John Shmidt's got action

[SoonerFan]

Mongoose,

I understand where you are coming from, but I respectively disagree.

While I really don't care for what is going on in this thread, and remember that it was started by Danny, I don't think these things have much to do with sponsors and pool. In fact, like some have eluded to, it may help with sponsors, but I don't think it does much to help.

Sponsors, meaning big outside pool sponsors, don't advertise in pool because they don't reach customers who will buy their products. Period.

Believe me, if Hanes underwear would sell more underwear by advertising in pool then they would be doing it now. Period!

Pool players just don't put their money where their mouth is. As a group, we will complain about no money while wearing our NFL football jersey and our Nascar cap.

TAR, who has brought the most unbelievable matches to anyone with $25.00, can't get more than a few hundred people to spend the cost of a Nascar cap to watch it!

Pool has no money, and we only have ourselves to blame. Period!

 

[john schmidt]

hi

Mongoose,

I understand where you are coming from, but I respectively disagree.

While I really don't care for what is going on in this thread, and remember that it was started by Danny, I don't think these things have much to do with sponsors and pool. In fact, like some have eluded to, it may help with sponsors, but I don't think it does much to help.

Sponsors, meaning big outside pool sponsors, don't advertise in pool because they don't reach customers who will buy their products. Period.

Believe me, if Hanes underwear would sell more underwear by advertising in pool then they would be doing it now. Period!

Pool players just don't put their money where their mouth is. As a group, we will complain about no money while wearing our NFL football jersey and our Nascar cap.

TAR, who has brought the most unbelievable matches to anyone with $25.00, can't get more than a few hundred people to spend the cost of a Nascar cap to watch it!

Pool has no money, and we only have ourselves to blame. Period!

i completely agree with this post. well stated

 

[TX Poolnut]

Mongoose,

I understand where you are coming from, but I respectively disagree.

While I really don't care for what is going on in this thread, and remember that it was started by Danny, I don't think these things have much to do with sponsors and pool. In fact, like some have eluded to, it may help with sponsors, but I don't think it does much to help.

Sponsors, meaning big outside pool sponsors, don't advertise in pool because they don't reach customers who will buy their products. Period.

Believe me, if Hanes underwear would sell more underwear by advertising in pool then they would be doing it now. Period!

Pool players just don't put their money where their mouth is. As a group, we will complain about no money while wearing our NFL football jersey and our Nascar cap.

TAR, who has brought the most unbelievable matches to anyone with $25.00, can't get more than a few hundred people to spend the cost of a Nascar cap to watch it!

Pool has no money, and we only have ourselves to blame. Period!

I agree! Exclamation point!
More people need to buy TAR matches! Period!
Why don't more people support TAR? Question mark!

 

[JB Cases]

Mongoose,

I understand where you are coming from, but I respectively disagree.

While I really don't care for what is going on in this thread, and remember that it was started by Danny, I don't think these things have much to do with sponsors and pool. In fact, like some have eluded to, it may help with sponsors, but I don't think it does much to help.

Sponsors, meaning big outside pool sponsors, don't advertise in pool because they don't reach customers who will buy their products. Period.

Believe me, if Hanes underwear would sell more underwear by advertising in pool then they would be doing it now. Period!

Pool players just don't put their money where their mouth is. As a group, we will complain about no money while wearing our NFL football jersey and our Nascar cap.

TAR, who has brought the most unbelievable matches to anyone with $25.00, can't get more than a few hundred people to spend the cost of a Nascar cap to watch it!

Pool has no money, and we only have ourselves to blame. Period!

I don't see how we, as pool fans, can be accused of blame because pool is not bigger than it is.

Real diehard pool fans spend money, they buy more cues and cases than they can ever use, they travel to pro events, they get lessons, and they buy TAR PPVs.

But pool has NO REACH. Pool information is hard to come by EVEN IF you are a die hard pool fan. If you aren't a diehard then the chances of you hearing about a pool event and hearing about it often enough to get you even a little interested in it is about slim to none in today's world.

My friend owned a pool hall that was right next to a Wal Mart. He wouldn't even go to the Wal Mart and put flyers on people's cars advertising his pool room. He wouldn't even put up a flyer on Wal Mart's free bulletin board.

