Mar 10, 2023 -- 12:31PM, gjohn101 wrote:
Latalomne 02 Mar 23 20:39
Mar 10, 2023 -- 12:44PM, gjohn101 wrote:
Was just thinking of your tennis reference above lats and it's definitely an interesting one to compare. I can recall going back 10-15 years ago the same debates taking place on the tennis tour, how you couldn't earn a living unless you were in the top tier. Specifically remember a piece with a pro who had broken into the top 100 but still couldn't make it pay and, of course, the whole thing seemed awash with corruption and regular betting scandals. So was interested to read the below piece, especially the varying opinions on how many pros the tour should support. In light of what you say about the second tier, i think this bit is very instructive:"In 2022, the ATP boosted prize money for Challengers by nearly 25 percent, to over $11 million. Late last year, the ATP announced an “an unprecedented revamp” for 2023, pouring an additional $9 million (a 75 percent increase) into the tour, bringing the Challenger Tour pot to total to $21.1 million. The year-end earnings reports for 2023 will most likely swell considerably, validating Duvall’s projection. We’re barely into March, and 121 ATP players have earned over $100,000."Sure, the money in tennis is vastly superior and the ready supply of sponsors and tv revenue is always going to outstrip snooker, but the principle is exactly the same. The question is how many players should the world snooker tour support - ie earn a reasonable proper living - and how do they go about achieving it? I think we can all agree there's no way 128 pros are earning a decent annual wage, not even close, and the minimum £20K thing they brought in is no more than a sticking plaster. They definitely need to do a lot more and will be interesting to see how they go about it.
Wow - that's other level stuff, mate! That would be the equivalent of the Q Tour making a decent living!
Gotta be honest, ATM, it feels like the whole thing is just dying on its arse (no GIB, no Turkey, no TV for the replacement WST).... It all just feels a bit bleak.... Wonder how many £4.99 pm Matchroom Live subs they've sold? Bet it's not many! Come back, Barry!