What's important talent and skill or looks!

Sarah Ellerby · #1 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 08:37 AM

Hi everyone:

I hope you are all doing great this Monday morning. It's been very quiet on this forum lately, so I wanted to get your feedback on this subject. When I first came to the USA I was 95 lbs heavier and It not only hurt my game, it hurt my marketability. I couldn't get sponsorship or corporate appearances, so I know that how you look has a big role in your success but what do you all think?

Do you watch pool because you love the game, skill and talent of the players, or do you watch because of their looks, or the way their dressed. This is not just a question about the WPBA but the men's events too.

I love watching great players maneuver the cue-ball around like it was on a string. Watching great players such as Karen Corr and Allison Fisher playing at their best, out weighs the sexy image but I know that sex does sell and to appeal to the general public/new fans and not the pool enthusiasts, looks go along way.

Anyway, look forward to hearing from you all. Sarah

dirtypool · #2 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 10:50 AM

I agree. I prefer to watch greatness. Good looks is a bonus and will help with public appeal, but how a person acts and how well they play are the most important to me. I admit that I notice looks, but I notice the whole package more.

Dirtypool

RichR · #3 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

Do you watch pool because you love the game, skill and talent of the players, or do you watch because of their looks, or the way their dressed. This is not just a question about the WPBA but the men's events too.

As a fan of the game of pool, I like to watch good pool, whether being played by men or women and whether they are pretty or not. I like to watch good pool, first and formost.

On the other side of the coin, when it comes to marketability, obviously good looks and personality come into play. It is no mystery why Jeanette Lee makes a lot of money from sponsors and personal appearances. A few other WPBA players will also never be without sponsors. Good looks and personality don't seem to help the men as much as the women.
It is really unfortunate, that there are a lot of great players who will never get top notch sponsorship because they don't have the good looks.

Puck · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

It is really unfortunate, that there are a lot of great players who will never get top notch sponsorship because they don't have the good looks.

It's just the way society is; I don't think it will be changing anytime soon. We see the same thing in tennis, golf...and I think you can even throw racing into that mix with Danica Patrick.

BoisdeRosie · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 08:43 AM

One should be judged on their merits, not (in the case of women) whether or not they can give a guy a boner.

Unfortunately, sex sells, and until there is a major change in the way Americans want their advertisements spoon-fed to them, and that message sent loud and clear to the marketing firms, it's not likely to change anytime soon.

What's even sadder is that, say, an overweight male pool player is more likely to get a sponsorship deal based on their merits, whereas an overweight female would likely not be given a second thought, no matter how well she plays.

cubc · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 09:27 AM

Well understand this is a pool forum that you're asking the question on and most people on pool forums like pool and understand it so it is more about skill. The average public however does not understand pool to any depth what so ever. So would they rather see a dike troll playing a game they know nothing about? or the "Klumps" wife? or would they rather see someone that's easy on the eyes play?

That's how people I know that dont play pool look at it. They know jeanette lee by her apperance and style. They know allison fisher the same way. They actually will not watch it if the person playing is ... umm.. yea.

TX_Rattler · #7 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 05:31 PM

the truth is you will never see a modle that cant run more than 2 balls with sponsership nor will u see a person who never misses without but if u have two players that are the same skill lvl and one looks better than the other the better looking will get more breaks it is a hurdle that can be overcome with hard work I do belive it is more of a problem in the wpba than tthe mens

just my take i guess

shooter · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 02:45 PM

Of course skill and ability is the answer! But, on a serious note now.. I'd far rather watch Sarah setting up for a shot than I would Mike Massey. <grinning>.

str8shooter · #9 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 01:54 PM

I think that looks open the door and skills keep it open.

Cornerman · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah Ellerby

I love watching great players maneuver the cue-ball around like it was on a string. Watching great players such as Karen Corr and Allison Fisher playing at their best, out weighs the sexy image but I know that sex does sell and to appeal to the general public/new fans and not the pool enthusiasts, looks go along way.

Anyway, look forward to hearing from you all. Sarah

I think that marketability plays very big role if the sport in question is going to expand their fan/viewer base. And with women sports, people smarter in marketing than we'll ever be embrace this idea. Women's golf is the most obvious analogy. They have full-time teams on the WPGA to address clothing that the players must wear.

Fred