The best sponsor for pool?

Whodini said:
Pool, to me, lacks a personality. Across the entire breadth of disciplines pool offers, the game does not have its own personality in the same manners as golf, bowling or darts.

I am a firm believer that the main issue with watching (or playing) today's version of 9 Ball compared to 9 Ball years ago is the "drama factor". There is no drama anymore when it comes to alternate break 9 Ball, the game most frequently played in my area. A player today, when faced with a shot he thinks he has a 70% (or less) chance of making will play a safe. His percentage of execution is higher with the safe play. Everybody knows what's coming...a safety. No drama. Sure, it takes many hours of practice to be able to shoot safe with high accuracy. But why would the general public (not dedicated pool players) pay the money to see an event when it equates to watching paint dry. Take the safety play out of the game, make the players go for the out, create some drama and eventually the personality of our beloved game would resurface. And the personality of the pool player would surface as well. It would get to the point that people would want to know who these players are because the personality of the player would be leading the sport...not the game leading the sport. Did people tune in to watch Keith McCready play 9 Ball, or did they tune in to just watch 9 Ball? They tuned in because Keith was an entertainer and had more personality than all the pros playing today, combined. All other sports we watch, enjoy and talk about around the water cooler at work are personality-based sports.

I know I'm going to get chewed up for suggesting that safeties be taken out of the game. Think...a 9 Ball ring game. No safety play. No reason to play safe. The ball isn't coming back to you if the next shooter misses anyway, You either got it done, or you lost. That's a game that has personality. And that game personality creates a lot of drama. Ever watch about 6 Pros playing a ring game? Always a crowd around that table.

On a side note, having gone to the Mosconi Cup for the first time this past December, I got to say that the only drama created there was because of the short races. The Mosconi would be a much more fun event to watch if players had to play shape to get out, rather than play shape for a two-way decision. They are the best players in the world. Some people can practice a lifetime and never run a table, but that same person can play a lock up safe with consistent results. I want to watch players do what I cannot. That's the angle that creates the drama. That's the angle that will grow this game. It has to change from within.

Be well.
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I actually enjoy watching players play good safeties, but I agree completely with this.
 
Whodini said:
Pool, to me, lacks a personality. Across the entire breadth of disciplines pool offers, the game does not have its own personality in the same manners as golf, bowling or darts.

I am a firm believer that the main issue with watching (or playing) today's version of 9 Ball compared to 9 Ball years ago is the "drama factor". There is no drama anymore when it comes to alternate break 9 Ball, the game most frequently played in my area. A player today, when faced with a shot he thinks he has a 70% (or less) chance of making will play a safe. His percentage of execution is higher with the safe play. Everybody knows what's coming...a safety. No drama. Sure, it takes many hours of practice to be able to shoot safe with high accuracy. But why would the general public (not dedicated pool players) pay the money to see an event when it equates to watching paint dry. Take the safety play out of the game, make the players go for the out, create some drama and eventually the personality of our beloved game would resurface. And the personality of the pool player would surface as well. It would get to the point that people would want to know who these players are because the personality of the player would be leading the sport...not the game leading the sport. Did people tune in to watch Keith McCready play 9 Ball, or did they tune in to just watch 9 Ball? They tuned in because Keith was an entertainer and had more personality than all the pros playing today, combined. All other sports we watch, enjoy and talk about around the water cooler at work are personality-based sports.

I know I'm going to get chewed up for suggesting that safeties be taken out of the game. Think...a 9 Ball ring game. No safety play. No reason to play safe. The ball isn't coming back to you if the next shooter misses anyway, You either got it done, or you lost. That's a game that has personality. And that game personality creates a lot of drama. Ever watch about 6 Pros playing a ring game? Always a crowd around that table.

On a side note, having gone to the Mosconi Cup for the first time this past December, I got to say that the only drama created there was because of the short races. The Mosconi would be a much more fun event to watch if players had to play shape to get out, rather than play shape for a two-way decision. They are the best players in the world. Some people can practice a lifetime and never run a table, but that same person can play a lock up safe with consistent results. I want to watch players do what I cannot. That's the angle that creates the drama. That's the angle that will grow this game. It has to change from within.

Be well.
Click to expand...

So how do you explain the supposedly millions of viewers watching Chinese 8 ball?
 
cajunfats said:
Evidently, I erred in my calculation of what your view is for this thread topic. To assert that the American Public wants pool, in any sort of legitimate sport form, is absurd. What they want is something that can be scripted, created, canned, and delivered.

Now you are talking about entertainment as an avenue, just as the "atmosphere" is created for the audience by Hollywood.

Sadly, it has already been proven that there is no audience for Televised Pool. because there is no scripted drama and result. If you want the WWE, that's what you get. You would need 20 Earl's and Shane's who would follow the script and "be" Actors.
You say this could take place from a location? That's easy. Warner Brothers, Sony, and Paramount have empty buildings that can be used as sets...if the pitch is successful. Trust me, I've worked there. They can create an entire fake pool room inside one of those buildings and the audience would believe it is a real Brick and Mortar Store.

