Reflections on the Mosconi Cup

jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
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Absolutely the most exciting pool event I've ever been part of! I mean the passion of the fans and the pressure on the players was really something. I LOVED IT!

The fans really got involved and I thought that was a good thing. For the most part they were respectful of the players when they were at the table. And if they weren't, Michaela Tabb set them straight quick! She is a great referee (maybe the best) and is no patsy either. She literally had to restrain Earl during his "match" with Darryl Peach.

There is just no other event like this in pro pool and my hat is off to Matchroom for producing it. And the SkySports television crew does a great job of capturing everything for the worldwide audience. Once again I only wish that the U.S. fans were as lucky to see it live like they do in Europe.

Hopefully, when it airs on Fox Sports, it won't be edited too dramatically. Wishful thinking probably.
 
Jay,

Many of us watched the very affordable pay per view. It was awesome to watch and you, Jerry and Jim did a wonderful job on your commentary. You took a little heat from your day one comment on Shane's hearing impairment. Most all here knew you meant no disrespect and just needed to become more attuned to not using the term "Deaf Mute". Otherwise you were spot on as usual and I really like you and Jim together in the booth, you seem to be a calming influence on Jim and he does not get too overly dramatic with you are a commentary partner.

Thanks again and great work.
Take Care
-don
 
jay helfert said:
Absolutely the most exciting pool event I've ever been part of! I mean the passion of the fans and the pressure on the players was really something. I LOVED IT!

The fans really got involved and I thought that was a good thing. For the most part they were respectful of the players when they were at the table. And if they weren't, Michaela Tabb set them straight quick! She is a great referee (maybe the best) and is no patsy either. She literally had to restrain Earl during his "match" with Darryl Peach.

There is just no other event like this in pro pool and my hat is off to Matchroom for producing it. And the SkySports television crew does a great job of capturing everything for the worldwide audience. Once again I only wish that the U.S. fans were as lucky to see it live like they do in Europe.

Hopefully, when it airs on Fox Sports, it won't be edited too dramatically. Wishful thinking probably.
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Jay,
The live Matchroom/SkySports PPV feed was great and it was only $15. I got to watch 3 of the 4 days (had a poker game Saturday) and the coverage was awesome. You are right though. If the entire American population had the chance to watch it live on ESPN or FoxSports then I think it might garner more steam. It can't touch the Ryder Cup for drama but I think the passion and competition is certainly gaining year by year and it is becoming one of the best events and might take pool to a new level if the exposure is there.
 
jay helfert said:
Absolutely the most exciting pool event I've ever been part of! I mean the passion of the fans and the pressure on the players was really something. I LOVED IT!

The fans really got involved and I thought that was a good thing. For the most part they were respectful of the players when they were at the table. And if they weren't, Michaela Tabb set them straight quick! She is a great referee (maybe the best) and is no patsy either. She literally had to restrain Earl during his "match" with Darryl Peach.

There is just no other event like this in pro pool and my hat is off to Matchroom for producing it. And the SkySports television crew does a great job of capturing everything for the worldwide audience. Once again I only wish that the U.S. fans were as lucky to see it live like they do in Europe.

Hopefully, when it airs on Fox Sports, it won't be edited too dramatically. Wishful thinking probably.
Click to expand...



I thought it was great. I went for the first two days and then watched the PPV. Being there Live is much different and better.

With what you saw in this team event what is your thoughts on team pool?

I have always thought that team pool should be pools next step and its future. When traveling to events or watching on TV people seem to naturally follow or support their own. If a players is from SoCal and goes to the Open then we here in SoCal root him on even if we dont know him.

If teams could be regionally divided I think there would naturally be some following and support that would come. It would open the door for regional sponsors who could see a more direct response for their $$$.

My thought has been to find sponsors kind of like golf and instead of an event they get a team and an event or two. If you get 12 teams sponsored each by a company then you could have 24 events around the country and then a playoff format perhaps at one location.
I would pair with the casino trails around the country for venues or gow with rooms at first.
Even if it were 8 teams and 8 events then people could follow it and you would have a product to present a network.

I know my thoughts are all very rough but I think it would work and would add a level of excitement only seen in pool at each Mosconi Cup.

Somewhere pool has decided that they need to jump from $1000-$5000 added events to $$$$$$$ added events. Make this reasonable for the sponsors and let the players make a reasonable profit and I think it could build.
 
I wish Archer had been a bit more polite in his comments regarding the Americans' loss. It might have been better to congratulate Europe's play rather than citing the poor play of the US. No big deal, just don't think Europe's accomplishment should be minimized. They obviously played well enough to win! I guess this is just the mentality of pool players. Never give the other guy any credit.
 
jay helfert said:
Absolutely the most exciting pool event I've ever been part of!
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I'll say! You had a great big smile on your face while you were sitting next to Michaela Tabb off-camera behind the monitors!
 
Michaela Tabb - Pool Referee

DarkArtist said:
I'll say! You had a great big smile on your face while you were sitting next to Michaela Tabb off-camera behind the monitors!
Click to expand...

Who wouldn't, she is smoking hot. She can call a foul on me anyday:D :D
 
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