If you won Powerball would you make a pro tour?

Id make a pro tour where all the players have to play in waist deep water, so getting around the table is extra slow. Of course, they all must wear tuxedos so it's classy. The drop pockets would have no bottom so between each rack, they gotta scuba around and find the balls. The prizes would be so amazing, the brackets would fill every time.


The Pool Pool Tour!
 
ENGLISH! said:
The ONLY way that a pro tour would work other than with a total gift horse just giving money away is for the 'Pros' to have owners interest in it.

They need to be an Assoc. that owns it outright or in partnership with another entity.

The models are there in the PGA of Am, & with Pro Tennis.

They have always been too self centered to make any sacrifice for the future.

Just My 2 cent opinion.
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I said a few years back to one of the top pros today that you guys need to make a sacrifice for the players of tomorrow! He said "yeah, well about me"? I said to him then you and tomorrow's player are gonna have it rough!

He was ok with it!

Would I contribute to pool if I won the big one? NO!! I would help a couple players out and donate to real causes! But to give money into a bottomless hole,,,, no thanks! I'll buy a boat instead and throw money at that. At least I'll get something back;)
 
LIAKOS27 said:
Is that a Daniel Defense??
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Yup. Mk18 SBR with a Surefire can. Not mine. I swore a long time ago I wouldnt play the NFA games but like boats its cool when your friends have one. Its a fun little gun but the blowback from the can is nasty. Like getting a shot of ammonia in your face each time you pull the trigger. It needed a ported charging handle bad.
 
My answer from a few years ago when the same type of thread was posted. This would take hundreds of millions...

Create Billiards World. Three or four different pool halls with different styles/flavors/tables. Weekly tournaments, some handicapped, some not, some open, some local only, with added money so they are all worth it.

A pro on staff for scheduled and walk in lessons.

A resident cuemaker on staff with show and tells while he makes cues.

A pro shop for repairwork.

Plenty of exhibitions, including guys like Sayginer.

A pool and billiards museum, with guest appearances of the old time greats.

A youth program with another pro on staff to work with them. There would be different age groups and rankings/tiers for encouragement of advancement. Winners of competitions would win college scholarships.

Several hotels, some nice restaurants, and plenty of shopping.

24 hour security for the entire area. Strict. Family friendly and safe.

Six big tournaments a year with huge guaranteed money. Players and their immediate family pay a greatly reduced rate at the hotel.

A full time person on staff who's only job is to promote the tournaments and try and bring in crowds and advertising dollars.

A full time person on staff who's only job is to promote the idea of pool and billiards as college courses and to start intercollegiate competition. This person would work with the top certified instructions in areas where colleges exist in order to create a network of courses across the country as a stepping stone to the competition. The course would require classroom instruction on the history of pool and billiards, the theoretical fundamentals, and actual play on a table purchased solely for classroom instruction. A good opportunity here for a table manufacturer to get involved. Winners of collegiate competitions would have free entry in some of the big open tournaments.
 
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Mark Griffin said:
I would seriously change the future of pool. And it would end up with different tiers of playing ability. The top level could be the pro level.

The bulk of time and money would be spent on infrastructure and unification of rules- all using FargoRate., there would be serious conduct guidelines.

I firmly believe pool can be sustainable - but it needs consistency, junior, amateur and pro players. There must be criteria on who is a pro, a strong rules and organization- with players rights.

We would become a major WPA affiliate and make 5 year commitment for several world championships. Also acquire real sponsors and get real coverage.

$20 million should be sufficient - so Barton and Griffin have about the same parameters in reference to money and time. My plans are way more complete and cover a whole lot more. But we would increase our management team and everyone could see how all our existing concepts would dovetail together and have an industry!!!!

Mark Griffin
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I would hire Mark, and pay him to do what he already does. The only stipulation on my end would be that the term 'pro player' and 7 foot tables would not be tournament compatible. That is personal, and would change if it were a roadblock to Mark's success.

Also on a personal note, I would put a lot of money into what I enjoy: 14.1 on 10 foot tables with 4.25 pockets.

I would also hunt out and find those really good unknowns we all hear about, and send them to where ever Mike D is and bust him, send him back under his rock.
 
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I think I would use some of it to build a large utility self sustaining pool hall ( well water, septic system, geothermal heat and cooling, wind turbines and solar electric). I would likely build it in a place like Loafers Glory, NC or possibly Greensboro, NC as I think that area is beautiful but yet currently there seems to be very little for anyone to do there for entertainment. I would have state of the art equipment and services on site. Probably a hotel with Bar and restaurant as well. I would invite and likely pay in the beginning the top pool players in the world to come and play, compete, do exhibitions of their skills on a regular basis. The hall would offer many types of leagues ( APA, UPA, TAPS, BCA ). There would be a pro shop with staff Professional instructors as well as many professional players contact info to teach people how to play better at any level. To bring a business of this magnitude to a place like that would seriously invigorate the economy of that county. I think it would be like when they started Las Vegas in the desert.
 
