SJM – My Thoughts on WPA’s Actions

If a bunch of small town pool playing folk in America, can magically create their own sports organizations in the year 2023. That is a wonder for many outside of America.

Why can't Europeans just do what Americans do and start their own billiard leagues?
The Filipinos have their own pool leagues.

Who in the European government is actually saying "I need to manage billiards at the ministry of sports?" Let's privatize sports in Europe.

The only way to phase out the WPA is to usurp the need for the organization. Change the political pressure, demand local governments privatize billiards. Let's live in a free global billiard world.

Today's internet provides more organizational options than allowed back in the 1950s.
 
Cameron Smith said:
I think the benefit to the federations is that the WNT provides broader exposure which, generates increased interest in the game and filters back to the federations in the form of more players, exposure and eventually probably more money. Professional sport is as much an advertisement for the sport itself as it is entertainment.

I agree that in theory, we need something like the WPA to oversee the game and maintain its integrity. But I don’t see any history that suggests that the WPA would do anything to influence the direction of the WNT at all. They are supposed to be a regulatory body, but yet we have more formats and variations than bar room 8 ball at this point.

We have no clear classification of professional/amateur. We’ve seen that the WPA doesn’t have a good track record about going to bat for players when they aren’t being paid. I honestly don’t see a scenario where they influence anything about matchrooms strategy.

With respect to banning players, the language they are using is that any player that plays in a non-sanctioned tournament that qualifies for sanctioning, will be banned for up to 6 months and receive a $500 fine. We have to assume they will follow through because not doing so would undermine their credibility. And I believe enforcement is left up to the regional reps and we know that a few are very committed to such punitive actions.

I agree with other people that the best solution is that the WPA and it’s affiliates focus their energies on grass roots pool, including the development of the other games, and partner with WNT for them to handle the commercial interests of the game.
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WPA (the "governing body") and MR (the "promoter")should be complementary and collaborative rather than competitive. They shouldn't be stepping on each other's toes.
If the player's are torn between the two, it's because they have allegiances to both. That makes sense because each serves a different purpose in their careers - how they got started and where they want to go.
WPA should be the closest thing to a union and advocate for the players as well as the game. They are not acting that way, for sure.
 
kev_eh said:
WPA (the "governing body") and MR (the "promoter")should be complementary and collaborative rather than competitive. They shouldn't be stepping on each other's toes.
If the player's are torn between the two, it's because they have allegiances to both. That makes sense because each serves a different purpose in their careers - how they got started and where they want to go.
WPA should be the closest thing to a union and advocate for the players as well as the game. They are not acting that way, for sure.
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Nice post. Well said.
 
Cameron Smith said:
I think the benefit to the federations is that the WNT provides broader exposure which, generates increased interest in the game and filters back to the federations in the form of more players, exposure and eventually probably more money. Professional sport is as much an advertisement for the sport itself as it is entertainment.
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What you have stated here makes sense to the general public, but there might be more to it than we know. Someone mentioned in another thread that the best Vietnamese player, Duong Quoc Hoang, was prevented by the country's federation from playing in the Hanoi Open. To me this is a shame because you have lots of other Vietnamese playing in it. However, without evidence, I guess one could assume that he was prevented because the federation saw him as Matchroom's poster boy for Vietnam. What else could it be?
 
sjm said:
This is misleading. The funds that finance pool in European countries receiving IOC money is not really taxpayer money. Here's an excerpt from a previous post of mine on this subject:
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Thanks for correcting me.

So, if the biggest chunk of the IOC money comes from broadcast rights, and that is fed back to the federations of the European countries, it is no wonder WPA is getting nervous about Matchroom. They are in direct competition for selling broadcast rights, and WPA can't hold a candle next to Matchroom as far as production quality, and the product itself.
 
As an American its shocking that if Europeans wanted to host a memorial pool event their federation would not allow players to compete without sanctioning.

Emily Frazer is doing something right if WPA is making an above average number of press releases. The latest WPA press release has measured eyes ok it and popular opinion is clear.

Emily used to be the unknown in billiards. Today she is one of the fiercest lions on the field.

Go Emily!

Of all the industry organizers I hope she has the best career. If she chooses to stay with billiards it could depend on choices players make

WPA is ok too. Emily is just decorated and proven as a capable leader.