Today I was at a social function and when I tell people what I do they inevitably ask if I am a "pool shark". They have no clue and less interest in the world of pool, matchups like Chohan and Owen that fascinate the diehards like me.

How do you propose that we market to those people?

I expounded on the You Tube idea? Why not? One guy here just talked about having 2000 subscribers to his YouTube channel and 200,000 views.

TAR obviously doesn't have enough money to go national so why not try and go the viral route?

I guarantee you that I am going to be going to youTube and Revver and every other video site in the next months to sell my products beyond the diehards. I am tired of writing endless words on these forums saying the same things I have said countless times. In today's world people want to be enticed, educated, and entertained. They will spend much more time watching than reading.

We talk about cool it would be if the players were known outside of pool.

Well what better way to that than to become a YouTube star. Look at Kimbo Slice. He became famous on the net and THEN had to prove himself in the ring. I bet millions of his fans from the net tuned in to watch his MMA debut simply because of his celebrity.

Who is to say that this can't happen for pool? We don't know until we try it do we? But it's not on the die hard fans to do this, it's on TAR and other promoters and on the players themselves.

Nascar, NFL, NBA, all these things are popular because of reach and visibility. There are only two ways to become visible in the sea of attention-wanting competitors, either you have to get picked up by someone who is already above the crowd or you have to build your own pedestal.

Don't blame the fan. I just spent a couple days checking out YouTube in preparation for videos I want to do. People like Joe Tucker, Mike Page, Billiard Club Network, and many others ARE doing their part to get people interested in pool. Collectively I bet more non-diehards and non-pool players have watched the pool videos on YouTube than have read AZ Billards in all the time it's been here. Our own YouTube channel that I put up for the Women's WC and focusing on Kelly Fisher mostly has averages of about 2000 views per video and a couple dozen subscribers. I get about 10 new inquires a month for Fury Cues from those videos.

What COULD it be like if things like TAR matches were advertised and hyped on YouTube? It can't be worse than it is now. Surely it has to be MORE exciting and enticing than boring product videos or dry instructionals which gather plenty of views on their own.

I am just saying that it's not the fan's fault. Pool is in kind of a funny situation as millions play it semi-seriously but they don't really care to sweat it. Millions watch Tennis and Golf who have zero intention of ever playing either of those two sports. So pool having no visibility is, as you said, not interesting to bigger advertisers, simply because pool, is not watched enough.

Why? Because no one can get invested in pool players because they don't know them. They don't see the players enough, they learn nothing about the players when they do see them, and IF by some miracle someone does happen to become a fan of a professional player then good luck seeing that player again on tv for more than a few minutes of edited nonsense.

Anyway this is all more of the same rant. If you think the diehard fans should be responsible then lead the way by going to all the social networks out there and make your voice heard. Tell the world that TAR is having a PPV and ask them to come and watch it. I predict that if more of us did this then it would have some effect - I don't know how much but some perhaps.

 

[THE PICK]

I am thankful to TAR and fired up about this match.

 

[poolmouse]

I don't see how we, as pool fans, can be accused of blame because pool is not bigger than it is.

The women's pro organization is a good example of how respect and dignity that attracts sponsors.

Danny's desperate attack on John is a good example of why men's pro pool will never get proper sponsorship. Not unless they somehow integrate pool with UFC/MMA.

Watching this thread is like sitting on the side line at a dingy, smoky poolroom. One player is desperate for a game and hurls "your momma" insults, and the other not interested unless he's paid to play. I would ask to be paid to play as well if someone sinks that low to get a game with me.

I may disagree with John on whether pool is a viable profession (I say no, he says it can be), but I admire his professionalism and dignity.

I've lost my respect for Danny. His attitude is a good example of what's hurting the game - he needs to grow up.

Poolmouse

 

[john schmidt]

hi

I don't see how we, as pool fans, can be accused of blame because pool is not bigger than it is.

Real diehard pool fans spend money, they buy more cues and cases than they can ever use, they travel to pro events, they get lessons, and they buy TAR PPVs.

