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EXCLUSIVE Interview with Barry Hearn
In the following article I speak with Barry Hearn about his proposed bid to be the chairman of The WPBSA if Sir Rodney Walker is voted off of the board by The WPBSA members at next weeks AGM in Telford, I have also spoken with Pat Mooney on this subject for what this would mean for The SPA.
Hi Barry and thank you for conducting this interview with us on what I am sure will be known in years to come as a pivotal moment in the future of Snooker, there are many rumours going around at the moment mostly exaggerated and plucked out of thin air after the original article by David Hendon on his blog saying that if the role of chairman was available that you would relish the challenge of the position but only with the backing of the players.
This original statement has been turned around and passed about like Chinese whispers and if you read some of the postings on TheSnookerForum.com then you are lead to believe that you will be reducing the main tour to 32 players and scrapping the BBC for Sky, so let us set a few of these points in stone and give the public the facts form base-camp.
As you are probably aware you have got a lot of support for becoming chairman of The WPBSA from many people inside the Snooker world like Pat Mooney, Clive Everton and a large percentage of the professional players including Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve Davis, there is also a large number of the fans who are backing you, there is even a Facebook group titled “Walker out, Hearn in” which has 120 members.
So lets start with a few facts, below is your original statement;
Do you have a structured business plan in place if you were to be elected in as Chairman of the WPBSA?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Do you have any plans regarding broadcasting changes?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
I ask Barry if these 25 weekend events if not televised would they be atleast streamed on the internet.
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Would previous ranking tournaments such as the British Open be revived in your future plans for the game together with non ranking events such as the world doubles/world team cup which John Higgins has expressed an interest in, in the past?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Do you have any plans on reducing the number of players on the professional circuit?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
ADR147 asks “What do you bring to the game that the current board don't? other than ones hopes, ambition and vision?”
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Noel asks"Mr. Hearn... Assuming you become Chairman of the WPBSA and assuming you have what you consider to be a successful term or terms in office...
what would be the 3 things you would hope to be remembered for?"
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Shortly after the interview with Barry Hearn I sent off a few questions to Elaine Eyers, company secretary of World Snooker Ltd (The Questions are below) her response was “I would refer you to the statement already released and when there are any further developments the WPBSA will notify its membership first.”
Questions for Elaine Eyers;
With the announcement yesterday of a proposed increase of the main tour to 15 events there has been many questions raised which I would like to put to you.
The first question being the point of sponsorship for these events with The Welsh Open not having a sponsor for many years and no sponsor for this years Grand Prix in Glasgow do you think the new proposed calendar will draw in the sponsors?
What percentage of these new events would be televised on the BBC, EuroSport and other media?
Would all of the qualifying for these events take place at Pontins or would you revert to the old system used on The Challenge Tour? Infact would all of the competitions need qualifying at all if some of the events were invitational events?
With the actual wording of the press release yesterday all of these proposed events are infact only proposed and no events to date have been setup, so this is more like a future business plan than a set in stone future calendar but would I be correct in saying that if the plans outlayed in the press release do not materialise in the next 12 months that the members of the WPBSA could ask for Sir Rodney Walker's resignation?
I would like to quote a paragraph form the press release;
Can you also tell us more about the “new sponsorship agreements” are all of the events for the rest of this season now have sponsorship deals attached to them?
From our records we have 7 members from World Snooker on our forums but not one has posted or replied to date. As the sports leading discussion presents on the internet we try to involve everybody form the sport in our discussions and try where possible to contact every relevant party on matters of interest but one area which is lacking on the forums is a sustained presence of World Snooker and at times this is disappointing from the point of view of the fans as they are only getting one side of the story on many topics, would it be possible for officials to take part in topics of relevance in the future so we can truly have a fully represented discussion?
Have you spoken to Barry Hearn regarding the possibility of him taking office if this is what the players want?
This is not only what the players want it is what the players and the game needs, it is quite simply the best possible opportunity for Professional Snooker, the choice is a very simple one, are you happy with the game at present and do you want change. We should cut through all the politics and look at the facts. These facts are Barry runs an exciting profitable international sports business and Sir Rodney runs World Snooker.
If Barry were to take the position if and when available at The WPBSA would this also open the door for The SPA?
