The Real World

Without fans in the seats, the World Classic will struggle to attract sponsors. (Photo by Justin Collett)

VICKIO SAYS he needs to cut costs to make his tournament profitable in future years. He also understands there were clear problems that must be addressed. But his most important move, says Vickio, is increasing attendance. Without “eyeballs” on the games there’s no corporate sponsorship. And without sponsorship, nothing else works. “In reality, pool doesn’t need a whole lot of money, it really doesn’t — what it does need is a shot in the arm.”

As part of that strategy Vickio wants to continue holding simultaneous amateur events, but he says he needs to double the fields. Plus, he needs to expand TV and cable viewership. He needs to attract corporate support outside the pool industry — big sponsors, with deep pockets. Three tasks, each no small miracle for a promoter. “That’s the move that I’m trying to make. I don’t know if I can pull all this off, but that’s my intention,” he says.

Will it work? He has his detractors and his supporters, but everyone I spoke to says they want Vickio to succeed. Some say he’s proven himself, others say he has a long way to go. But as pool promoter Jay Helfert points out, Vickio already has managed to put his Galveston tournament on the map. With its relatively big-money payouts, its top-notch venue, and attendance by the world’s greatest, his inaugural World Classic cannot now be dismissed. And Vickio pulled it all off with nothing more than an idea, a lot gumption — and, of course, a big fat stack of cash.

Many had predicted doom and gloom. Others were wildly optimistic. “But in the end, the reality fell somewhere in between,” said Helfert.

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