Pro Pool Players Can't Make A Living!

You want me to tell?

Why do I have to say it? Are you serious? You mean that this question is so difficult that nobody else gets it?

I don't think so! Like I said at the start...the answer is about as obvious as gravity.

Maybe this is actually the reason why billiards has wallowed in this situation for decades!

I guess people really just don't get it!!!!!

I'm stunned to be honest with you!
 
Why is it that the professional pool players make so little money?

This subject has been beat to death.

No big time corporate sponsors paying to sponsor Pool. no TV coverage of Pool, so again no sponsorship money, or advertising revenues,

Too many pool organization, (BCA, APL, APL. etc.) or bodies governing what Pool so you do not have just ONE BODY like in REAL SPORTS RUNNING THE SHOW.

Like NASCAR, NHRA, NFL, MLB, Basketball, etc.

Ar you a talented Pool Player? Do you have the ability to learn GOLF, do so become a Pro Golfer. Make a decent living.
 
Why do I have to say it? Are you serious? You mean that this question is so difficult that nobody else gets it?

I don't think so! Like I said at the start...the answer is about as obvious as gravity.

Maybe this is actually the reason why billiards has wallowed in this situation for decades!

I guess people really just don't get it!!!!!

I'm stunned to be honest with you!

Why should you be stunned? Apparently we've all been tripping over ourselves for decades. Please do help us solve this dilemma. Oh, and I'm sure you'd be willing to put your name behind it, right?
 
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I know my opinions may differ from many that are out there, but these are my thoughts. And, they come from my perspective being in the industry for the last 9 years or so.

The reason golf has millions of dollars for tournament prize funds is basic economics, supply and demand. The facts are that companies will put up tons of money to sponsor a golf tournament because it's a profitable venture for them. When Accenture sponsors a golf tournament, they make more money than what the spend to sponsor the tournament. The viewership of golf tournaments is not only very high, but it's also the demographic of people with the discretionary income to patronize the sponsors.

The Reason pool does not have millions of dollars for tournament prize funds is basic economics, supply and demand. There are very few, comparatively speaking, that will even watch a pool tournament, and those that do may not necessarily fit into the proper demographic to attract big money sponsors.

It's as simple as that.

Our amateur pool scene, for the most part, isn't even knowledgeable of who the current professional players are. We need to go back to the basics and have our elite players earn the respect and adoration of the amateur players.

Mike Dechaine doing very well at this. It's a long hard road, but it's the only one that leads to a good strong pro contingent.

Those are my views and opinions.


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
[/B]
I agree with most of your post :thumb up:

BUMS ON SEATS - That's the commercial quest...
...How do you get a bigger audience? Go back to basics and set in place the right foundations! THE LONG WAY HOME...
:thumbup:
 
Back in the day, Willie Mosconi was on Brunswicks pay roll. Willie ran around the country to rooms promoting the game, Brunswick invested in, or invested in Willie was good business. As Brunswick saw a huge return in their investment.
 
Prize money comes from investors. Investors make their money by viewers/spectators buying the investors products. Currently, there are not enough viewers/spectators.

It will take a long time for pool to substantially increase it's popularity. IMHO, if it does happen and for it to sustain, it will start with youths and children through school and child programs. Incorporate pool in teaching physics, math, geometry and after school child social gatherings.
 
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The difficulties in generating (wealth / global) interest in Pool isn't the question nor the answer... This will only hurt the brain and waste resources.

The question and answer is:
How do you get everyone involved in pool on the same page, preaching from the same book at the same time!
Achieve this - we will see a change.
A change brings a different outcome. Whether it is good for the game or not. At least change would be upon us...


IMO - I think most would agree that a change in 'pool' administration is needed (hope I'm not wrong in thinking this?) :thumbup:
 
Like I said earlier...

Like I said earlier...many of you are not going to like what I have to say if and when I give (I could say my opinion but actually, it is the very reason) the answers to my original questions.

The more I watch your responses and how most of you are giving some reasons why there isn't more money but not pinpointing the actual cause, it is becoming more and more obvious why this has gone on for so long and by all appearances...will continue indefinitely by the looks of things.

To be fair though, some of you have dropped grenades all around the actual reason but no one has come right out and got to the nuts and bolts of this problem.

Sorry that I haven't divulged the actual reason but I am just waiting to see how long it's gonna take before someone actually has the testicles to admit the truth.

By the way, this isn't some game I'm playing here. I'm not trying to get a lot of attention by holding off on my answer.

I am gaining more understanding into the depth of this problem though by seeing how long it is taking for people to bring up the OBVIOUS reasons why this problems exists!

...still waiting!
 
Like I said earlier...many of you are not going to like what I have to say if and when I give (I could say my opinion but actually, it is the very reason) the answers to my original questions.

