Sponsors is the key! (Michigan open)

[buckshotshoey]

Agreed. Sponsorship outside the industry is something pool has always needed and has always managed to scare away with the continual glorification of the seedy, hustler stories. Even if the investment by Samsung is minimal here, it's a step in the right direction.

That image won't go away because too many pool players don't want it to go away. They only see the "romance" in that image. That judgment comes from the many posts I see on AZ.

 

[buckshotshoey]

Honestly the camel tour in the 90s is the last I remember before all tobacco pulled their money from everything.

If you recall, It wasn't voluntary. They were forced to. I can't think of anywhere but tobacco shops and retailers where there is any advertising of tobacco products allowed.

 

[sjm]

Honest question... do you think the seedy American mentality will die out generationally and be replaced by a professional wave as seen in Europe and Asia? Or will it perpetuate?

My guess is that it won’t die out, but if the American pros can make enough money away from the action scene, they’ll be less and less a part of pool’s seedier side.

 

[sjm]

That image won't go away because too many pool players don't want it to go away. They only see the "romance" in that image. That judgment comes from the many posts I see on AZ.

Agreed. The seedy side is here to stay, but pros may one day play a smaller role in its perpetuation.

 

[L.S. Dennis]

If I remember the story correctly, when Mosconi was offered the job of technical director in the making of the film 'The Hustler' Mosconi who was on Brunswick's payroll at the time had to ask for their permission because it was at the time when Brunswick was trying to elevate the sport and get away from the exact thing the movie portrayed. Pool was in the doldrums at that time so as I understand the story Brunswick pretty much threw up their hands and said what the hell go ahead and do it, nothing we're attempting seems to be working anyway.

The movie hit like an atomic bomb and brought pool back into people's (if not sponsor's) minds and back from the dead. The same thing can be said for "The Color of Money' again dealing with the side of pool that seems to be what we're trying to get away from today. I don't know what the answer is other than the fact that people (again if not sponsors) love seeing and hearing about pool's wealth of folklore and the Minnesota Fats stuff that will forever entertain.