How do the following earn a living - today?

Well

Most actually arent doing too well.

Several HOF pool players are broke. Its a sad deal.

Ken
 
Ken_4fun said:
Most actually arent doing too well.

Several HOF pool players are broke. Its a sad deal.

Ken



when u run into them they don`t harass you for hand outs/loans and they all seem to have pride.:cool:
 
Rick S....That's not true in Earl's circumstance. J-S Sales (parent company of Cuetec Cues) was sold to Imperial. Mike (owner of Imperial) did not like Earl's overall attitude, and never had...therefore he opted to cancel (or not renew) Earl's contract with Cuetec. Janet Shimel always liked Earl, and kept him on the payroll for years.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Rick S. said:
Exactly right!

Just as Earl, and Cuetec parted ways.

If you aren't making them money...you're out the door.
 
Ken_4fun said:
Most actually arent doing too well.

Several HOF pool players are broke. Its a sad deal.

Ken

True.

Most "out-of-the-know" seem to think if someone is on TV and wins tournaments, then they have all this $$$ coming from endorsement or tournament winnings. Untrue.

This was my point of the thread.

For all the years of entertainment, hope, and inspiration these HOF's have provided for all of us and even the average joe (ala ESPN), compared to a blue-collar working class dude with a pension, they are broke!

There are a couple exceptions - the ones that "did something" when a big score came along, or built a business for their later years: Nick Varner, Allen Hopkins, and Sigel come to mind.

Efren, is another story all together. He need not worry much. He is his nation's hero and every penny he has ever earned in USD goes waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay long at home in the Philippines! He does have sponsors, and even the support of the Philippine government from time to time - no joke, the President has shown his support more than once with bonuses. Not to mention, the largest prize purses ever in billiards, were all won by Efren!!!
 
Scott Lee said:
tigerseye...Said by whom? Certainly not Johnny. That's wishful thinking...:rolleyes: ...but unfortunately not the case.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com


I heard it from Sparky Ferrell once in a pool tourney in Charlotte...He said he had invested and done well...
I was hoping to get some of Johnny's money on the golf course but it sounds like he is busted...lol
Kidn'
I am intrigued by his ability to survive and his super stellar play.
I know there is a way to make a living in the sport of billiards and it has many that have and still are...
Sometimes you just have to look beyond the stick....;)
 
CrownCityCorey said:
True.

Most "out-of-the-know" seem to think if someone is on TV and wins tournaments, then they have all this $$$ coming from endorsement or tournament winnings. Untrue.

This was my point of the thread.

For all the years of entertainment, hope, and inspiration these HOF's have provided for all of us and even the average joe (ala ESPN), compared to a blue-collar working class dude with a pension, they are broke!

There are a couple exceptions - the ones that "did something" when a big score came along, or built a business for their later years: Nick Varner, Allen Hopkins, and Sigel come to mind.

Efren, is another story all together. He need not worry much. He is his nation's hero and every penny he has ever earned in USD goes waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay long at home in the Philippines! He does have sponsors, and even the support of the Philippine government from time to time - no joke, the President has shown his support more than once with bonuses. Not to mention, the largest prize purses ever in billiards, were all won by Efren!!!


sounds like we should all just forget about any dreams we may have for success in billiards....
Man this thread is really bringing me down:frown:
 
You make a great point Corey, but it all goes back to the fact that billiards just does not bring in $$$ like golf, beach volleyball, etc...

I personally don't think that it ever will. Very sad....

This topic brings anther thought to mind and probably a topic for another thread. But, I know that many cue makers spend their lives crafting masterpeices and then at the end of their working years, have little if nothing to show for it.

:(
 
tigerseye said:
I heard it from Sparky Ferrell once in a pool tourney in Charlotte...He said he had invested and done well...
I was hoping to get some of Johnny's money on the golf course but it sounds like he is busted...lol
Kidn'
I am intrigued by his ability to survive and his super stellar play.
I know there is a way to make a living in the sport of billiards and it has many that have and still are...
Sometimes you just have to look beyond the stick....;)
Johnny is doing just fine. Just like everyone the $$ have slowed down but you are right he has invested really well.
 
CrownCityCorey said:
True.

Most "out-of-the-know" seem to think if someone is on TV and wins tournaments, then they have all this $$$ coming from endorsement or tournament winnings. Untrue.

