Me, too!
Most of the pool tournaments I go to, the sponsors are pool industry folk. There are not too many non-pool-related sponsors in America, though some do exist, but pretty scarce. Sometimes the non-pool-related sponsors will provide financial assistance to a pro player. In order to get your industry name on, say, TV, a sponsor would have to pay a hefty sum, which most pool industry folk cannot afford.
You see the usual pool industry names at most TV pool events here in the States: Brunswick, Simonis, Sardo, Olhausen, Silver Cup chalk, Master Chalk, et cetera. There are not any non-pool industry sponsors at these pool events on TV.
Diamond made a huge investment in the IPT by providing the equipment. In return, they were/are the official table for the IPT. Today, I fear that the thousands of dollars and time invested did not compensate Diamond for their thousands of dollars and time invested.
The only pool player I know who has received name-brand recognition from advertising is Jeanette Lee. Hard work and dedication seems to have paid off, as she is the most recognized American pool player.
I recently was investigating domain names in an effort to get my counterpart a website. I was surprised to learn that my counterpart's namesake was already taken -- "KeithMcCready.com." It is a 3 cushion billiard website.
Today, the Internet seems to be a good vehicle to promote, advertise, and sell. It is the way of the future. Look at the poker players and professional boxers who have website insignia on their clothing when they are on TV.
I was watching a bowling tournament recently, and the player who won had his own website. The audience at this bowling tournament was filled to the brim with screaming fans. The tournament monies were decent, paying $100,000 for first place. All of the pro bowlers had non-bowling industry sponsor logos on their clothing.
Pool used to have Camel cigarettes, as one example of a non-pool sponsor. Today, I cannot think of any non-pool sponsor in pool. Sad to say, but true!
JAM