Location? Hell, the BCA can't even show a Brick and Mortar Building for the BCA Hall of Fame!! Evidently, billiards industry people aren't interested in a Canton, Ohio or a Springfield, Massachusetts to showcase their history.
Without the formation of a legitimate body to formulate and direct pool playing for what and who would be deemed "Pro Players", any idea to create a delivery venue, is a major conflict waiting to happen. I have seen every entity for Pro Pool come into being and die in the last 40 years. Why? Because they were all influenced by pool players and their individual egos and greed. It's an Ethics problem.

Entertaining? Yes, I just spent 3 days and 29.95 paying for a tremendous internet stream from PoolActionTV from the Texas 10 Ball Open. I was a "Passive" viewer for almost 80% of the event. I got my money's worth.

Entertainment must have Drama, Comedy, Ethos and Pathos. If it doesn't exist naturally, it must be created. What you envision, is a packaged product for mass consumption...and the American Public is not hungry for it. Yet.
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Do you think the American public is representative of the world public?
 
After listening to all you people, maybe instead of being the initial sponsor of the 16 Pro player only events to create the begining change pool needs at the Pro level, I'll just hang onto my $48,000 added money instead of wasting it on you pool players! And to think, i was planning on having an event every 3 months....i think I'll go fishing instead now.
 
realkingcobra said:
After listening to all you people, maybe instead of being the initial sponsor of the 16 Pro player only events to create the begining change pool needs at the Pro level, I'll just hang onto my $48,000 added money instead of wasting it on you pool players! And to think, i was planning on having an event every 3 months....i think I'll go fishing instead now.
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Don't be fickle.

Be a leader and a ground breaker.
 
While I think I can speak for most everyone in this thread, Glen, we all sincerely appreciate your insight, visions, and beliefs. Many don’t admit it

After ALL this - so far - Why get frustrated and simply say it’s all a waste of your time in post #138?

Stick with it. Forge ahead. Lead by example and by inspiring others. Angst and sarcasm have never been very effective in the past, so how about abandoning that “old behavior” and try a new tactic here amongst the members, sir?

Surely you are aware that amongst us are some of the most passionate and capable folks with deep roots in the cuesports you speak of...globally. We all know someone that can affect change or have the potential to impact change toward the goals I think we all share.

Roundtable discussion are one thing. This isn’t it.

We’re being told every idea isn’t what you have in mind. And that’s AFTER you’ve asked us all (70,000 plus members) to chime in.

This is rhetoric.

Not leadership. Or roundtable.

So with that said, how about you start anew and lead into this new era of cuesports for the benefit of ALL and not just those that want a pro tour.

Just a quick thought.

~ K.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It's a great thread and it is already long ago I've started to ask myself why is my favorite and loved game is lack of money light years in comparison with snooker for example. There are many reasons which were mentioned already and I totally agree to RKC that the one and main sponsor is the public because that is the money come from. I just was lazy enough to express all my thoughts on the theme and busy with some work.
I also agree that in order the public want to put some money in pool it should be fun and entertaining to watch. That is the matter of having good ideas how to make it happen and the people who are ready to make it real.
I quess what is also important is understanding that the real and driving power in the sport are the players. It is a shame that while during let's say 20 years their technique, performance improve, training and coaching also improve, the equipment etc. is getting better the prize money on the other hand doesn't seem to grow but go down. As a coach I have hard times to find right words for my pupils who have a talent and potential to become a really good player when they grow up and have to decide how to make a living . I quess all of you already know this sad story.
If there are quite a lot of young talented players coming in the game I imagine how big pool would become if the real money come in. If not then it's a pity but real talents and performers finally will go where the real money are going.
Olympics BTW would be also a great support for pool because than this game would be treated as a real sport in all the countries with all the preparation programs and the money from the goverment and so on. But now it is already 20 years passed from 1998 when all the work done by WCBS led to billiards recognized by IOC and it's not there yet. I quess if pool would be as successfull and growing as a sport as snooker there will be more chances to find its place in Olympic program.
 
Everyone like pool.It is a popular game

It could be Americas game,people just don't care about professionals who don't care about anything but themselves

People can put up with gamblers and hustlers in their own garb
,
but when they start putting on airs and think the world owes them a living because
they are too lazy to work and won't even show the fans respect

I say to heck with them all. Apparently that is the way sponsors and fans feel too
 
realkingcobra said:
Again, who said anything about televised pool? Main stream today is on you cell phone, your Ipad, your laptop....only a fool would pursue trying to get POOL on TV!
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As I noted, I paid $30.00 to passively watch a streamed via computer pool tournament. My statement was merely that TV as an idea for pool has long been dead.

I only watch pool via internet stream. Haven't watched television sports in 10 years or more.

I applaud anyone's efforts at doing anything to raise awareness for pool. Being a pragmatist, I know that no man is an island when it comes to succeeding at such a task.
Others are hard at work developing ideas and theories on how to achieve these goals. Some, have little or nothing to do with playing pool. Their talents lie elsewhere.
 
