Industry
T
he “Pool’s Power 15” list is a way of accurately gauging who the real movers and shakers of 2021 were.
Starting in 2020, a select group of people from across the pool industry have
come together to vote on who they believe are the biggest influencers in pool. This annual list will no doubt be hotly debated and hopefully it will not only show who´s who, but also recognize the ones who make the list.
This year’s voting committee is comprised of pool media representatives, professional players, the people and other esteemed members of the community.
MATCHROOM Matchroom was founded in 1982 and has since become one of the world’s largest suppliers of sports programming. Their portfolio includes everything from darts to golf, fishing to gymnastics. The pool division is headed by Emily Frazer under “Matchroom Multi Sport”. She is very much synonymous with the Matchroom brand in the pool industry. It’s only fitting to see Emily and Matchroom at the #1 spot! Hosting the Mosconi Cup, World Cup of Pool, World Pool Masters, US Open, and soon the World Pool Championship in such a flawless manner, and continuing to push to make each event better and better, is quite an accomplishment!
PREDATOR GROUP Founded in 1992, The Predator Group is truly committed to continuous improvement and innovation. Some of their groundbreaking innovations include the 314 and Revo shafts for low-deflection and BK technology for breaking. In addition to making their mark on the cue side of the game, Predator has now ventured in balls and pool table lights bearing the Predator name. The Predator Group has also gotten into tournament promotion, with the partnership with CSI on the World 10-Ball Championship. Predator has undoubtedly cemented their position as the #1 pool brand, and the second place position is rightfully earned!
APA In 1979, Terry Bell developed an idea for a centrally controlled nationwide amateur pool organization with Larry Hubbart and the American Poolplayers Association was born. Bell and Hubbart developed a unique handicapping system to level the playing field in the league, and that league has become a resounding success. Today, The APA is the World’s Largest Amateur Pool League. With nearly 250,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. The APA awards nearly $2 Million in guaranteed prize money every year during the APA Championships in Las Vegas! This concept has been instrumental for the growth of pool!
34 | Billiards Buzz • February 2022
