more than any other player, by a wide margin! There is no close second. Mike Massey used to be the second highest earner with all his exhibitions etc. He was doing over 100 shows a year! He's slowed down now. Paul Gerni was another pool player who did quite well for himself. Probably the most successful of the exhibition shooters, along with Mike.

Jay,

I just remembered that Earl won $1 million dollars at CJ Wiley's tournament in Dallas, Texas not too many years ago. Did he get paid for that big win? That's the largest purse I remember a pool player winning......

James
 
Jay,

I just remembered that Earl won $1 million dollars at CJ Wiley's tournament in Dallas, Texas not too many years ago. Did he get paid for that big win? That's the largest purse I remember a pool player winning......

James

He got a pretty good chunk of it, attorney taking his share as well. Took a while, but he got paid.

Jay can chime in...I'm pretty sure the actual figure has never been made public though.
 
Spidey & me have been Earl fans from waaaay back!

So far the response has been beyond expectations...Let's keep this idea alive, fresh in people's minds.

Sponsors...now is the time to speak up!!!

STILL...one of the biggest draws in the game. It's a great opportunity for someone.

Thanks

Absolutely right Rick! Earl has legions of die-hard fans who still root hard for him to knock off even more major championships!

He's one of the greatest cueists of all time, and we were lucky enough to see him in his hey-day!

I wish him lots of success in whatever he pursues!
 
Go Earllllll. Seen him at Gate City in Greensboro last week playing in the 9ball tourny. Incredible to watch him shoot and a nice guy to boot. He'll talk to anyone, no arrogance at all. He is a perfectionist, I think that is what put him so far above everyone for so long. Pretty good just isn't good enough for him. Wish him the best and would love to see him win another World Title or at least back in the hunt. Give'em hell Earl!
 
Absolutely right Rick! Earl has legions of die-hard fans who still root hard for him to knock off even more major championships!

He's one of the greatest cueists of all time, and we were lucky enough to see him in his hey-day!

I wish him lots of success in whatever he pursues!




I think if Earl will be the ( Gentleman ) I know he can be, from here on out, all sins of the past will be forgiven, His fan base supporters will sky-rocket! and thats when the sponsorships will surely jump on board.

And if you guy's set him up a classy web site, it surely will take off!

If everyone that can chip in what they can, and some that are better off than others, chip in larger amounts of $, The AZBilliards forum and other sponsorships, will get him to many (all) of the World Tournaments.

I personally think if Earl takes this seriously, and plays his game he once again can be a serious threat to win any tournament he plays in for at least another ten years. IMHO

I wish nothing but the best for our living legend, Earl Strickland!

An ocean starts with but one drop of water!


David Harcrow
 
Bump

Earl has been attending the Wednesday 7:30 pm tourney at Gate City Billiards where there will be @ $20K in the Break & Run contest. Perhaps he'll be there tonight. I won't be able to play in the tourney (Wednes nights are tennis nights for me) but I'll get there @ 8:30 and if I can get a word in, I'll make him aware of this possible venture in his behalf.

If I can speak with him, are there any questions that may be helpful to ask? I don't know if it's been mentioned in this thread, but I think a big seller would be nicely framed and matted pic's (Rick S in charge?). If somehow he could sign them (maybe having some mats shipped to him for his sig) that would definitely up the value and bring more cha ching to the man. Maybe the owner of Gate City, Don Liebes, would be willing to assist - Ex. receiving shipments for sig's, displaying some memorabilia for sale, pumping upm the web site, etc.

I sure hope this comes off, it'd be a fabulous gesture to give something back to the man that has given his life to this difficult love affair of a game.

Here's he and I at the exact table where Gate City's B&R is held.

MT & Earl pose, doc.jpg
 
I don't know if it's been mentioned in this thread, but I think a big seller would be nicely framed and matted pic's (Rick S in charge?). If somehow he could sign them (maybe having some mats shipped to him for his sig) that would definitely up the value and bring more cha ching to the man.

I sure hope this comes off, it'd be a fabulous gesture to give something back to the man that has given his life to this difficult love affair of a game.

I'd be more than happy to assist in anything needed.

Usually you run into problems with selling framed and matted prints. Shipping being the biggest deterrent. (Breakage-Cost to ship)

I have found out over the years that signed prints (shppd in tubes) work the best. That way you aren't trying to guess the color-style of the frames-mats for the customer. And the cost factor can vary greatly as well. (Cheap to VERY expensive.)

