If I understand Jam correctly, the point is not that pool should give back, just simply that there is no big money in the game so it is just not one of those pursuits that does give back to players that reach the top like in other sports.
You do understand my thoughts about this topic correctly.
I don't think just because a guy can run a rack or two, he is warranted to make big bucks. I do think if the BCA is pretending to be the representative entity of American professional pool, they should at least try do something about the sad state of affairs. Rules are changed willy-nilly behind closed doors to accommodate players of choice. The organization is *not* transparent.
Over the years, they have dropped professional pool players from their radar screen. There is no more BCA Open, which wasn't really an open anyway, but it was a gesture, giving the pros something to shoot at. The BCA Open had half of its player roster provided to our international brethren of players. Only half of it was American players, and make not mistake about it, it was invitational, again, many times to players of choice. I can remember that so-called waiting list. What a joke, players picked, again, behind closed doors, the industry members' darlings.
As such, the payouts in pool today are no better than they were in the' 70s and '80s; yet, as we all know, the cost of living has quadrupled. Gasoline alone has gone from 50 cents a gallon with free steak knives or a set of glasses if you fill your tank up to $5 a gallon in some areas and no gifts.
The term itself "professional pool," if you think about it long and hard, is an oxymoron. There is no professional pool in America. There's a few players traveling to four of five events on American soil trying to get ranked, so they get a shot at playing in the Mosconi Cup. What else is there? Do you think there's money to be made in pool?
Believe me, even if you pocket $100,000 per annum in pool, somebody only one or two American pros are capable of doing, you are lucky to keep $30,000 in your pocket after expenses, chop-chops with backers, savers, and all of the other incidental expenses that inevitably happen when you live out of a suitcase. It is a rich man's high, this pool lifestyle. You must come in first, second, or third place in every single tournament you compete in if you want to break even. If you don't, then you're stuck the entire time. The vision of a dog chasing his tail comes to mind.
Today, pool's Hall of Famers are sleeping in flea-bag hotels that rent by the hour. Why? Because they have no home, no loving spouse, no children, no grandchildren, no decent car, no savings, no nest egg, nothing, nadda.
If I had a crystal ball when I was 16 years old to become a pool player pro or go to college and become an engineer or some other profession and could see what my life would be like when I turned 50 years old as a professional pool player, I think any sane person would make the right decision.
Pool used to be romantic and glamorous, being on the road, driving from town to town, getting in action every day. Today, a player walks in a pool room looking for action, and his picture will be taken on somebody's cell phone and posted on AzBilliards pool forum asking if anybody knows him, trying to get the line. Gone are the days of the road warriors, thanks to the advent of Internet technology.
Gone too are the days of the American professional player. I've said it before, many years ago right on this forum, and I will say it again. The existing lot of American professional players is dwindling. Lucrative pool tournaments are being held overseas, and the majority of American pros cannot afford to travel there to win 10- or $20,000, only if they win. If they lose or come in second, third, or fourth place, they're stuck. What kind of incentive is that to play professionally?
Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be pool players unless you live in the Philippines.
