You have posed a dynamic, multi-fauceted proposition, which calls on the carpet, several factions of the mens pool-playing industry. But first, I digress.
Yes, there is a news stand in downtown Memphis, just off Second or Third on Union. I entered this establishment recently and was taken aback to find that they actually had a copy of Billiard Digest, just one, and it was at least one issue old, but I bought it knowing I had it at home. I subscribe you see, but to actually be in your shoes and find a copy, I had to buy it. Surely you would have done the same.
Now on to my complaint, which really seques from your complaint I do believe.
Professional Pool needs a "Publication of Record". In my opinion in any analysis of how to propel professional pool forward, a "Publication of Record" will be there.
The first publication to step forward and consistently publish the minimal: name, hometown and finish of EACH AND EVERY ENTRANT in EACH AND EVERY TOURNAMENT will see their subscriptions soar, with multi-year or life-time subscriptions, interest in the sport soars, equipment purchases soar sky high, and even entries in tournaments soar, in my opinion.
For instance, there is a low dollar, low-rated non-tour stop tournament in some out of way place, in the scheme of things ... 121 players happen to show up. It has occurred. They are from all over the region, all over the country and several foreign countries are represented. The tournament comes off without a hitch and a month later the various billiard publications print the top 8, 16, 24 of the total of 121 players. AZBillards prints the same sampling of contestants more immediately, but still insufficiently.
Now, in this hypothetical tournament, there are about 100 players not mentioned, not promoted, not considered. And, unfortunately for the future of the sport, many of them are oftentimes, from the elite "top 32".
But beyond that, how many of these 100 unidentified players are, or could be lifetime subscribers, new cuebuyers, shaft buyers, tournament regulars, top 16 finishers? How many people follow these other unknown 100 players? Exponentially, it is mind-boggling. Just look at how many more players and fans and SPONSORS could be reached by exposing even more, often top-shelf players, to public view. It seems to benefit every soul.
The majority of the public go through their whole lives and never see their name in a publication. When they are born, die, marry, divorce, sue or get arrested. Now, the billard industry has this golden opportunity to highlight something positive about a person, that they won, finished 83rd, attempted to excelled at some sport they enjoy, whatever, and the billiard sites, publications, newsletters, cut it off at the top 16, 32, 64 of a tournament, when they don't have enough copy to fill their pages, but for the same old, same old.
Pool has everything it needs to save itself, now. The old characters are just that, old. New characters are on the horizen, to be touted, paraded about and challenged. But they have to be prepared, nourished, announced, developed, tested.
Four Hundered fans at a tournament is no bill deal? How about 500? Six hundred? One Thousand? Two Thousand? Three Thousand ...?
How does an industry, pool, get there from here?
Which billard publications will step up and become, for all time sake, THE "Publication of Record".
You want to know something about baseball, you go to the Baseball Digest, and so on. Such a simple long range jesture will solidify the sport like none other. Is BCA already doing this? If not, why not?
This information is the information line for players, the betting line for bettors, fans, backers, and SPONSORS.
John Doe finished consistently higher in each of his last 14 tournaments in the last three (3) years all over the world. Can this type progress be tracked right now? If not, and it can be, how can this hurt the sport?
This is the history for the non-fan, the historian, and more importantly the history for the foot soldiers who are sustaining and building the sport tournament entry by tournament entry and brick by brick, if it can be done at all.
This is the ego feed for those players and the increased circulation and exposure for the publication, higher ad rates for the publishers, more potential buyers for the advertisers. Is this not a win-win situation for everyone?
NBN is the most likely candidate for this much-needed chore but they have not consistently fulfilled this obligation. Why? It is requires work, manhours, money, resources, for whoever attempts to do it.
Baseball Digest is comprehensive. It is cherished by the bettors and the sweaters and the players and the FANS, and apparently the advertisers.
Which publication will step up like Baseball Digest and chronicle the sport for all time by becoming the official Billiard "Publication of Record?"