It's too much of a personal decision.


One of my favorite shots of Earl. After receiving the MVP Trophy from the 2005 Mosconi Cup. One of his proudest moments.

Hopefully I can get some new action shots while he's out here in Az.

95727328.jpg
 
Jay,

I just remembered that Earl won $1 million dollars at CJ Wiley's tournament in Dallas, Texas not too many years ago. Did he get paid for that big win? That's the largest purse I remember a pool player winning......

James

There was a lot of controversy surrounding that feat. Earl did finally get a settlement in the 250K range. That was a lump sum and the million was going to be paid in twenty annual installments of 50K each.
 
There was a lot of controversy surrounding that feat. Earl did finally get a settlement in the 250K range. That was a lump sum and the million was going to be paid in twenty annual installments of 50K each.
Still the only person to have actually won a Mil. If he got stiffed on someof the money he still actually won a mil right???
 
I remember Earl playing some Mosconi Cup matches in the UK when I lived there, it was the first time I had seen him play OMG he was an awesome player. But you know he reminded me of Alex Higgins another absolute genius, who just had to go too far on occassions. But most people love or in Alex's case 'loved' them anyway.

Personally I think Earl had a point about Steve Davis and Matchroom everything was built around Davis. But without Matchroom and Davis, who had a lot to do with them other than simply playing, where would the Cup be today? Was Earl right to express himself as he did, probably not, was it understandable, of course it was. The problem was it's a highly charged atmosphere the supporters made it that way, they saw they could get to Earl and they didn't need a second invitation for that.

The guy was and is amazing, but as with every other talented sporting genius I can think of, if I had a dime for every time I heard someone say something negative about them I would have enough to retire and maybe stake Earl too!
 
CJ, told me Earl received the total million after a long court case, and the insurance company also had to pay CJ's lawyers fee's. He also said he paid 50,000 out of his own pocket to Earl while waiting to get paid.
 
I think earl can beat some of the best any given day if that's the day he is "on". I meet him once before and man I tell you, no matter what attitude he mihgt have sometimes, he loves the game and I know that his passion for it, is probably one of the best.
 
There was a lot of controversy surrounding that feat. Earl did finally get a settlement in the 250K range. That was a lump sum and the million was going to be paid in twenty annual installments of 50K each.

It was A LOT MORE THAN THAT. A LOT MORE.
 
It was A LOT MORE THAN THAT. A LOT MORE.

Earl had every penny coming to him for that million $ 10-pack.
Not just the talent involved.The pressure would have exploded
many strong hearts.

However,the insurance people should fire their actuaries.
How could they not realize that a large prize would affect
a player's pattern.
Earl made some shots in that 'pack' that are not normal in match play.

A Nobel prize was awarded for calculating how an experiment affected
the results.
 
The Million Dollars

Still the only person to have actually won a Mil. If he got stiffed on someof the money he still actually won a mil right???

Earl did not get stiffed for a nickel. CJ Wiley made sure of that, hiring attorney to represent his and Earl's interests.

Much like the lotteries of today, Earl could take the 20 years of installments at $50,000 a year or the lump sum payment.

Earl took the lump sum payment which was subtantially more than what has been reported.

The insurance company did not short change Earl nor did anyone else.

BTW, CJ Wiley will be coming out with a video of the MILLION DOLLAR RUN with lots of details not mentioned previously.

Jay Helfert was the tournament director at this spectacular event.
 
ive been hooked since

Earl did not get stiffed for a nickel. CJ Wiley made sure of that, hiring attorney to represent his and Earl's interests.

Much like the lotteries of today, Earl could take the 20 years of installments at $50,000 a year or the lump sum payment.

Earl took the lump sum payment which was subtantially more than what has been reported.

The insurance company did not short change Earl nor did anyone else.

BTW, CJ Wiley will be coming out with a video of the MILLION DOLLAR RUN with lots of details not mentioned previously.

Jay Helfert was the tournament director at this spectacular event.

I was a 17 year old wannabe at this event. It was my introduction to big time pool and big time gambling. Ill never forget sitting there in the stands with my buddy and the next thing we know Amarillo slim sits down in front of us. The next nigt Slim played Efren for something like 50,000 at one pocket. Efren gave him some ungodly spot. Ive been hooked ever since. Maybe Jay can give us the details of that match.
 
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