But pool has NO REACH. Pool information is hard to come by EVEN IF you are a die hard pool fan. If you aren't a diehard then the chances of you hearing about a pool event and hearing about it often enough to get you even a little interested in it is about slim to none in today's world.

My friend owned a pool hall that was right next to a Wal Mart. He wouldn't even go to the Wal Mart and put flyers on people's cars advertising his pool room. He wouldn't even put up a flyer on Wal Mart's free bulletin board.

Today I was at a social function and when I tell people what I do they inevitably ask if I am a "pool shark". They have no clue and less interest in the world of pool, matchups like Chohan and Owen that fascinate the diehards like me.

How do you propose that we market to those people?

I expounded on the You Tube idea? Why not? One guy here just talked about having 2000 subscribers to his YouTube channel and 200,000 views.

TAR obviously doesn't have enough money to go national so why not try and go the viral route?

I guarantee you that I am going to be going to youTube and Revver and every other video site in the next months to sell my products beyond the diehards. I am tired of writing endless words on these forums saying the same things I have said countless times. In today's world people want to be enticed, educated, and entertained. They will spend much more time watching than reading.

We talk about cool it would be if the players were known outside of pool.

Well what better way to that than to become a YouTube star. Look at Kimbo Slice. He became famous on the net and THEN had to prove himself in the ring. I bet millions of his fans from the net tuned in to watch his MMA debut simply because of his celebrity.

Who is to say that this can't happen for pool? We don't know until we try it do we? But it's not on the die hard fans to do this, it's on TAR and other promoters and on the players themselves.

Nascar, NFL, NBA, all these things are popular because of reach and visibility. There are only two ways to become visible in the sea of attention-wanting competitors, either you have to get picked up by someone who is already above the crowd or you have to build your own pedestal.

Don't blame the fan. I just spent a couple days checking out YouTube in preparation for videos I want to do. People like Joe Tucker, Mike Page, Billiard Club Network, and many others ARE doing their part to get people interested in pool. Collectively I bet more non-diehards and non-pool players have watched the pool videos on YouTube than have read AZ Billards in all the time it's been here. Our own YouTube channel that I put up for the Women's WC and focusing on Kelly Fisher mostly has averages of about 2000 views per video and a couple dozen subscribers. I get about 10 new inquires a month for Fury Cues from those videos.

What COULD it be like if things like TAR matches were advertised and hyped on YouTube? It can't be worse than it is now. Surely it has to be MORE exciting and enticing than boring product videos or dry instructionals which gather plenty of views on their own.

I am just saying that it's not the fan's fault. Pool is in kind of a funny situation as millions play it semi-seriously but they don't really care to sweat it. Millions watch Tennis and Golf who have zero intention of ever playing either of those two sports. So pool having no visibility is, as you said, not interesting to bigger advertisers, simply because pool, is not watched enough.

Why? Because no one can get invested in pool players because they don't know them. They don't see the players enough, they learn nothing about the players when they do see them, and IF by some miracle someone does happen to become a fan of a professional player then good luck seeing that player again on tv for more than a few minutes of edited nonsense.

Anyway this is all more of the same rant. If you think the diehard fans should be responsible then lead the way by going to all the social networks out there and make your voice heard. Tell the world that TAR is having a PPV and ask them to come and watch it. I predict that if more of us did this then it would have some effect - I don't know how much but some perhaps.

i agree with that post too. both jb cases and sooner fan are on to something.i think they are both right in many ways

 

[SoonerFan]

JB,

I agree with allot of what you are saying, and I commend you on your efforts to bring pool to more people through youtube and whatever other venues you can find!

My point is not that the "Die Hard" pool fans don't spend their hard earned dollars on pool. My point is that there are 10 times more people who are pool fans and love pool who don't put their money where their mouth is. I have talked to countless people personally, some are actually in the pool business, who complain about the state of pool. They always talk about that elusive sponsor that should "Take Care of Pool and the Pro Players". They talk about it as though it would be a "charitable" thing to do. They just don't realize that those sponsors don't "Take care of pool" because it is business, and not charity.

