Very good post JAM. Thanks for your input. For a guy who hasn't been around the pro pool scene, it is very enlightening to read what you, SJM, Jay, Mr. Prout, Mr. Jewett, and others who have been there and done that think about the state of things. (Minus the political stuff).
You know what's interesting about this thread that blossomed into 8,000 hits in less than a 24-hour period? Americans here arguing about whether to get vaccinated to not.
It's in our DNA. Personal freedom, distrust of the gov't... Americans historically have never been good at idly sitting by and doing what the feds tell them to do.
Americans now criticizing Matchroom and Emily Frazer, professionally speaking, that they suck for not letting Earl play, and by golly, let's all boycott Matchroom and not watch the Mosconi Cup. The new tables and gray cloth suck a big weeny, and the pockets aren't tight enough. No, wait. The pockets are too tight.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, you do not hear this negative vitriolic chatter coming from the Europeans or anywhere else in the world for that matter about Matchroom, Emily Frazer, and the Mosconi Cup? Nope. They're grateful to have professional pool showcased the way Matchroom does it.
What do the Euro's have to complain about, though? They are heavily favored, got to have it on home turf 2 years in a row, and one of our highest gears is shut down. They ought to be downright giddy with MR.
Matchroom is the best thing to happen to American pool in a long time. They are planning on hosting more events for pro players and have even added the UK Open Championship next year, a simulation of the US Open Championship. For the first time in a very long time, professional pool has been given a chance to grow.
Very well said.
And what to Americans do? Bite the hand that's trying to effect a change for the better—no, not bite the hand. Stomp it, rip it apart, and do everything we can to destroy the Matchroom mission.
Eh, there might be complaining and gnashing of teeth, but as long as folks keep buying tickets, entering events, and buying DAZN subscriptions, I imagine MR will be ok.
If I was Matchroom, I'd concentrate on a market where professional pool has a chance to grow and flourish. Unfortunately—and it hurts me to say this—the United States market is not conducive to professional pool anymore, and Matchroom should eliminate United States events from here on in.
The US is the Golden Goose for professional sports....that's one of the reason Judd Trump made the trip across the pond, in my opinion. China is definitely an emerging market, but right now Americans spend more on entertainment/leisure/sports than any other country by a wide margin. I would imagine that cultivating, not eliminating, the US market is a top priority for the pool division of MR.
If American pool wasn't circling the drain before this Mosconi Cup, it's now making it way to a permanent self-destruction. USA, all the way down the crapper!
I will certainly defer to your experience and inside knowledge on this point. Although I am a glass half full type guy, so I hope not!
Enjoy the leagues and regional tours in USA because that's all there is hope for in the future. Professional pool is dead in the water.
The regional circuit in the southeast is strong and only getting better. Heck a guy on my APA team is an upper 600 FR, and he makes a lot more than I ever imagined possible by playing weekend tourneys in Huntsville, Meridian, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Chattanooga, etc.
Here's hoping we can have a "Miracle on Ice" type MC and our guys give us one for the ages. Go USA!