This was my point of the thread.

For all the years of entertainment, hope, and inspiration these HOF's have provided for all of us and even the average joe (ala ESPN), compared to a blue-collar working class dude with a pension, they are broke!
Just a minor point. That blue collar working class dude with a pension had go somewhere everyday for 30 years and work 8 hours a day to get that pension.
 
JCIN said:
Just a minor point. That blue collar working class dude with a pension had go somewhere everyday for 30 years and work 8 hours a day to get that pension.

I am okay with the go somewhere everyday part but I struggle with the work 8 hours part:grin: :grin:

How are you doing Justin, well I hope, I am sorry that I will miss you this Saturday I will be in Arkansas chasing rainbow and brown trout:wink:

Take Care and Thanks Again for all you guys do.

-don
 
JCIN said:
Just a minor point. That blue collar working class dude with a pension had go somewhere everyday for 30 years and work 8 hours a day to get that pension.

No knock to the guy that punches the time clock day in and day out for 30 years (I can't do it, although I am anyway. LOL!), but their inspiring effect, apart from their immediate family, is not the same as someone that is seen by millions of people as a beacon of hope. The movie "Invincible" illustrates this point pretty well.
 
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poolhustler said:
You make a great point Corey, but it all goes back to the fact that billiards just does not bring in $$$ like golf, beach volleyball, etc...

I personally don't think that it ever will. Very sad....

This topic brings anther thought to mind and probably a topic for another thread. But, I know that many cue makers spend their lives crafting masterpeices and then at the end of their working years, have little if nothing to show for it.

:(

Taking all this in has been a sign of hope! To me it sounds like pool/billiards is the only sport that is truely a sport for the love of the game......
That makes me happy inside:woot:
 
CrownCityCorey said:
No knock to the guy that punches the time clock day in and day out for 30 years (I can't do it, although I am anyway. LOL!), but their inspiring effect, apart from their immediate family, is not the same as someone that is seen by millions of people as a beacon of hope. The movie "Invincible" illustrates this point pretty well.
Well if you can show me a pro player that really is "seen by millions of people as a beacon of hope" I guess I could see it.

Most people I know (me included) respect pro players for their skill and dedication to the game but they don't exactly act as a beacon of hope or inspiration to achieve greatness in life. It is what it is.


I think the things that make a great pool player are just not the things that make for long term stability with a comfortable retirement. Some guys figure this out early and work towards something that will take care of them in the future, others either don't see it or just don't care. In the end we are all responsible for our own well being. Joe Louis had to work as a greeter at Caesar's Palace in his old age and I am pretty sure he inspired more people than any pool player. Life is a b!tch.
 
The HOFers are in a bad spot, current champions cant earn a living let alone the old timers. There is nothing in pool no matter how you look at it its the sme old problem. :deadhorse: It sucks.
 
tigerseye said:
Not sure what Johnny Archer has done with his cash and it's none of my buisness but he has done very well from what people have said..
I know he and Davenport have opened a room in Georgia...and it is to be said that Archer is a millionare also...
Johnny has done well=)


I wont put his Biz in the street, but I will say this, he is struggling like everyone else is right now. We spoke this morning. He isnt a millionaire. He has done well over the years, he has 2 beatiful kids and a great wife. If he stayed single he would be a millionaire, he started investing his $$ over 20 years ago. He is smart with his $$$, but he isnt immune from the troubled times. he is doing better than any other pool player I know in America.
 
Fatboy said:
I wont put his Biz in the street, but I will say this, he is struggling like everyone else is right now. We spoke this morning. He isnt a millionaire. He has done well over the years, he has 2 beatiful kids and a great wife. If he stayed single he would be a millionaire, he started investing his $$ over 20 years ago. He is smart with his $$$, but he isnt immune from the troubled times. he is doing better than any other pool player I know in America.


I like Johnny's game....he is always a class act.
 
Its no secret pool in America is triple tough for the pros right now, I am not sure what the purpose of this thread is other than bring attention to the fact that many older pool players are really struggling. I know whenever I read about a pool player being ill, like when Buddy Hall had health problems last year, the first thought that goes through my mind is whether or not he had health insurance.

I've been down on pool lately and this thread is making me even more bummed about the state of our favorite sport in America. :frown:
 
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