If these pool fans would patronize the companies in pool, then those companies would grow. I believe that TAR would like to put their videos out for free, and make their money on advertising. But right now, they don't have the funds to do so. If they grew the viewership, then that could happen. I know that TAR bears a great responsibility here as well, but I just get frustrated at all the people who will talk about the TAR matches, but won't pay to watch them. I for one, would like to see a room have a TAR watching party! If they promoted it properly, I am sure they would make money at it and give TAR an added viewer base. Many of those who did either watch it or hear about it would likely purchase the next event for themselves.

The good thing is that there are many pool fans like you who want pool to grow. I am certain that it will grow at some time. We just have to find the right combination.



Thanks for your posts!

 

[JB Cases]

The women's pro organization is a good example of how respect and dignity that attracts sponsors.

Danny's desperate attack on John is a good example of why men's pro pool will never get proper sponsorship. Not unless they somehow integrate pool with UFC/MMA.

Watching this thread is like sitting on the side line at a dingy, smoky poolroom. One player is desperate for a game and hurls "your momma" insults, and the other not interested unless he's paid to play. I would ask to be paid to play as well if someone sinks that low to get a game with me.

I may disagree with John on whether pool is a viable profession (I say no, he says it can be), but I admire his professionalism and dignity.

I've lost my respect for Danny. His attitude is a good example of what's hurting the game - he needs to grow up.

Poolmouse

Bad boys and girls get sponsors too. In today's world advertisers want to hook up with whatever is getting attention.

You can say what you want about Danny but both he and John have barked at each other in less than dignified ways. Danny's initial post however was rather harmless. They haven't really gone crazy however and here is the kicker - IF I were an advertiser looking at AZ and I were allowed to pick certain topics to advertise in then a thread like this one would be at the top of my list. Why? Because drama attracts spectators and the more viewers the more of those people will turn their attention to whatever you are selling once they have their fill of the drama.

 

[swrooster]

Lambs

JB,

I agree with allot of what you are saying, and I commend you on your efforts to bring pool to more people through youtube and whatever other venues you can find!

My point is not that the "Die Hard" pool fans don't spend their hard earned dollars on pool. My point is that there are 10 times more people who are pool fans and love pool who don't put their money where their mouth is. I have talked to countless people personally, some are actually in the pool business, who complain about the state of pool. They always talk about that elusive sponsor that should "Take Care of Pool and the Pro Players". They talk about it as though it would be a "charitable" thing to do. They just don't realize that those sponsors don't "Take care of pool" because it is business, and not charity.

If these pool fans would patronize the companies in pool, then those companies would grow. I believe that TAR would like to put their videos out for free, and make their money on advertising. But right now, they don't have the funds to do so. If they grew the viewership, then that could happen. I know that TAR bears a great responsibility here as well, but I just get frustrated at all the people who will talk about the TAR matches, but won't pay to watch them. I for one, would like to see a room have a TAR watching party! If they promoted it properly, I am sure they would make money at it and give TAR an added viewer base. Many of those who did either watch it or hear about it would likely purchase the next event for themselves.

The good thing is that there are many pool fans like you who want pool to grow. I am certain that it will grow at some time. We just have to find the right combination.



Thanks for your posts!

The popularity must come by training, teaching and nurturing of the lambs or newbies. Too long this has been a sport where the lambs are marks and are sheared instead of taught. The "players" speak with disdain about the leagues and amature tournaments, but this is the only future that embraces growth and safety for the fledglings. To you sharpshooters, try teaching some of the hard learned lessons instead of claiming that as in the old days you have to pay your dues. Match up and play someone of equal skills for some high stakes rather than cheaply hustling those that don't have a clue. In order for a sport to have honor the participants must act honorable. Not a real deep subject, just my opinion. Come on Danny and John, shut up, chalk up and get it on!

 

[JoeyA]

I don't see how we, as pool fans, can be accused of blame because pool is not bigger than it is.

Real diehard pool fans spend money, they buy more cues and cases than they can ever use, they travel to pro events, they get lessons, and they buy TAR PPVs.

But pool has NO REACH. Pool information is hard to come by EVEN IF you are a die hard pool fan. If you aren't a diehard then the chances of you hearing about a pool event and hearing about it often enough to get you even a little interested in it is about slim to none in today's world.

