I understand how the tournaments are struggling from a player and former room owner perspective. I have been involved in tournament fishing for over 20 years and up until a few years ago it was the same for it. Then Irwin Jacobs formed FLW and ESPN bought BASS now owned by Jerry McKinnis. These guys are wealthy men who not only have the money to back a national sport but have the guys to go to when sponsors are needed. If pool had a organizing body, and not for leagues, for the promotion and benefit of professional pool things might can turn around. Reforming the Pro Billiards Tour would be huge for the sport, and having card carrying pros that not only play but promote the sport things could turn around. A handful of guys can promote this sport now but it needs to be everyone. So many pool rooms are restricted to 21 and over, which is understandable due to liquir laws, but if someone could step up and get these pros in schools, pool rooms, doing demos etc. and really pushing the sport I can promise it would turn around. A real TV deal would also be nice. The ladies have had a pro circuit with far fewer players and its still going. Maybe get some advice from that side ? The fact that I can compare pro fishing to pro pool is that fishing was in the same rut just a few years ago and, even with the recession, it has prospered due to one thing - PROMOTION - thats the whole key. Europe has way better promotion than the USA but they have what we dont - MONEY AND BIG BUSINESS SPONSORS...Sure it costs a ton of money but if someone could get a good management company who wouldnt break the bank on board and have these events in a more public arena setting things would turn around. But on the reality side I just dont see this happening. If I had 20 million I didnt need there would at least be a start. Maybe some day huh...
