SJM at the 2025 International Open

[sjm]

To me, most of the guys are now just, payin the rent, enjoying life in your youth in their section of the planet.
$1,000,000 first prize event need to happen now, not more 20-50K.
MR give us some action.

You would have Matchroom pay out prize money that in no way reflects their revenue? Thankfully, they are not stupid enough to do that.

The last time an event producer thought they could grow the game solely by paying our prize money that was completely irreconcilable with revenue was when Kevin Trudeau tried his hand with the IPT. The result was that his tour collapsed under its own weight and folded in year one.

For any event producer, prize money growth must track revenue growth. Paying out prize money that does not is courting disaster.

 

[Island Drive]

True, but life of a pool player has not changed that much comparatively, there's just more workin' it world wide.
How many nine ball events does MR host each year?

 

[jax_joe]

Interestingly, three SMEs in the pool world—Mike Panozzo, Phil Capelle, and Pat Fleming—praised Mike Sigel’s commentary.

Well what else would they do.

 

[sjm]

True, but life of a pool player has not changed that much comparatively, there's just more workin' it world wide.
How many nine ball events does MR host each year?

Seven. The Matchroom produced majors are UK Open, European Open, World 9ball, Florida Open, US Open 9ball, Hanoi Open, Philippines Open.

FYI, nearly all the top players have good cue deals and other solid sponsorships that probably cover their participation expenses for the year. I suspect, therefore, that the majority of them end up clearing every bit of their AZB prize money. Many of them also give lessons and have paid appearances. No, they can't afford to live on Park Avenue, but they are not hurting either. They will not make big money until the game grows enough to support it, and that day is still a way off.

As for the money, not one of the first 15 US Open 9ball winners won more than $10,000, with the average at about $6,000. Now, the winner gets $100,000. The old-timers had it awfully tough, too.

 

[AtLarge]

Thanks for that. So, about seven times as many matches at Derby City in the same ten-day stretch. Wow!

Well, don't forget that the International had the Semi-Pro 9-Ball and the two junior events running as well. And lots of the matches at the DCC (as well as in the International "Pro" 9-Ball) are amateur vs. amateur rather than pro matches.