Sponsors is the key! (Michigan open)

[trob]

I have said for years that we need sponsors not affiliated with pool to take that big step forward. Watching the Michigan open behind the players it says sponsered by Samsung. Not sure how much the investment is (I’m sure it’s minimal at this point)and I’m sure all the negative people on here will shit on it but it’s a start And great to see!

 

[sjm]

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.

 

[briankenobi]

This is the second time I have seen a Predator event with outside pool money. I believe some earlier events were sponsored by wine/beer company from the Puerto Rico area.

 

[trob]

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.

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

 

[iusedtoberich]

It's a great step! CSI, now partnering with Predator, has steadily increased their event quality the past 15 years. More events. More players. More sponsors. More payouts. Free on both youtube and on their TV channel now.

 

[measureman]

I watch the billiard channel on Samsung TV plus(channel 1186) and they have commercials,so the more eyes the more they can charge for commercials.

 

[sjm]

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

Yes, and Gordon's, a major brand of both gin and vodka, was a WPBA sponsor.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I disagree. What you need is eyeballs. The sponsors will follow. I urge you all to read Barry Hearn's autobiography. One of the world snooker championships (which Matchroom produced) had half a billion viewers. Viewers cause sponsors, not the other way around.

 

[skogstokig]

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

i seem to remember san miguel beer sponsoring a WC in the noughties. icbw.

i don't mind vice-ridden sponsors. alcohol, bookies, online casinos etc. i've noticed some people (and countries) objecting to gambling sponsors in snooker, but really these sponsors played a big part in bumping up prize money. kids can't log in to online casinos anyway. and addicts are adults, no sport is forcing them to gamble/drink

 

[JAM]

It's a great step! CSI, now partnering with Predator, has steadily increased their event quality the past 15 years. More events. More players. More sponsors. More payouts. Free on both youtube and on their TV channel now.

One thing I noticed about the Predator events is how much they are liked by the pros themselves. This Michigan Open is always well attended but the one in Puerto Rico was a favorite of many a pro. I enjoyed seeing all the photos last year. Build it and they will come. Predator is continuing to build back better, as they say in DC. And when this happens, the sponsors will come. It's a win-win.

 

[trob]

I disagree. What you need is eyeballs. The sponsors will follow. I urge you all to read Barry Hearn's autobiography. One of the world snooker championships (which Matchroom produced) had half a billion viewers. Viewers cause sponsors, not the other way around.

Well we are obviously starting to get the viewers if sponsors are coming. The only way players are to get money is from those sponsors. Not cheap pool players who complain about spending $10 for 4 days of a tournament.

 

[sjm]

I disagree. What you need is eyeballs. The sponsors will follow. I urge you all to read Barry Hearn's autobiography. One of the world snooker championships (which Matchroom produced) had half a billion viewers. Viewers cause sponsors, not the other way around.

While this is true, greater participation in pool is likely on the critical path to having high viewership numbers and the continued glorification of the seedy hustling stories is at odds with getting young people involved in playing pool.

When pool had its ESPN contracts, ESPN observed that the demographic that watched pool had aged over the years and was a low-income demographic, making it unattractive to sponsors.

Until pool is more successful in courting younger viewers than it has been, even an increase in viewership might not make it attractive enough to the out of industry sponsors it covets.

That's why it's good to see Matchroom trying so hard to raise the profile of the game. They are also giving young players new opportunities to both exhibit and hone their skills. They are trying to grow the sport to the point that its most visible professionals will make a good living without gambling. If they realize their dreams, they can help realize our dreams and pool players will get the kind of respect already enjoyed by snooker stars.

 

[Black-Balled]

Well we are obviously starting to get the viewers if s-Mosers are joking. The only way players are to get money is from those sponsors. Not cheap pool players who complain about spending $10 for 4 days of a tournament.

When can the cross country skating team accept your first contribution?

 

[boogieman]

While this is true, greater participation in pool is likely on the critical path to having high viewership numbers and the continued glorification of the seedy hustling story is at odds with getting young people involved in playing pool.

When pool had its ESPN contracts, ESPN observed that the demographic that watched pool had aged over the years and was a low-income demographic, making it unattractive to sponsors.

Until pool is successful in courting younger viewers than it has been, even an increase in viewership might not make it attractive enough to the out of industry sponsors it covets.

That's why it's good to see Matchroom trying so hard to raise the profile of the game. They are also giving young players new opportunities to both exhibit and hone their skills. They are trying to grow the sport to the point that its most visible professionals will make a good living without gambling. If they realize their dreams, they can realize their dreams.

Is SVB still doing the youth pool thing? I completely forget what it was called but that youth league could be a great springboard for the sport, especially with high profile pros helping out.

 

[sjm]

Is SVB still doing the youth pool thing? I completely forget what it was called but that youth league could be a great springboard for the sport, especially with high profile pros helping out.

Not sure, but he'll be the host at the SVB Junior Open, which coincides with the US Open, next week.

 

[Deadpunch]

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.

I heard the commentators asking each other what Samsung TV Plus was. They weren’t sure. It’s a mystery why pool doesn’t attract more non pool related sponsors.

 

[measureman]

Well we are obviously starting to get the viewers if s-Mosers are joking. The only way players are to get money is from those sponsors. Not cheap pool players who complain about spending $10 for 4 days of a tournament.

Hey leave me out of this.

 

[trob]

Hey leave me out of this.

Sorry lol didn’t realize my iPad did some weird spell check thing

 

[eg9327]

I disagree. What you need is eyeballs. The sponsors will follow. I urge you all to read Barry Hearn's autobiography. One of the world snooker championships (which Matchroom produced) had half a billion viewers. Viewers cause sponsors, not the other way around.

Too many amateur players are not interested in watching professional level pool. I live 11 miles from the annual Derby City Classic and go religiously every year. Louisville has a reasonably sized amateur billiard community, but only a small percentage actually support this world famous tournament. It is sad.

 

[nataddrho]

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.

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?