If I win the PowerBall lottery, I plan on running for President of the US. The campaign will require a substantial amount of the prize money. But once in office, I plan to use the power of the Oval Office to support pool.

I will be an amazing President for supporting pool. I look forward to your vote and your support. FYI, I was born in Ohio to parents who both were US citizens.
 
Mark Griffin said:
Well Freddie,
That's pretty big gesture- and I appreciate the trust. But I think I could make it work. I'd have a solid foundation in place from junior to pro-WPA sanctioned world events. Complete rules of behVior, dress code, and penalties guide. I'd have the right people up to speed and running a top notch series of local, state, national, and world events. Top quality production and professionally run.

With too marketing and management.

All financially sustainable! We have 2/3 the technology operational. I have the vision and ability to make it all happen.

So- I'll take the money sir. And thanks again!

Markg
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Why bother with the WPA? Just take over everything
 
Hell No.

The only things pool related I would probably due with the money (other then buy some grail cues) is help out my local favorite room and donate more gambling.
 
A combination of a lot of your great ideas. Definitely something positive for the game!
 
There are better charities than pool players - BUT I would start an invitational tournament and discuss hosting with an established hall.

I would NOT start my own pool hall, high end or otherwise to take business away from someone who does rely on their business for a living.
 
You know, I suckered for a ticket when the pot was a mere $850 million. Then I did some reading on how so many winners had their lives ruined after the win. One poor sap's body found under a cement slab. Many bankruptcies and divorces, drugs and alcoholism, etc. This list of sad tales was a long one.

Of course, this would never happen to anyone here, right?

Then I thought about it. My bride and I are well into our senior years. We live in a comfortable but modest home on a little over an acre. The road that borders our little property goes nowhere, so any traffic is mostly others who live along it. I see expensive $200,000 machines pass often. They are painted green and yellow, "John Deere". Never have seen a Ferrari or other exotic drive by. We live comfortably and have no debt. We are able to take care of what we have ourselves.
Because of our age, we don't like the disruptions of travel or drastic changes in routine. We do play pool for fun.

In other words, we're pretty content, other than wishing we had our 25 year old bodies back. We worked and saved for many years to get where we are. We're not multi megabucks, but we're not worried about money.

So, I should buy a ticket? And if I won, then what? Be hounded by grifters and sharks? Buy more stuff? Sounds like more hassles than I want or need.

So..buy your tickets and enjoy your fantasies folks. I'm sitting this one out.
 
pwd72s said:
You know, I suckered for a ticket when the pot was a mere $850 million. Then I did some reading on how so many winners had their lives ruined after the win. One poor sap's body found under a cement slab. Many bankruptcies and divorces, drugs and alcoholism, etc. This list of sad tales was a long one.

Of course, this would never happen to anyone here, right?

Then I thought about it. My bride and I are well into our senior years. We live in a comfortable but modest home on a little over an acre. The road that borders our little property goes nowhere, so any traffic is mostly others who live along it. I see expensive $200,000 machines pass often. They are painted green and yellow, "John Deere". Never have seen a Ferrari or other exotic drive by. We live comfortably and have no debt. We are able to take care of what we have ourselves.
Because of our age, we don't like the disruptions of travel or drastic changes in routine. We do play pool for fun.

In other words, we're pretty content, other than wishing we had our 25 year old bodies back. We worked and saved for many years to get where we are. We're not multi megabucks, but we're not worried about money.

So, I should buy a ticket? And if I won, then what? Be hounded by grifters and sharks? Buy more stuff? Sounds like more hassles than I want or need.

So..buy your tickets and enjoy your fantasies folks. I'm sitting this one out.
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Tap. Tap. Tap.
 
I'd just set up shop in my own personal 1 table establishment and make all the best fly in to play me games they never would be able to win for money they would never be able to out run. After I busted everyone I'd write a book about it.

I'd do not a damn thing at all except be disgustingly rich.
 
iusedtoberich said:
With the Powerball 900 million tonight, would you do anything with pool if you won?

Maybe start a new pro tour, 10 stops 100k per stop, and a 500k season finale?
Maybe give the money to existing promoters so they can do the above, but under their brands instead of a new brand?
Start a chain of pool halls?
Something else?

I can see a few sides:
1. You love pool and will spend the money knowing its a long term money losing idea.
2. You do not contribute at all since it is a money losing idea.
3. You hire the best business people to try to turn it into a money making idea?

Thoughts of this fantasy?
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I would start the biggest 14.1 event that the world has ever seen !!
 
No, I would not. I am just not sure it's money well spent. I like the ideas about investing in rooms, focusing on the youth. Perhaps that has potential to grow the game. I also like the idea of opening a room with nothing but the best equipment. Host sweet tournaments. Not sure I'd do that either though.
 
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