Its time to march on choosing sides.
 
If SVB is not playing WPA, who will be America's Top loser sanctioned by the WPA?

Is US participation in WPA events still desired? SVB can be the exception or the rule.
 
sjm said:
I struggle to understand this comparison. LIV began a new golf organization and paid players enough money to join up that it more than made up for earnings foregone in PGA play.

The only similarity I see here is the possibly unsavory collaboration with the Middle East.
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The PGA banned any tour members who left for LIV Golf, and they also banned non-members. It seemed to be a strong arm move to keep control of the golf world.

I don't follow golf, but I guess there has now been some progress on letting players play in both tours. Still, it's been a mess. Lots of information about this on the internet.
 
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sjm said:
That's a good question --- probably nobody in the Top 100 based on Fargo rating.
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Hunter was at a few of the worlds.

Does this mean USA officially is retiring its top gun in billiards?

There will not be another SVB caliber for who knows how long. The second coming of the greatest American pool player might not be for another 1000 years, a thousand years.

Its the American sports curse.

Hunter Lombardo is what US has.

Go Hunter. Does he need a witness at the next match?
 
justnum said:
There will not be another SVB caliber for who knows how long. The second coming of the greatest American pool player might not be for another 1000 years, a thousand years.
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A strange comment indeed. Since 2000, three different Americans have held the World #1 ranking in Deuel, Strickland and SVB. Why would it take 1,000 years to produce another?
 
sjm said:
A strange comment indeed. Since 2000, three different Americans have held the World #1 ranking in Deuel, Strickland and SVB. Why would it take 1,000 years to produce another?
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That was before the WPA started putting up record prize amounts to compete with the long term American investment in pool.

Now that the WPA has a comprehensive plan it will be a more fair organizational battle. The Olympics lasted 2000 years, I hope pool makes it to the 1000 mark. World Records can take 1000s of years to break.

Why does America ever have to compete in WPA?

Like how we look back on the Cleopatra quote. People may study what happen in this current events of billiards.

The WPA has a youth program now too. Everyone will be technically better by education. Just like how foreign students always outcompete American students.

American pool players do not have a future in the WPA.
 
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justnum said:
That was before the WPA started putting up record prize amounts to compete with the long term American investment in pool.
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Not accurate. From 2000-2020, WPA majors outside of the USA were, more or less restricted to the China Open, the All Japan, and the World 9-ball. The greater investments to which you refer didn't come until recently.

justnum said:
American pool players do not have a future in the WPA.
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Short-term, you may be right, but what's going on now is only the first of many chapters in this scuffle.
 
Banger said:
The PGA banned any tour members who left for LIV Golf, and they also banned non-members. It seemed to be a strong arm move to keep control of the golf world.

I don't follow golf, but I guess there has now been some progress on letting players play in both tours. Still, it's been a mess. Lots of information about this on the internet.
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Good point. In each case, those going to the new organization in town were banned. I hadn't considered that.
 
As far as I know, the PGA did not actually ban players. The Liv golfers did not comply with the requirements for maintaining status. They didn’t play in the required minimum of events.
 
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buckshotshoey said:
I wonder if the w p a and match room would be open to the idea of a neutral Arbitrator?
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Certainly an interesting idea, but probably not possible any time soon. The WPA seems to feel that it holds all the cards and until they feel otherwise, I doubt they'd submit to arbitration.

If Matchroom continues to grow to the point that they are a much more formidable threat to WPA, this could change.
 
sjm said:
Certainly an interesting idea, but probably not possible any time soon. The WPA seems to feel that it holds all the cards and until they feel otherwise, I doubt they'd submit to arbitration.

If Matchroom continues to grow to the point that they are a much more formidable threat to WPA, this could change.
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I think Matchroom is already a formidable threat. Otherwise the WPA wouldn't be displaying this behavior.
 
buckshotshoey said:
I think Matchroom is already a formidable threat. Otherwise the WPA wouldn't be displaying this behavior.
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Yes, but not a big enough threat that they can build a virtual monopoly in men's pro pool anytime soon. That could change if Matchroom grows prize money to the point that WPA can't compete.
 
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