What fans? Only people that watch are the hardcore pool players that even know the event is happening, and most don't like silly gimmiky formats. There are a ton of things that is tried "for the fans" but there are no fans that watch pool no matter what is done since they have no idea there is anything to even watch unless you follow the sport and forums like this. I told a few people, at a pool hall, my son entered the US Open, most thought I was talking about golf LOL
Changing rules and formats for what a non-existent audience may or may not like does no good at all.
All these gimmick ideas on how to fix pool, how to get the viewing audience involved, how to handicap the Pro's so the amateurs have a chance to win some money, and feel good about themselves because they FINALLY beat a Pro, have NOT worked, has NEVER worked, and NEVER will work!
Abba Eban who was an Israeli politician and diplomat. In March 1967 Eban visited Japan, and the New York Times reported on a remark that he made: 1
Commenting that the passage of time offered the best hope of an end to the problems of Israel and her neighbors, he said: “Men and nations behave wisely when they have exhausted all other resources.
What that means is as Americans we can be counted on to do all the WRONG things first, before we finally get it right!!!
PRO players playing against PRO players ONLY, and getting PAID is the TRUE direction this sport need to take!
What does it take to make that happen? A lot of planning, work, patience, persistent, and dedication to ONE outcome! It don't and WON'T happen over night, and will NEVER happen if someone don't pursue those goals, like a bulldog with a bone in its mouth!!
There's a lot of changes that must be made in order for this to happen, to many to list here, but, my last meeting to fix this sport is on Thursday, with the advertising agency in Seattle to bring them on-board with the non-profit leadership, which represents the organization and leadership needed to move forward.
Do I care if most of you don't support my goals, not really. Reason being, not ONE of you is lifting a single finger to straighten it out, NOT ONE.
But that's ok with me, because I know what I'm doing, and I don't need anyone's approval, but once I'm done, this sport will benefit from my efforts, and so will all of you as viewers, though I feel many of you don't deserve it!
1) PRO players should NOT have to pay entry fees to support the event winners!
2)PRO players should at a minimum get paid enough money in a first round loss to cover all their travel, hotel, and food expenses to every event they play in, as they ARE providing ENTERTAINMENT to YOU viewers, which is their JOB!
3) PRO players should NEVER have to play in events which include amateurs just to make a living, that should be an OPTION to them, BUT amateurs should NEVER be allowed to play against the PRO'S in PRO only events just because they can afford to pay an entry fee, therefore they have the RIGHT to play against the PRO'S!
4) Streamed events MUST include live streaming 8 9ft tables live, not ONE TV table, then viewers have the CHOICE of who they want to watch and follow, NOT get stuck watching TWO players they don't care to watch!
5) All matches MUST start on time, and END on time, so the VIEWERS can plan THEIR viewing time based on who and when their favorite players are playing, as they have busy schedules as well.
6) The viewing audience. MUST have the option to view any event they CAN'T watch, at a later time frame, as to still be able to watch the live event they missed watching, and that REQUIRES a subscription VOD, like the NETFLIX OF POOL events!