The more I watch your responses and how most of you are giving some reasons why there isn't more money but not pinpointing the actual cause, it is becoming more and more obvious why this has gone on for so long and by all appearances...will continue indefinitely by the looks of things.

To be fair though, some of you have dropped grenades all around the actual reason but no one has come right out and got to the nuts and bolts of this problem.

Sorry that I haven't divulged the actual reason but I am just waiting to see how long it's gonna take before someone actually has the testicles to admit the truth.

By the way, this isn't some game I'm playing here. I'm not trying to get a lot of attention by holding off on my answer.

I am gaining more understanding into the depth of this problem though by seeing how long it is taking for people to bring up the OBVIOUS reasons why this problems exists!

...still waiting!

Got it. You've got nothing. I'm moving on.
 
Wow...

Now we're getting closer! Not there yet but shrapnel from the grenades is starting to permeate the meat! Come on guys...think!

Honestly...the answers are OBVIOUS!

It takes people who are willing to see the truth and accept the responsibility to bring change!
 
Yeah that's it FranCrimi...move on!

Go ahead and move on if you like! Most others have chosen to move on because they keep choosing to kick the can down the road...for decades!
 
Like I said earlier...many of you are not going to like what I have to say if and when I give (I could say my opinion but actually, it is the very reason) the answers to my original questions.

The more I watch your responses and how most of you are giving some reasons why there isn't more money but not pinpointing the actual cause, it is becoming more and more obvious why this has gone on for so long and by all appearances...will continue indefinitely by the looks of things.

To be fair though, some of you have dropped grenades all around the actual reason but no one has come right out and got to the nuts and bolts of this problem.

Sorry that I haven't divulged the actual reason but I am just waiting to see how long it's gonna take before someone actually has the testicles to admit the truth.

By the way, this isn't some game I'm playing here. I'm not trying to get a lot of attention by holding off on my answer.

I am gaining more understanding into the depth of this problem though by seeing how long it is taking for people to bring up the OBVIOUS reasons why this problems exists!

...still waiting!

I like your style. The art of fighting without fighting :thumb up:

BUT SERIOUSLY - Those who can do. Those who can't teach...
I'm a doer and that's why I'm always interested in these kind of verbal exchanges.
The more doers we have in our industry - CSI springs to mind - the greater % growth will happen over time for pool.
Now I'm off to continue to do...
:thumbup:
 
American pool needs to stop letting the armatures compete in pro calibre events. A qualifier that the ppl in the competition have to qualify to be able to compete with the big dogs.... Put all the big dogs in a pen at a long race and let the cream rise to the top' Rob.M

Rob,

As a known "Dead Money" player, I'm mortified at your suggestion. Take us amatuer players out of a "pro" tournament and you have NO tournament. Mark G's challenge scenario is an interesting twist on new events. As we found out, there is a potential down side as well. Force the amatuers to play in qualifiers at their expense just to challenge the pro's (again at their expense) and you have a scenario destined to fail. Why would I want to do that? I'd just pack my bags and drive to the Turning Stone and play in a "professional" event.

Secondly, who is a professional pool player? Look on the BCAPL / CSI website and there are none! Only "Greand Master" players. ACS, APA and VNEA do have a list but they're years out of date. How does someone become a "pro". Define that please.

Professional pool is either dead or dying. Whether we like it or not. Who's to blame? Way too many factors. Some say the players themselves for having too many failed self-governing player bodies. Some say BCA. No action from the governing body of American pool. Some say the promoters are making most of the money. Some say it's the economy. In reality it is a combination of all of the above and more.

Guess I'm jaded. You can find me at a variety of amatuer "only" events. As there is no definition of a professional, known players are still allowed in to many of the events I play in :eek: . Oh well. It's either that or no events at all.

Lyn
 
Go ahead and move on if you like! Most others have chosen to move on because they keep choosing to kick the can down the road...for decades!

I think most people won't like what you have to say because you say it in a condescending manner. Also, if you stop putting the cart before the horse, it might help. I have an answer, but I'm saving it for a chance to try it out.
 
Go ahead and move on if you like! Most others have chosen to move on because they keep choosing to kick the can down the road...for decades!

Novel idea: How about you just say it already. You're not nearly as important as you think you are, and your revelation, odds are, is nothing new. So set aside your misconstrued vision of self-worth and stop wasting everyone's time. Say what you want to say so we can put this thread to rest the same as we did the hundreds that came before it.
 
Is it that the pros can't make a living or there is no money in pro pool? So if all the pros packed up and said screw it there is no money in this profession. What would happen?
 
Does anyone know any live stream data? Free vs PPV. What was the highest stream count and ideas as to why?
 
Is it that the pros can't make a living or there is no money in pro pool? So if all the pros packed up and said screw it there is no money in this profession. What would happen?

Barry Behrman, Mark Griffen and Barry Hearn would be sad for a week.
 
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