My friend owned a pool hall that was right next to a Wal Mart. He wouldn't even go to the Wal Mart and put flyers on people's cars advertising his pool room. He wouldn't even put up a flyer on Wal Mart's free bulletin board.

Today I was at a social function and when I tell people what I do they inevitably ask if I am a "pool shark". They have no clue and less interest in the world of pool, matchups like Chohan and Owen that fascinate the diehards like me.

How do you propose that we market to those people?

I expounded on the You Tube idea? Why not? One guy here just talked about having 2000 subscribers to his YouTube channel and 200,000 views.

TAR obviously doesn't have enough money to go national so why not try and go the viral route?

I guarantee you that I am going to be going to youTube and Revver and every other video site in the next months to sell my products beyond the diehards. I am tired of writing endless words on these forums saying the same things I have said countless times. In today's world people want to be enticed, educated, and entertained. They will spend much more time watching than reading.

We talk about cool it would be if the players were known outside of pool.

Well what better way to that than to become a YouTube star. Look at Kimbo Slice. He became famous on the net and THEN had to prove himself in the ring. I bet millions of his fans from the net tuned in to watch his MMA debut simply because of his celebrity.

Who is to say that this can't happen for pool? We don't know until we try it do we? But it's not on the die hard fans to do this, it's on TAR and other promoters and on the players themselves.

Nascar, NFL, NBA, all these things are popular because of reach and visibility. There are only two ways to become visible in the sea of attention-wanting competitors, either you have to get picked up by someone who is already above the crowd or you have to build your own pedestal.

Don't blame the fan. I just spent a couple days checking out YouTube in preparation for videos I want to do. People like Joe Tucker, Mike Page, Billiard Club Network, and many others ARE doing their part to get people interested in pool. Collectively I bet more non-diehards and non-pool players have watched the pool videos on YouTube than have read AZ Billards in all the time it's been here. Our own YouTube channel that I put up for the Women's WC and focusing on Kelly Fisher mostly has averages of about 2000 views per video and a couple dozen subscribers. I get about 10 new inquires a month for Fury Cues from those videos.

What COULD it be like if things like TAR matches were advertised and hyped on YouTube? It can't be worse than it is now. Surely it has to be MORE exciting and enticing than boring product videos or dry instructionals which gather plenty of views on their own.

I am just saying that it's not the fan's fault. Pool is in kind of a funny situation as millions play it semi-seriously but they don't really care to sweat it. Millions watch Tennis and Golf who have zero intention of ever playing either of those two sports. So pool having no visibility is, as you said, not interesting to bigger advertisers, simply because pool, is not watched enough.

Why? Because no one can get invested in pool players because they don't know them. They don't see the players enough, they learn nothing about the players when they do see them, and IF by some miracle someone does happen to become a fan of a professional player then good luck seeing that player again on tv for more than a few minutes of edited nonsense.

Anyway this is all more of the same rant. If you think the diehard fans should be responsible then lead the way by going to all the social networks out there and make your voice heard. Tell the world that TAR is having a PPV and ask them to come and watch it. I predict that if more of us did this then it would have some effect - I don't know how much but some perhaps.

You have remarkable perspectives, John. I think you are good for pool. You may however be spilling the beans. :smile:
JoeyA

 

[ShootingArts]

cutting to the chase

. . . Why? Because no one can get invested in pool players because they don't know them. They don't see the players enough, they learn nothing about the players when they do see them, and IF by some miracle someone does happen to become a fan of a professional player then good luck seeing that player again on tv for more than a few minutes of edited nonsense. . . .

John,

An excellent post but really the heart of the matter is in this one paragraph. The general public is not invested in the players and they are not invested in the game. Neither the players or the games as televised are interesting enough to hold a significant number of viewers. No viewers, no big sponsors, no big advertising, no big bucks.

Pool isn't a sport or a game on TV. It is cheap filler to stick in when there is dead air time or stiff competition on another network that the programmers don't want to waste "quality" programming against. First run is paid programming for the WPBA I understand and all replay rights go to the network.

