I wish that all tournaments of any consiquence had to be paid out the same way a person is paid for a job.
In other words the winnings were reported as income. Why? No one is going to split-cut up or share any earnings that are taxed.
This would force every player to fire at the cash rather than scheme out how to get the most money no mater win loose or draw!
Until this happens all big events are just a dog and pony shows and big sponsorships and money will never come to this sport.
I say this only because I have been around this stuff my whole life and the more money I make the more I realize that some of the best players only hurt this sport by not having the pride to compete honestly and fairly and much like Pro Wrestling if you know what is up you just have to wounder how can these players hold themselves down like this.
It is a sad state of affairs. Even sadder is most spectaters are clueless as to what they see has already been decided before matches are played in that no matter who wins the prize is immaterial. Is will be split one way or another.
As long as this continues pool will not be a 6 figure sport for the top 100 players in the world.
And players wounder why the prize money is so little! The talent is definately there. Heart and pride is what will more than anything else make people want to pay more and I mean way more to spectate.
I only say these things because I want the top 100 players to all make at least $100,00.00 and up each anually. Players should all reflect on what they must sacrafice in order th achieve greatness for the sport. Pressure and greatness to achieve under pressure. Money makers for sponsors. Prize money rises exponentially.
When you buy and sell 5 figures daily and I do and people like me only making 10-1000 times more than I do sponsor big money sporting events the last thing they want to see is bumbs carving up prize money. You will pay to see what happens on the level for the kind of money that interest you.
In other words a man will not likely sponsor a 6 figure tournament over and over again unless he is excited by doing it.
The only thing that will lead to that level of excitement and big time prizes that actually get paid out is world classs play under pressure with no splits, dumps,savers or on the side deals to share anything but a good time when all is done. The money will come. Many top players will not split in any way. Those that do should be banned much like a steroid user in professional sports. Paying taxes on winnings would force players to keep all their winnings. If you split $10,000 and have to pay taxes out of your half and the other half and have $3500.00 to show for it I don't think you would ever split again!!!
If this happens the U.S. open just might be a $1,000,000 fisrt place tournament one day. And we all would win.
Good luck to all
Nick
