JA vs MD push out after the break match.

[backplaying]

I got out of the Game in 99 because of "political reasons" and could see the industry was "unplugging the clock to save time". In other words they chose to pull the plug on advertising the game at the pro level, and this proved to be a drastic mistake.

I'm not sure what happened to Men's Pro Pool after 2000, they apparently didn't have anyone negotiate with ESPN and something happened. I've never ask, it's all "water under the bridge" now, I just want to see the cycle reverse and start back up again.

Everything moves in cycles and pool will move up again, however, it's not going to do so without real people pushing it. I don't think the goal can be to make money right now, it must be to make a deal, probably a "barter deal" to get a TV package.

This isn't difficult, however, it does take a comprehensive marketing plan, and I still have these things from when the Professional Cue Sports Association was doing all the ESPN events with the WPBA. It's a matter of focused work, and a strategic plan based on proven business protocol.

We're concerned about the "magic bullet", how it should be implemented, and the order of events that must happen to achieve the ideal outcome. There's negative factors, and irregardless, we do see a light at the end of pool's tunnel, let's just hope it's not a train. 'The Game is the Teacher'

Your right about getting pool on the stupid tube to ever be successful. As I've said before, if someone started a new reality show based on a shi$$ eating contest you would have millions wanting to audition claiming they were the best. T.V. can make anything popular.

 

[CJ Wiley]

50k number

Who pays the $50,000 to produce the hour long show on ESPN? Brunswick lost money on those productions. The real problem is pool tables are virtually indestructible and the used table market has 10 tables for every buyer. So very few buy a furniture table new for thousands.

We need to accept pool as the fringe sport it is and optimize what remains. More DCC style events in casinos. More opportunities for advanced amateurs to compete, maybe with pros in a handicapped forum. If I enter a pro event, I know I am dead money. Its ok by me. What if guys like me could win? Could we have 1000 player events, sure we could.

Where did you get the 50k number for production?

 

[cueporn]

Where did you get the 50k number for production?

Thats the number I have heard thrown around over the years.even if it were 25k, they were losing money.

Casino type events fill hotels and gaming floors. They can be a big factor. I just need places to play.

 

[Paul Schofield]

I got out of the Game in 99......they chose to pull the plug on advertising the game at the pro level, and this proved to be a drastic mistake.

I'm not sure what happened to Men's Pro Pool after 2000, they apparently didn't have anyone negotiate with ESPN and something happened. I've never ask, it's all "water under the bridge"

I would think that you would want to know exactly why. Don't you need that information.

 

[CJ Wiley]

They don't care if it's "Turtle Racing" if it sells and people will watch it.

Your right about getting pool on the stupid tube to ever be successful. As I've said before, if someone started a new reality show based on a shi$$ eating contest you would have millions wanting to audition claiming they were the best. T.V. can make anything popular.

Your're right, Pool is not considered an entertainment option for the general public right now. Pool is not at fault, it's just not being represented, the table is not going to grow legs and make deals for its self.

ESPN is no different than any other business, they are only interested in making a profit and this means their "inventory" must sell and be popular.
They don't care if it's "Turtle Racing" if it sells and people will watch it.

I owned a Private Club in Dallas that had 630,000 members and we sold Beer, Liquor and Wine. I sold the products that were the most popular like Bud, Miller, Crown, Petron, etc. and I also carried a variety of other products that were in demand by customers and requested by my bar manager.

When new products came in it was because the REPs of the Beer, Liquor or Wine companies came in and showed us the products and pointed out the advertising and promotion being done for that particular product because it meant public awareness was up and the demand should be there as well.

I say this because Pool is like an unknown product right now and the only reason it's not being sold is because of three distinct reasons:

1) The Trade Organization of Pool is not advertising it on TV like they used to back in the 90s. There's no promotion of pool and it obviously shows.

2) There are no Representatives going to ESPN to sell the product of pool to them or anyone else.

3) The product isn't clearly defined, as to what it is and what kind of entertainment it provides. I will always lean towards it being more like a Boxing Show, with the head to head competition and three weeks out show the training and "human interest" personalities of the contestants.

Would Johnny Archer and Mike DeChaine be good for this? Probably not right away, but there are some head to head matches that would GREAT, and it's about Personalities before Performance, so Keith McCready and Earl Stickland would lead the race in that respect. imho