Until and unless we make pool interesting to the general public it is always going to be a tiny niche activity. We need a new game, a new approach, perhaps a new table. Trying to revive a corpse is a lot harder than raising a baby. If men's professional pool in the US isn't a corpse it is definitely on life support and threatening to flat line.

Hu

 

[poolmouse]

In today's world advertisers want to hook up with whatever is getting attention.

Sure, if your name is Kevin Mark Trudeau.

Would Tag Heuer or Omega have anything to do with the sport? How about Ralph Lauren? How about Cadillac? Etc....

Until the sport cleans itself up, everyone will need to continue to work 9-5 to pay the bills. The players are shooting themselves in the foot.

Poolmouse

 

[Fatboy]

Until and unless we make pool interesting to the general public it is always going to be a tiny niche activity. We need a new game, a new approach, perhaps a new table. Trying to revive a corpse is a lot harder than raising a baby. If men's professional pool in the US isn't a corpse it is definitely on life support and threatening to flat line.

Hu

thats it right there, even if it was cleaned up, if it aint interesting it dosent sell, and because people just see balls on the table until they are at least a C player they have no more apperication for a well hit CB than a stopshot(bad example), but if you dont know what your watching it cant get interesting.

When people watch UFC they dont know a full guard from a half guard or a arm bar or a rear naked choke, buit there is a fight to watch and thats fun, 10% of the fans know the moves I named above 90% dont but the 90% stil see a fight and that's fun and sells.

Watching balls on a flat surface and some guy telling you where to strike the CB everysht SUCKS!!!!! because they just see balls and dont even understand that you can strike the CB in more than one place, Pool for people who dont play sucks period.

 

[JB Cases]

Sure, if your name is Kevin Mark Trudeau.

Would Tag Heuer or Omega have anything to do with the sport? How about Ralph Lauren? How about Cadillac? Etc....

Until the sport cleans itself up, everyone will need to continue to work 9-5 to pay the bills. The players are shooting themselves in the foot.

Poolmouse

They sponsor baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey and all those sports have drama with the stars who act badly, say the wrong things, do the wrong things.

I agree that it's probably not in the best interests of players to engage in low class barking on an internet forum - BUT - we are all here watching it now aren't we?

I can pretty much guarantee that if this board were read by millions daily then it could attract some bigger Name Brand sponsors. It's not as if pool fans as a demographic is not attractive - we have a pretty healthy base of middle class to very wealthy who play and follow this sport. And the demographic cuts through all social strata.

Professional poker players talk crap about each other all the time.

When McEnroe was acting like a spoiled brat tennis' ratings went through the roof. People tuned in to see what he would do next. The dislike between him and Jimmy Connors was tabloid material.

The Mac still had good sponsorships. Tennis had good sponsorships. All the major sports have scandals both sportwide and involving individual athletes. Still advertisers stay with them because they get attention and that is all advertisers want.

Still I agree with you that there is a lot of cleaning up to do in pool for it to be able to present a product that everyone can get on board with.

 

[poolmouse]

They sponsor baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey and all those sports have drama with the stars who act badly, say the wrong things, do the wrong things.

I agree that it's probably not in the best interests of players to engage in low class barking on an internet forum - BUT - we are all here watching it now aren't we?

I can pretty much guarantee that if this board were read by millions daily then it could attract some bigger Name Brand sponsors. It's not as if pool fans as a demographic is not attractive - we have a pretty healthy base of middle class to very wealthy who play and follow this sport. And the demographic cuts through all social strata.

Professional poker players talk crap about each other all the time.

When McEnroe was acting like a spoiled brat tennis' ratings went through the roof. People tuned in to see what he would do next. The dislike between him and Jimmy Connors was tabloid material.

The Mac still had good sponsorships. Tennis had good sponsorships. All the major sports have scandals both sportwide and involving individual athletes. Still advertisers stay with them because they get attention and that is all advertisers want.

Still I agree with you that there is a lot of cleaning up to do in pool for it to be able to present a product that everyone can get on board with.