Absolutely, Barry would be looking to establish very early a working relationship with the SPA and create an open policy that allows communication at the most senior level and proper consultation on an ongoing basis, I would also like to say that many players who have been active during this campaign have shown themselves as fantastic candidates for taking an established role in The SPA and for taking it forward in years to come.
In The WSA press release yesterday it was announced that the tour could eventually with the help of IMG become a 15 tournament tour within 24 months, what has been the feedback form the players about this so far?
Players are sceptical, but this is probably about the messenger and the timing. I can absolutely tell you that the process that is to be adopted in looking at this as a possibility is one that would be carried on by Barry but it is only at first stage on the drawing board and there is absolutely no tangible events or locations or sponsors in place. I personally think posting a number of 15 ranking events in this timeframe is simply not achievable, and anyone who has been involved in staging televised snooker would tell you the same especially as it is the product of an election campaign. I believe any player who had any doubts about the capability of the board should have them confirmed by this statement alone.
I spoke with Barry earlier today and we discussed his future plans for snooker and one plan was he would have 25 small tournament over weekends similar to what he does with The Premier League Snooker and this would run along-side the current ranking tournament, do you think this would appeal to the players or would they prefer the 15 ranking tournaments each season as proposed by IMG and The WPBSA?
I think it must be made clear that these tournaments Barry has mention are not inplace of any possible or potential ranking tournaments. They are something that he sees as an opportunity to get players very quickly involved in regular competition with sizable prize pots with a view stimulating the competition for all pros. This also dispells the myth of him cutting the Tour Player numbers. Everyone know something has to happen quickly, and to this end you make promises that can be kept and people can see change quickly. I have to say when I seen the plans I thought it was just brilliant and I can assure you the players will love. In addition to this ranking events can be sourced and developed to the proper level will be fed in over the proper time.
Which ever way things go in the future it does seem that the snooker calendar is getting bigger and bigger, is this now the time no matter who is in charge at The WPBSA, Walker, Hearn or somebody else to get The SPA Involved right from the start?
The calender is getting bigger but due to the lack of dialogue from the board it is also getting chaotic, this needs to be addressed very quickly and unfortunately promoters such as Brandon Parker and myself have had some very bad experiences to date with sharing advanced information with the current board. There has been promises made regarding the '15' events that they will work with promoters I can assure you I would approach them very cautiously and be reluctant to share commercial information and calendar dates with them whilst they still have control, Under Barry's model the calender would be out well in advance and a better spirit of working to get as much competitive snooker out there would be born. I have to say I kind of like that.
Paul Collier comments
Comment by John Higgins
Steve Davis Comments
Shaun Murphy Comments
Barry Pinches Comments
Ali Carter Comments
Michael Holt Comments
Hi Barry and thank you for conducting this interview with us on what I am sure will be known in years to come as a pivotal moment in the future of Snooker, there are many rumours going around at the moment mostly exaggerated and plucked out of thin air after the original article by David Hendon on his blog saying that if the role of chairman was available that you would relish the challenge of the position but only with the backing of the players.
This original statement has been turned around and passed about like Chinese whispers and if you read some of the postings on TheSnookerForum.com then you are lead to believe that you will be reducing the main tour to 32 players and scrapping the BBC for Sky, so let us set a few of these points in stone and give the public the facts form base-camp.
As you are probably aware you have got a lot of support for becoming chairman of The WPBSA from many people inside the Snooker world like Pat Mooney, Clive Everton and a large percentage of the professional players including Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve Davis, there is also a large number of the fans who are backing you, there is even a Facebook group titled “Walker out, Hearn in” which has 120 members.
So lets start with a few facts, below is your original statement;
It was not and is not my intention to run as a candidate for any office within The WPBSA.
"However, having seen first hand the opportunities presented to and currently available to professional snooker on a global basis at this time and the work being carried out by The SPA, I would just like to absolutely assure the players that in the event of a vacancy of chairman being created through this election I would be prepared to step into the role.
"I would of course only consider this with the backing of the players. If the players decide that they are happy with the way things are at present and they re-elect Sir Rodney, I would of course respect that decision and continue to do all I can to create playing opportunities through existing channels.
"I am not currently looking for and neither do I need to take this step, however I do believe there has never been a better time for expansion of the game and it would be a challenge I would relish.
