I periodically read this forum to keep up with what is going on in the world of pool. I have read several great posts on various topics. One overreaching theme that is existent in this forum is the percieved mismanagement and totally disoriented leadership of professional pool organizers. This problem is compounded by pool's drug using gambler image that will probably never be remedied. Pool has been my sole hobby now for three years and I do not plan on quitting. As a school teacher I plan on promoting pool in some capacity in the school system that I work in.
Now to the point....
Being a pool lover I watch pool as often as it comes on t.v. and I follow tournament results on this great website. However, I hang my head in shame when they announce the prize money on any given tournament. Last year the Scrabble world championship paid 100,000 dollars. An amatuer Bass tournament in my home town paid 15,000. The national spelling bee paid 30,000 dollars. Sadly the list goes on but I don't have the time to list them. If pool is to ever attain the level of respectability that it is capable of getting more money has to be added to professional events. For the combatants in the Danny Harriman contraversy I feel that even the discussion of a top pro in any sport getting stiffed for pocket change is gross embarassment. Embarrassing when you consider that college students in Korea ACTUALLY get more prize money for playing video games (professional starcraft - look it up) and do not have to beg for what's owed them.
Now to the point....
Being a pool lover I watch pool as often as it comes on t.v. and I follow tournament results on this great website. However, I hang my head in shame when they announce the prize money on any given tournament. Last year the Scrabble world championship paid 100,000 dollars. An amatuer Bass tournament in my home town paid 15,000. The national spelling bee paid 30,000 dollars. Sadly the list goes on but I don't have the time to list them. If pool is to ever attain the level of respectability that it is capable of getting more money has to be added to professional events. For the combatants in the Danny Harriman contraversy I feel that even the discussion of a top pro in any sport getting stiffed for pocket change is gross embarassment. Embarrassing when you consider that college students in Korea ACTUALLY get more prize money for playing video games (professional starcraft - look it up) and do not have to beg for what's owed them.