Without forums like AZBILLIARDS. How does the rest of the world find any info regarding PRO POOL? Where other than this forum was any news about the Mosconi Cup which is the biggest event for the USA? People dont know what they dont know? People will watch nearly anything, so with what 3 billion people in the world. I can imagine getting enough sustainable viewers if they only knew what the heck was going on. Yes pool can be boring to watch others play even for people who love pool. Doesnt mean others wouldn't enjoy it.
 
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realkingcobra said:
Do you think the American public is representative of the world public?
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I can't answer that question adequately with a yes or no.
China has 1.37 Billion People. With 20 million Joy Table TV viewers, that leaves about 1.17 Billion people watching something else. Those 20 million do however support a sizeable pool playing professional circuit. China doesn't have 450 TV Channels to pick from either.
The developing countries are better suited for pool and visual viewing growth. It's new, and that means viewers can learn the new right along with their neighbor. That's how Snooker became a household sport in Britain after WWII. Good Timing.
Imagine India with 1.35 Billion people? They like Snooker also.
Here, we have attention deficit disorder on a massive scale. If we ran a pool game in a 1 minute commercial time slot, and cut away from a shot to return to regular programming...people might take notice and say, "Hey! What happened?"
Otherwise, it will be a long and arduous road for anyone who envisions a new pool renaissance in America. Not Impossible. Just my perspective.
 
You Keep mentioning think Global, think International, not just American.
IMO to have someone at the match table issuing the warnings/fouls etc and then NOT have an independent racker is pure American thinking.
Winner breaks, rack your own is a format only Americans are in favour of. So this will not appeal on a global market.
You appear to want to put on a professional show. Don't ruin it by not having a referee racking.
But generally I like your thinking.
 
I don’t know glenn, you’ve been here before with 10 ball being the game, it didn’t go
over very well then either. And we all play 10 from time to time. So, I don’t know.

If you throw a bunch of money up, yep, it will draw the players.

You do have it right about the need for it to be entertaining, like someone said it
needs to be something that he can’t do and only a few can.

You’ve thought about this a lot wanting something big, I can dig it. Maybe it’s the
elimination format that doesn’t catch any attention beyond the players, hell, even the
players cut out after losing.

What’s going to hold the interest on a date or a day trip for those that don’t play?
What’s going to draw an interest in who wins?
It’s a big slot, it’s there.
The idea that it has to be a place dedicated only for these big games is correct.
You’re wanting this structure to have some authority; man, that something that just
doesn’t happen, it has to be respected.
I’m just pulling back the layers on 10 ball, the rotation – elimination format, why
would the masses arrive, there’s no risk, it’s not a contact - athletic sport.

Last Monday our opponents’ (team) was running late for our match from being at
Oaklawn - thoroughbred racing, and, I accepted that as reasonable - what’s up with
that - maybe cause the jockey club/racing format has a nice fit for billiards ...hmm.
Why would they chance a forfeit, at least the grief and razzing over being late from a
president day race? … and, they’re the first place team, stacked and the LO.
They walked in with about 5 min. to spear.

Something about desires has to be part of this big gig...
 
Do not laugh as I'm being dead serious , just wait and see. It's a company that either isn't here yet but more like than not a huge company like " Google " that just hasn't come out of the closet yet. I'll male this as short as possible . The country has been rapidly moving towards legalizing Marijuana for a decade now - picking up momentum exponentially last several years .

I can see full legalization within 3-8 years. It's gonna make the dot Com craze look like a child's piggy bank. While I'm doubtful Trump will get a second term I can just about assure you even if he does we will get the other side of the Isle after him. Not to mention I do honestly believe it's possible for him to push for it himself just for budget purposes too. For some reason many folks ( usually older folks ) downplay exactly how many people smoke. It's WAY WAY MORE then any of the official published estimates not even counting the medical patients. Once the flood gates open its gonna be on like Donkey Kong . In addition to that, the opiate thing will eventually be coming to a head and there are TONS and tons of legitimate medical applications for pot. Many have not even been discovered yet because big Pharma quashes every attempt at reserch. It WILL replace SOOO SOOO many artificial drugs used today it's crazy.

It is gonna touch almost every sector of business and our lives too. Self driving cars will be on the road sooner rather than later so that's a big worry that no one will have to worry about ( dwi ), massive medical applications as I said, full on recreation once the tiny stigma that is left is gone ( it pretty much so about ready ). Anyway, always talking about bringing youth into the game well this will do it as with the younger population is near 100% believing it should about ready ready be legal and as the few hold out old foggies die off it gonna be a near full concensus on the topic. The company that has the forethought and acts on this stands to make unheard of fortunes and you can believe the big boys are already on it ( and if any of yall are even half way serious investors you already know this good acts ready well lol .

In addition to this, the product also will be supplying us with clothing, building materials and fuel as well.
 
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