I agree McEnroe's antics received a lot of media attention, but Tennis was already a hugely popular and dignified sport, and it continues to be so, long after McEnroe faded into history. He was just a blip on the screen, just like Earl Strickland is now.

We need to bring respect and dignity to the game. Once pool becomes a respectable sport, kids will be able to say "I'm going to the pool room" without their parents cringing, and sponsors will line up to be a part of it. Women's pro pool is a good example of what men's pro pool needs to achieve.

Poolmouse

 

[Ed Simmons]

I think we need someone to go into a pool hall and volunteer to "accidentally" shoot themselves in the leg.

Look at all the publicity Plaxico got for it.
This could only be good for pool.

I would step up but I don't have an illegal firearm.

Any takers?

 

[poolmouse]

I think we need someone to go into a pool hall and volunteer to "accidentally" shoot themselves in the leg.

Look at all the publicity Plaxico got for it.
This could only be good for pool.

I would step up but I don't have an illegal firearm.

Any takers?

Interesting, I wonder if Earl would step up to the plate here.

Poolmouse

 

[GMAC]

I hope you are not serious

Sure, if your name is Kevin Mark Trudeau.

Would Tag Heuer or Omega have anything to do with the sport? How about Ralph Lauren? How about Cadillac? Etc....

Until the sport cleans itself up, everyone will need to continue to work 9-5 to pay the bills. The players are shooting themselves in the foot.

Poolmouse

Do you think players want to beg for a game or sit in a pool room all night and nobody will play them because they are too good. The players have no choice but to act the way they do.

I always laugh when people blame it on the players. When you win a golf tourney you win a cool cold million go back to your mansion and sit in your hot tub with three girls and have fun.

When you win a big pool tourney you get 10k (give your backer half) and have the luxury of sleeping in your car or somebody elses house. To became great at pool you must not work and when you don't work they only way to get money is to gamble or play perfect in every tournanment and that still pays very little.

It really sucks that professional pool players in 99% of the cases have to resort to these tactics but it is just survival of the fittest. Yes there are a few elite players and some players from overseas that get sponsored by their country that don't have to gamble, but for eveyone else it is eat or be eaten.

If these players, had a tour which paid real money we wouldn't even know who they are they would never be in a pool room or be on the internet asking for a game. We would just be spectators begging for auotgraphs.

Wait know that I think about it, I believe an NFL player shot himself this weekend while carrying a concealed weapon. Did Budweiser, Direct TV, and every other sponsor drop their sponsorship with the NFL because there are bad players in the NFL.

Every sport has bad athletes if the sport is worth watching people ignore it. The only way pool will be worth watching is if these guys start playing for real money and a network takes the time to produce it correctly.

Once the investment is made on the corporate side the networks will make these players look like church going family man. I promise.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Football has tons of drugs, baseball has tons of drugs, track & field has tons of drugs -- so does bicycling. There's even an international anti-doping agency to attempt to police it. Every sport is riddled with dirt.

Pool's image has nothing to do why it's not successful. It has everything to do with the fact that, in its current "form", it's BORING to non-pool players to watch. It's not marketing properly.

Football - everyone watches, and no one plays
Baseball - everyone watches, and no one plays
UFC - everyone watches, no one cage-fights

I hate the guy, but Kevin Trudeau was on to something. We need Vince McMahon to start a pool tour and make it like the WWF from years ago (but the matches are real). Get guys like Earl or Keith to do a "Pipers Pit" style talk-show instigating action and talking sh1t. Do something.

Don't care what anyone says.... (and no offense to these guys because they're champions).... but guys like Mika, Thorsten, Ralf, Jeremy Jones, and others are boring and don't make non-players want to watch.

Now, if you had a loud-mouth Earl or Danny or Keith screaming at an opponent telling them to put up their car, house, gf, whatever...just get up and bet something nit.... NOW, well... you have a spectacle to see. That turns into viewers...and that turns into ratings...and that turns into Omega, Tag, and Cadillac.

Look what it did for the UFC. Copy them.

We're too reserved to be successful. We're the Ben Stein of all sports...which is a shame. We COULD be the Rowdy Roddy Piper of sports if we put our minds to it. Hate to use wrestling terms, but hey... kids love it.