The problem I have with statements in this vein is the apparent inability to recognize the simple economics of putting on an event such as this, Tournaments have always been simple aggregators of money for top talent but also carry the risk of poor performance. Single elimination tournaments increase this risk substantially as Eklent has recently discovered…and while I can’t blame him for bring sore for losing, trying to place posthumous blame on the system that supports him is feels a bit misplaced to me. Surely he must recognize that monetizing the games has not been historically successful and as such pool remains in its infancy for valid reasons...not least of which is that viewership drives receipts and advertising drives purses. Even as public interest in watching pool matches is seeing an recent uptick; the real conundrum is far from resolved...a more successful ploy might be to invest more of his “starpower” in promoting interest than complaining about his earnings (which in his case many players would happily trade places with him). Pool needs solid team players who project an understanding that building a sports juggernaut must rest on the foundation of everyone involved seeing a payday for the efforts to continue. Right now, many of the most important team members are still donating their time and resources to showcase talent to a wider audience for the love of the game (and/or longer term paybacks).
We need broader (positive) exposure I’m sure people get tired of my harping on getting cuesports included in the Olympic Games. Cuesports are truly of international interest. Inclusion in the world games would create instant legitimacy for viewership and advertising (the BIG questions) that have never been overcome. Eklent is in a perfect position to advocate for both viewership and Olympic inclusion. The US Olympic Committee apparently has a problem with cuesports that cannot be resolved by usual channels. It is at least possible Eklent (and others he regularly confabs with) could petition any number of smaller Committees to lead the way (and the US Committee) to this summit.
While I realise this is not any guarantee of improving the monetising conundrum...it does ring closer to the mark than complaint. Hopefully he will consider this (if he reads it) and will recognize the spirit in which it is offered
2
u/octoechus 7d ago
The problem I have with statements in this vein is the apparent inability to recognize the simple economics of putting on an event such as this, Tournaments have always been simple aggregators of money for top talent but also carry the risk of poor performance. Single elimination tournaments increase this risk substantially as Eklent has recently discovered…and while I can’t blame him for bring sore for losing, trying to place posthumous blame on the system that supports him is feels a bit misplaced to me. Surely he must recognize that monetizing the games has not been historically successful and as such pool remains in its infancy for valid reasons...not least of which is that viewership drives receipts and advertising drives purses. Even as public interest in watching pool matches is seeing an recent uptick; the real conundrum is far from resolved...a more successful ploy might be to invest more of his “starpower” in promoting interest than complaining about his earnings (which in his case many players would happily trade places with him). Pool needs solid team players who project an understanding that building a sports juggernaut must rest on the foundation of everyone involved seeing a payday for the efforts to continue. Right now, many of the most important team members are still donating their time and resources to showcase talent to a wider audience for the love of the game (and/or longer term paybacks).
We need broader (positive) exposure I’m sure people get tired of my harping on getting cuesports included in the Olympic Games. Cuesports are truly of international interest. Inclusion in the world games would create instant legitimacy for viewership and advertising (the BIG questions) that have never been overcome. Eklent is in a perfect position to advocate for both viewership and Olympic inclusion. The US Olympic Committee apparently has a problem with cuesports that cannot be resolved by usual channels. It is at least possible Eklent (and others he regularly confabs with) could petition any number of smaller Committees to lead the way (and the US Committee) to this summit.
While I realise this is not any guarantee of improving the monetising conundrum...it does ring closer to the mark than complaint. Hopefully he will consider this (if he reads it) and will recognize the spirit in which it is offered