Billy Thorpe Ruled Ineligible for Mosconi Cup Due to Controversial 'Miss No More Than Two Majors' Rule

Billy Thorpe, one of the most prominent American billiards players with two Mosconi Cup titles with the national team, has just been unexpectedly declared ineligible to compete in the most prestigious tournament of the year. The reason is not from form or skill at the table, but from a strict rule of the World Nineball Tour (WNT): each player is only allowed to miss a maximum of two major events during the qualifying period to be eligible for the Mosconi Cup. Thorpe has missed three events, including the European Open in March, the UK Open in May, and the recent Arizona Open, for financial reasons – he could not afford the travel costs to these venues. The shocking information was revealed just before a Thorpe match at the US Open when he was notified by the organizing committee that his name had been removed from the selection list. In a statement shortly after, Thorpe did not hide his frustration: "This is one of the dumbest rules I've seen in pool. I didn't skip events out of laziness, but because the economy doesn't allow it. Flying to Europe three times in one season is a huge burden for players without major sponsors." Thorpe, now 33, has established his position in American billiards with two Mosconi Cup titles in 2026 and 2026. He has been considered one of the most versatile players of his generation, with the ability to read situations and control the cue ball well. However, WNT's new rule has abruptly halted his career trajectory, even though there is no reason related to professionalism. The exclusion of a veteran like Thorpe raises big questions about the transparency and fairness of WNT's management system. According to reports, the 'miss no more than two majors' rule was introduced by WNT to ensure top players regularly participate to maintain the appeal of the tournament. However, experts have criticized that this rule does not account for the large financial disparities among players. While top stars like Shane Van Boening or Joshua Filler have enough resources to attend every event, mid-tier players like Thorpe have to carefully consider each flight. The cost for a tournament in Europe, including airfare, hotel, entry fees, and other incidental expenses, can amount to thousands of dollars. For those without major sponsorship deals, this is truly a difficult problem. Thorpe is not the only one affected. Lukas Fracasso-Verner, a young American talent, was also excluded for similar reasons, although some sources suggest he had an injury, but the rules still have no exception. Ronel Nalaunan, a Philippines-born player competing for the USA, also finds himself among those affected. This shows that the issue is not just Thorpe's alone but is becoming a worrying trend, pushing many experienced players out of the international arena. What makes it even more controversial is the way WNT announced the decision. Thorpe said he was informed only minutes before playing at the US Open, leaving him no time to appeal or find a resolution. "They called me into a meeting room and handed me a piece of paper. I thought it was a schedule confirmation. It turned out to be a notice removing my name," Thorpe shared with disappointment. Many opinions suggest this handling lacks transparency and disrespects veteran players. From a governance perspective, this rule exposes a major flaw in WNT's operating system. Instead of basing participation on rankings or performance, the eligibility for a major event like the Mosconi Cup relies too heavily on attendance at other events, which is dominated by economic conditions. This indirectly creates an unfair playground, where wealthy players or those with strong sponsors always have an advantage. The consequence is that the professional quality of major tournaments may decline, as talented but financially constrained players are gradually eliminated. The reaction from the international billiards community has been quite harsh. On forums and social media, many fans have expressed support for Thorpe, calling the rule 'absurd' and 'killing careers.' Some comments even suggest that WNT is using the rule to force players to spend money, turning tournaments into commercial tools instead of a high-level sporting arena. Meanwhile, WNT representatives have not yet given any official response to the incident, further fueling suspicions about transparency. Looking back at history, the Mosconi Cup has long been one of the most attractive billiards events in the world, gathering the brightest stars from the USA and Europe. The tournament brings a tense, dramatic atmosphere and is a source of pride for fans of each country. However, if rules exclude many veteran players like Thorpe, the appeal of the tournament will certainly suffer. Fans not only want to see matches between top stars but also want to witness fierce duels between figures who have made history in this sport. For Thorpe's part, despite his frustration, he seems quite calm and responsible. "I don't blame anyone. I myself chose not to attend those events for financial reasons. I knew the rule, but I didn't think it would be applied so rigidly," he said. Thorpe says he will try to attend the remaining major events this season in hopes of being reconsidered, or wait for an adjustment from WNT in the future. However, with the current packed schedule, his chances are slim. This incident also rings an alarm bell about the sustainability of the professional billiards ecosystem. If top players cannot maintain a regular presence due to financial pressure, an entire generation of talent could be wasted. There have been many young players who have given up their professional dreams because they couldn't afford to pursue them, and WNT's rules seem to be accelerating this trend. This raises the question: do the people managing this sport truly care about the future of the players, or are they simply chasing profits? In a context where more and more other sports, such as snooker or carom billiards, are seeking to loosen participation rules to accommodate players, WNT's tightening of attendance discipline is a backward step. Chris Henry, a veteran billiards commentator, noted: "If they want to grow the sport of pool, they should find ways to reduce the financial burden on players rather than punishing them for not having money. This is 1990s management." Currently, the billiards community is directing attention to the US Open, where Thorpe can still compete. He has performed quite well at this year's event, advancing through the group stage with three consecutive wins. Many fans hope that this achievement may help him be specially reinstated to the Mosconi Cup roster. However, everything remains under wraps until WNT makes a final decision. Looking ahead, the Thorpe case is likely to become a typical situation for legislators in this sport to reconsider their rules. A good management system needs to balance the requirement to maintain tournament quality and fairness for all players. If WNT does not listen to the voices of the players, they may have to face an ever-growing wave of departures, negatively impacting the entire American billiards ecosystem. At this very moment, it is still unknown whether Thorpe will be able to appear at the upcoming Mosconi Cup. But no matter the outcome, this incident has shown a paradox: in a sport where concentration and skill are everything, non-table factors can decide the fate of players. Billy Thorpe, a two-time champion, can only wait for a change from those who hold power in the shadows.