About

Welcome to Legends of the Cue, the definitive audio home for the rich history, unforgettable personalities, and human stories that shape the world of billiards. If you've ever wondered what it truly takes to chase greatness at the table—or what happens behind the scenes of international cue sports diplomacy—you are in the right place.

About the show

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, and Mike Gonzalez, Legends of the Cue pulls back the green felt to explore the life stories of cue sport’s greatest icons in their own voices. Across in-depth, multi-part conversations, the show features candid interviews with legendary players, promoters, administrators, and influential figures who have built the sport from the ground up. Whether we are examining the global future of billiards, revisiting the golden eras of industry growth, or hearing how icons found their footing after a difficult and unsettled youth, our focus remains squarely on the positive, enduring impact of cue sports.

What you'll discover

Intimate accounts of personal reinvention, including how iconic competitors forge their identities and turn rebellious teenage years into a drive for excellence.
The intense discipline, high runs, and uncompromising dedication required to master the art of three-cushion billiards.
How global organizations navigate the complex politics, federations, and diplomacy required to push pool into the Olympic family.
The raw reality of building a lasting legacy, from managing media empires and publishing to imagining the future of cue sports governance.
Behind-the-scenes stories of industry booms, cultural touchstones, and the historic moments that put professional pool on the map in the early 1980s.
Reflections on longevity, sportsmanship, and what it means to look back on a lifetime dedicated to teaching, running rooms, and serving the game through survival and service.

Who this podcast is for

This podcast is built for dedicated pool fans, competitive players, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of elite sports, psychology, and personal perseverance. Whether you grew up racking balls in neighborhood smoke-filled rooms or you simply appreciate a masterclass in storytelling and sports history, Legends of the Cue offers an engaging archive you can enjoy now and forever.

Meet the hosts

Your journey is guided by true insiders of the game. Allison Fisher brings her legendary pedigree as a WPA and BCA Hall of Famer, offering unmatched technical insight and competitive empathy. Mark Wilson adds decades of high-level experience as a Mosconi Cup player/captain and noted author and instructor. Together with Mike Gonzalez, they create a welcoming, deeply knowledgeable space where cue sports history comes alive.

Start listening

Ready to dive into the rich history of cue sports? Choose an episode from our catalogue, settle in, and hear the untold stories of the game's greatest figures today.

About the Hosts

Allison Fisher

Allison Fisher started playing pool when she was 7. She won her first world title at the age of 17. To date, she has won over 80 national titles and 15 world titles in total. After winning 11 world championships in snooker, she moved to the United States in 1995 to play on the WPBA Tour. Allison did not take long to make her mark in the world of pool, winning only the second tournament that she played in. She has an unequalled record, winning over 60 WPBA titles as of 2024, which includes 4 world 9-Ball championships. She was invited to play in the inaugural Mosconi Cup.

Allison was inducted into the WPBA Hall of Fame, Billiard Congress of America HOF, WPA HOF, World Snooker HOF and the World Billiard Museum HOF.

Allison was nicknamed "the Duchess of Doom". Her greatest season was the 2000/2001 season when she won 8 consecutive major pro pool tournaments.

Allison was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to sport.

Mark Wilson

Mark grew up in Moline, Illinois and graduated high school in 1973 and attended Blackhawk College to play baseball, but pool began demanding an increasingly large portion of his attention.

He became a professional pool player in 1975. Without a pro tour in those days, a player could only earn money from the sport through gambling matches and regional tournaments. If you could excel, the reward would be a sub-poverty level income – so being young, single, and frugal were critical assets. He is deeply satisfied that somehow he managed to spend the best years of his life doing what he loved best.

Mark played in the 1994 and 1995 Mosconi Cups and captained the U.S. side in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He has been involved in pool matches in many corners of the earth. England, Iceland, Japan, Sweden, Canada, Philippines, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, in addition to all of the major and most of the minor U.S. cities have played host to his passion.

Mike Gonzalez

Mike is a retired business executive, having headed up several mid-sized companies in a career that spanned nearly 35 years. Introduced to pool at an early age, he has been passionate about the game ever since. A graduate of the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago, Mike appreciates his midwestern roots and has been a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. He has served on various professional and philanthropic boards including the Material Handling Board of Governors, the Boys & Girls Club, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Southeastern Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District (Miller Park). Currently, Mike enjoys work as Lead Director of an employee-owned firm and as a mentor to young business executives. Mike met his wife Jan in college and they have been married for 40+ years. They have two grown daughters and one adorable grandson.