SEC ESPN Network

[Banikane]

The SEC and ESPN announce the launch of the SEC Network- A new tv channel mainly for football/basketball. So how does one go about trying to get pool added as a collegiate level sport?

Does anyone know if the BCA, WPA or CSI ever attempted to contact the NCAA about having pool added? With all these networks looking for content, maybe they are open to consider (or reconsider) it.

And along the same lines, when was the last time anyone approached a network about creating/running a men's pro tour? Anyone know?

 

[cycopath]

I have no idea, but....

ROLL TIDE!

 

[Wright Shot]

Great Idea

This is actually a wonderful idea. They have Bass Fishing as a sport. Billiards has way more history.

 

[Benward452]

There is such thing as collegiate pool, but it is not recognized by the NCAA and is supported by mostly club teams that compete at a few tournaments a year.

Associations of College Unions International is the singles side of collegiate pool. They host 9-ball qualifiers, called regionals, throughout the earlier months of spring semester. In June, they host a National Collegiate 9-ball tournament. This year it is at Arizona State University.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2206805860/ - ACUI 9-Ball Information

Additionally, there are as of right now, 3 collegiate team tournaments. University of Michigan Team Pool Championship is one of the most well known and attended by club pool teams. These are teams of 4 that compete in team 8-ball, All Offense, and scotch doubles 9-ball.

http://uunions.umich.edu/billiards/article/u-m-team-pool-championships-umtpc

Virginia Tech and Radford University host similar tournaments and have been growing since their inception.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/537196066313907/ - Radford University's Tournament

Betsy Sundholm from University of Michigan has been one of the largest promoters of collegiate pool. It's a great experience to be involved. If any one has questions about any of the events listed, please let me know because I am helping with promotion of them all!

 

[Island Drive]

The SEC and ESPN announce the launch of the SEC Network- A new tv channel mainly for football/basketball. So how does one go about trying to get pool added as a collegiate level sport?

If our industry had structure/organization and a common goal as do the SEC and ESPN....it would happen. But I would find in impossible to sell/tell this idea to any Smart business person....all we could show is NO long term plan with lack of cooperation and the typical ''what's in it for me'' attitude of pool players....not what is the best for the sport. Pool players, the BCA, and small added dollar events here/there are usually ONLY concerned about themselves than others.

 

[Cashman]

This is actually a wonderful idea. They have Bass Fishing as a sport. Billiards has way more history.

Billiards may have more history, but fishing has way more money.

There is about 5 billion dollars of fishing tackle sold in the U.S. every year.
Shimano by itself sells an estimated 300m a year in fishing tackle.

Bass Pro Shops has revenue close to 4 billion a year.

And Brunswick, yes the same Brunswick's, boat division has close to 2 billion annual sales. To be fair, they don't only manufacture fishing boats, but they do own Lund. They also own Mercury outboard motors under a different subsidiary.

Their pool and bowling business, on the other hand has sales of roughly 300m combined.

Big companies = big sponsorships. Plus now that Pro Bass fishing has established itself, and draws decent ratings, it's able to entice outside sponsors. Toyota being the largest one that I've found.

 

[Fatboy]

ESPN is the problem itself,

What we need in America is a NEW network, that actually pays their bills(A friend got burned by ESPN for over $500,000-he was a boxing promoter) ESPN is a slow pay at best, and they air barrel to. Bad people.

Fox Sports Network should pick up more pool, they do get the M-Cup 6 months late and air it during the summer, but better late than never.


If we could get a net work here like Eurosport or Sky sports it would be great, less adverts, they show the whole thing and its just presented better than anything we have in america. People here that have watched Eurosport know what i'm talking about.


Starting a network is huge $$$, Golf Channel did it, so it can be done.


A network with some MMA(not UFC but a smaller league) boxing, pool, darts, non main stream sport might work in America, I dont know, and wouldnt want to bet on it, but thats the only way I see pool on TV in America.

 

[Fatboy]

Billiards may have more history, but fishing has way more money.

There is about 5 billion dollars of fishing tackle sold in the U.S. every year.
Shimano by itself sells an estimated 300m a year in fishing tackle.

