Gorst dishes on US Open, lopsided prize funds, long race with Filler
- Thread starter jbart65
- Start date
Poolbum has been around since the beginning of pool...or bums, can't remember which came first
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I wouldn't label him as a bum of any kind. I sense this thread is starting to take a turn in another direction, which is the norm sometimes.
I'm also not thrilled with most of Rogan's political views, other than his take on the Iran debacle, but the last thing that pool needs is some sort of political test. Rogan obviously loves pool, has done a lot to promote pool, and from what I've seen he's not that bad a player. I'd love to see him enter the Open for the publicity it'd attract to the event. Two thumbs up.
middleofnowhere
Registered
It's a term commonly used.
Definition
"An enthusiast who prioritizes playing (fill in the blank) over work, family, or other responsibilities, often living a relaxed, itinerant lifestyle centered around the sport."
I have known quite a few who fit that definition.
I remember Weenie Beanie in an interview commenting on what it took to be a top player. He made the comment you had to either be rich or be a bum. The game demanded too much time.
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Very good possibility they were created on the same day
Annual revenues of $6 million is not enough to cover salary for 200 employees worldwide and expenditures. Predator does not make its income statement available so I would not give much credence to Internet search values. The same internet search says that the carbon fiber market is about $400 million and Predator is a major producer, so go figure.
Do you have a source for this? Not accusing you of being wrong, just genuinely curious.
That's been a "known thing" for many years, never heard how many or how much though
You make a good point. I do think $6 million sounds light. Very light, in fact. So I dug a little further.
I imagine Predator makes most of its money from cues, though it is of course branching out. Let's say it only got revenue from cues. Predator would have to sell 6,000 cues worldwide, at a cost of $1,000 each, to get to $6 million in revenue.
I've got to figure Predator sells at least 25,000 cues a year in the US alone. Maybe 50,000 or more worldwide. That would put revenue at $50 million a year before the sale of accessories.
Throw in cases, chalk, clothes etc. Maybe that's another $15 million to $25 million.
Looked at it this way. perhaps $60 million to $75 million a year is a conservative estimate. I'd guess $100 million in annual revenue would be toward the higher end.
It would be a good if someone can ask Karim about his revenue stream on a Podcast. Someone did ask him about the number of employees and he was willing to answer, but he might be more reluctant on revenues - doesn't hurt to ask though.
Karim said that he would like to see prize money in the PBS increase to about $8 million in couple years so you can rest assured that the Predator company is doing well since it is a major sponsor of the PBS.
Can't forget their own Predator 7ft and 9ft tables, Predator cloth, and Predator Arcos ball set. Not sure how many people have these products in their home, but it also adds up, since they are on the pricier side. They also sell clothing apparel, I've seen a few bangers in the pool hall wearing a Predator sweater/zip-up/quarter-zip and hat.
Speaking for myself, I have a Predator Z3, 314-2, Air II jump cue, and Predator 3x4 soft case. No complaints. Had a glove and towel in the past but didn't really like them.
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Which Predator case? Looking to get a new one and the Urbain seems like it would suit my needs. I also have Arco balls. My preferred set.
This one in black & yellow, but they are discontinued.
Predator Sport Black 3x4 Soft Cue Case - CSP3X4B
Predator Sport black 3x4 soft pool cue case. This case has a stylish carbon fiber pattern with in-and-out opening design for quick access. Has 2 zipper style pockets (top 5" x 5" bottom 19" x 5". Case features embossed predator cat on back, zipper pull Snap with security lock, 2 handles, and...
seyberts.com
There is an Ebay listing for one but it's 4x8 :
Predator Sport Black/Yellow 4x8 Soft Pool Cue Case | eBay
4x8 (4 Butts x 8 Shafts). Predator Case. Predator Sport Case.
www.ebay.com
Prize money is not prize money is not prize money. Pool rooms that host events do so knowing that there're going to lose money. They host/add money as a give back to the players and to advertise the room and maybe try to leave their mark a bit on the sport. Major tournaments are a different matter. They are looking at the bottom line maybe not for the specific event but certainly for the future of the brand they want to promote. I think we need to separate the two when looking at prize monies and the politics of sport.
Sorry for hijacking the thread but...
I know people are right when saying that Joe Rogan playing in the US Open would attract viewers but isn't the game beautiful enough to attract viewers on its own? People that would tune in to watch Rogan aren't going to watch the other events he's not participating in.
Why do we always feel we need to have another Hollywood movie about pool with Top Tier actors or a celebrity playing in an event to increase popularity?! They wouldn't even be real fans in the first place!
I know people are right when saying that Joe Rogan playing in the US Open would attract viewers but isn't the game beautiful enough to attract viewers on its own? People that would tune in to watch Rogan aren't going to watch the other events he's not participating in.
Why do we always feel we need to have another Hollywood movie about pool with Top Tier actors or a celebrity playing in an event to increase popularity?! They wouldn't even be real fans in the first place!
Pool by itself has always failed to attract large audiences in the modern era unless there were big personalities or charismatic people involved.