What would this Mosconi Cup on ESPN mean to the popularity of pool in US?

Buster Jones

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Just wondering after watching the ESPN's production of the Mizerak championship today and then watching the Mosconi Cup today...If this Mosconi Cup wertelevised today, live, with the crowd and the indepth play...What this type of play would mean to drawing non-pool playing fans or generate new players?
I think this would draw fans, whether they played pool or not...it's just simply exciting.
 
Last edited:
Americans are very patriotic and love events which pit them against other countries

It would be very popular

Espn televise the Weber cup which is the same thing for Ten pin bowling!

so surely they can do the same for pool
 
I was watching it earlier and felt it was some of the most exciting pool I've watched.

It was really cool hearing the players talking to each other. I think that added a lot to the enjoyment.
 
Its a shame this isnt shown live here. It really adds to the drama watching it live. Watching a recording just isnt the same. This would draw a lot of attention to pool in the US. I just dont think its ever going to happen here.
 
This has to be hands down some of the best pool i have ever seen bank shots kick shots jump shots the crowd and i have to say that van den burg is the best at jumping shots wow what a day cant wait for sunday
 
It could possibly, work wonders. I'd love to see it happen. What would ESPN have to lose?

Let's start a petition. They listen to numbers.
 
Dont think it would do much for pool. Pool has a cult following and that is it.
Certainly no one outside of us hardcore pool people would plan on tuning in.

It might gain a real weak audience after about 10 years but ESPN isnt that patient.
 
As said above, America vs Europe, the live crowd going crazy, short races almost all going hill hill with ludicrous comebacks. This would have the chance of getting ALOT of people taking notice of this sport and possibly getting interested.

And it will do bugger all being presented in edits skipping half the games 6 months after the fact. Not a bloody thing.
 
Its a shame that fvcking Berry Hurn is only showing it live in the UK, you know.
Not even the rest of europe is able to SEE it officialy.
SKY SPORTS is only allowed to sell his products (TV) to UK people, so nobody else can watch it live :frown:

O.k., we all are able to see it LIVE on some STREAMS we know, but it would be awesome for pool
to have this mosconi cup LIVE at ESPN in america and LIVE on EUROSPORT 1 or 2 over here in Europe.

That York Hall is the best and most electric atmosphere I ever saw.
All people who would be able to see that LIVE on TV would love POOL and it would bring big attention.

Moneywise, Sportswise, Olympicwise etc., etc., it would only be good for pool, but Berry, you know.....

Eric"h" ----- hopes that somebody else then Berry H. would take it over:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Sky Sports Coverage

The key to good coverage is the amount of commercial interruptions. Here in the States they are just too frequent and it spoils the continuity of the match. In Europe they utilize the commercial interruption time more wisely. That gives the fans a much keener sense of what is going on and therfor makes it more interesting. This has got to be the best Mosconi Cup on record. The camera angles and coverage are flawless ESPN please take note!
 
it has to be live!!

If it is not live and we have known who won for 3 months then it is going to be a little bland!!
 
If it is not live and we have known who won for 3 months then it is going to be a little bland!!
Well, ESPN seems to continue to get an audience for the pool programs it shows -- what is their most recent competition, 1993? Until the pool mags come out, about 500 people in the US will know who won the Mosconi Cup. After they come out, maybe 10,000 people will know. The other 5,000,000 in the potential audience will still see it as a new competition.

ESPN broadcasts bowling because they were given a 17% stake in it, or at least that's what was reported about the transformation and renewal of bowling all thanks to Microsoft money.
 
If it is not live and we have known who won for 3 months then it is going to be a little bland!!

Yes, for us you are correct. But we have streams on the internet. TV is about reaching the masses.

For the average joe blow, the tv watching, nonpool playing, sofa athlete, ...he has no idea about the outcome. Let's face it, for the sport to grow, you must get the average joe on tv. Whether it's live doesn't matter, but it being unedited is important. People won't watch without building drama and watching good play with great strategy. Even non-players can tell that it's good.
 
FSN covered the Mizerak championship, not ESPN.

The Mosconi Cup would be popular to the American public if it was advertised properly and broadcast live in HD. However, it would not effect the overall popularity to the American public. People would watch and cheer for the 4 days, but when it's over, things would go back to normal. Sad, but that's just the way it is.
 
Many people (including me) are saying this is the most exciting Mosconi Cup ever. So many have said to me what a shame that this is not live on television in the USA as well. It does show an exciting part of our sport that we never get to see on ESPN telecasts. After all these years I have no idea how to make that happen, unless someone comes along with REALLY big bucks (like Paul Allen of Microsoft) and gets behind it. Kevin Trudeau was a pseudo billionaire that made big promises but did not follow through.
 
I also think that all of the audience hype only helps to set this apart as a truely unique event. I love pool but the Mosconi Cup is the only event I actually take time off of work so I can see the whole thing live. If ever there was an event to get people to watch pool I would have to think that this is the one.
 
We have it shown live here in Australia in High definition on Fox sports so it can be sold overseas no problem
 
I really wish this was shown live on ESPN. Too bad I have to wait a few months for them to hack it up and televise it in one hour segments split up over a darn month.
 
Something I think that would help build a following would be to show the match after a Jeanette Lee match..most none pool playing americans know her,and the match could be introduced to the public that way.I'm sure that people would watch if for no other reason than to cheer on the good ole U.S. of A.:)
 
Just wondering after watching the ESPN's production of the Mizerak championship today and then watching the Mosconi Cup today...If this Mosconi Cup wertelevised today, live, with the crowd and the indepth play...What this type of play would mean to drawing non-pool playing fans or generate new players?
I think this would draw fans, whether they played pool or not...it's just simply exciting.

All i'm gonna say is that if this was on espn they wouldn't even know what to do with their numbers.
 
Back
Top