Bass Pro Shops has revenue close to 4 billion a year.

And Brunswick, yes the same Brunswick's, boat division has close to 2 billion annual sales. To be fair, they don't only manufacture fishing boats, but they do own Lund. They also own Mercury outboard motors under a different subsidiary.

Their pool and bowling business, on the other hand has sales of roughly 300m combined.

Big companies = big sponsorships. Plus now that Pro Bass fishing has established itself, and draws decent ratings, it's able to entice outside sponsors. Toyota being the largest one that I've found.

you ever see the pay checks pro bass fisherman make? Wow those guys been clocking huge $$$ for years. Its big biz, way bigger than pool, seems like there used to be more fishing TV shows years ago, but I dont watch TV much in America anymore, too many commercials, every 4-7 minutes, i cant remember what i am watching so i stopped watching TV in America.

 

[Cashman]

you ever see the pay checks pro bass fisherman make? Wow those guys been clocking huge $$$ for years. Its big biz, way bigger than pool, seems like there used to be more fishing TV shows years ago, but I dont watch TV much in America anymore, too many commercials, every 4-7 minutes, i cant remember what i am watching so i stopped watching TV in America.

Yea, a friend of mine owns a independent tackle shop and fishes semi-pro. He makes somewhere in the 40-60k range just fishing indy tournaments here in Canada. Sounds like good money for 25 or so weekends a year, but he's honestly probably just breaking even. The big pro's though are making bank.

I don't know about the States, but Canada still has a Sunday morning fishing block on T.V. I read a few years ago, that they do pretty good ratings for the undesirable time slot, but the important thing is that the viewers are big consumers.

Go to an avid fisherman's garage, or a golfer's for that matter. Tackle boxes with 2k of lures, rods and reels worth thousands, and a boat in the driveway worth more then the truck that tows it. And every year they buy the latest and greatest. In contrast, other than table time what does an average pool player spend yearly? Big market vs small market.

 

[Spimp13]

I'll give you 3 clues on why the SEC can do this with ESPN but pool can't/wont.

Clue #1: $
Clue #2: $$
Clue #3: $$$

If you know the answer based off of these vague clues make sure to show your work or you only get partial credit. Thanks

 

[alstl]

They only televise scholarship sports. Pool is not and will not be a scholarship sport.

 

[Benward452]

Again, the misconceptions of collegiate pool.

Alstl, there are at least two school I know off the top of my head that offer scholarship money to play pool in college.

Akron University and Lindenwood University have scholarships for students who play pool

http://www.lindenwood.edu/news/2012/829.html
http://www.uakron.edu/about_ua/news...=Scholarships+Billiards+Tournament+Is+Nov.+16

I am sure there are more out there if you take the time to search.

Additionally, winning the ACUI 9-ball Nationals tournament awards scholarship money based on the endowment. Both men and women's tournament.

Check out the list of winners. There are some notable stars on this list. As well as up and coming prospects.

http://www.acui.org/content.aspx?menu_id=14&id=13181

 

[Black-Balled]

...ACUI 9-ball Nationals tournament
... awards scholarship money based on the endowment. Both men and
Check out the list of winners. There are some notable stars on this list. As well as up and coming prospects.

http://www.acui.org/content.aspx?menu_id=14&id=13181

And more than a few AZB folks there too...!

 

[Wright Shot]

Wow

Billiards may have more history, but fishing has way more money.

There is about 5 billion dollars of fishing tackle sold in the U.S. every year.
Shimano by itself sells an estimated 300m a year in fishing tackle.

Bass Pro Shops has revenue close to 4 billion a year.

And Brunswick, yes the same Brunswick's, boat division has close to 2 billion annual sales. To be fair, they don't only manufacture fishing boats, but they do own Lund. They also own Mercury outboard motors under a different subsidiary.

Their pool and bowling business, on the other hand has sales of roughly 300m combined.

Big companies = big sponsorships. Plus now that Pro Bass fishing has established itself, and draws decent ratings, it's able to entice outside sponsors. Toyota being the largest one that I've found.

Great info here man. Thanks for sharing!