To my knowledge from the time of this statement to the publication of this article you have not made any further statements expressing your plans for the game if you are to take the position and you have not conducted any other interviews on this subject, so let us start with the big question that everybody is asking at the moment;"However, having seen first hand the opportunities presented to and currently available to professional snooker on a global basis at this time and the work being carried out by The SPA, I would just like to absolutely assure the players that in the event of a vacancy of chairman being created through this election I would be prepared to step into the role.
"I would of course only consider this with the backing of the players. If the players decide that they are happy with the way things are at present and they re-elect Sir Rodney, I would of course respect that decision and continue to do all I can to create playing opportunities through existing channels.
"I am not currently looking for and neither do I need to take this step, however I do believe there has never been a better time for expansion of the game and it would be a challenge I would relish.
Do you have a structured business plan in place if you were to be elected in as Chairman of the WPBSA?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Do you have any plans regarding broadcasting changes?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
I ask Barry if these 25 weekend events if not televised would they be atleast streamed on the internet.
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Would previous ranking tournaments such as the British Open be revived in your future plans for the game together with non ranking events such as the world doubles/world team cup which John Higgins has expressed an interest in, in the past?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Do you have any plans on reducing the number of players on the professional circuit?
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
ADR147 asks “What do you bring to the game that the current board don't? other than ones hopes, ambition and vision?”
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Noel asks"Mr. Hearn... Assuming you become Chairman of the WPBSA and assuming you have what you consider to be a successful term or terms in office...
what would be the 3 things you would hope to be remembered for?"
A - LINK TO AUDIO FILE
Shortly after the interview with Barry Hearn I sent off a few questions to Elaine Eyers, company secretary of World Snooker Ltd (The Questions are below) her response was “I would refer you to the statement already released and when there are any further developments the WPBSA will notify its membership first.”
Questions for Elaine Eyers;
With the announcement yesterday of a proposed increase of the main tour to 15 events there has been many questions raised which I would like to put to you.
The first question being the point of sponsorship for these events with The Welsh Open not having a sponsor for many years and no sponsor for this years Grand Prix in Glasgow do you think the new proposed calendar will draw in the sponsors?
What percentage of these new events would be televised on the BBC, EuroSport and other media?
Would all of the qualifying for these events take place at Pontins or would you revert to the old system used on The Challenge Tour? Infact would all of the competitions need qualifying at all if some of the events were invitational events?
With the actual wording of the press release yesterday all of these proposed events are infact only proposed and no events to date have been setup, so this is more like a future business plan than a set in stone future calendar but would I be correct in saying that if the plans outlayed in the press release do not materialise in the next 12 months that the members of the WPBSA could ask for Sir Rodney Walker's resignation?
I would like to quote a paragraph form the press release;
We have brought forward today’s announcement of the proposed World Snooker Tour in response to misleading, inaccurate and downright untruthful comments about the sport which have been made in the past few months. In the last five years, the sport has progressed from an uncertain financial position with a history of turmoil, to a sport with financial stability, renewed long-term worldwide broadcast contracts and new sponsorship agreements.
Can you elaborate on the “misleading, inaccurate and downright untruthful comments about the sport which have been made in the past few months.” and to what specific comments this statement refers to? Can you also tell us more about the “new sponsorship agreements” are all of the events for the rest of this season now have sponsorship deals attached to them?
From our records we have 7 members from World Snooker on our forums but not one has posted or replied to date. As the sports leading discussion presents on the internet we try to involve everybody form the sport in our discussions and try where possible to contact every relevant party on matters of interest but one area which is lacking on the forums is a sustained presence of World Snooker and at times this is disappointing from the point of view of the fans as they are only getting one side of the story on many topics, would it be possible for officials to take part in topics of relevance in the future so we can truly have a fully represented discussion?
I then sent a few questions through to Pat Mooney
Have you spoken to Barry Hearn regarding the possibility of him taking office if this is what the players want?
This is not only what the players want it is what the players and the game needs, it is quite simply the best possible opportunity for Professional Snooker, the choice is a very simple one, are you happy with the game at present and do you want change. We should cut through all the politics and look at the facts. These facts are Barry runs an exciting profitable international sports business and Sir Rodney runs World Snooker.
If Barry were to take the position if and when available at The WPBSA would this also open the door for The SPA?
Absolutely, Barry would be looking to establish very early a working relationship with the SPA and create an open policy that allows communication at the most senior level and proper consultation on an ongoing basis, I would also like to say that many players who have been active during this campaign have shown themselves as fantastic candidates for taking an established role in The SPA and for taking it forward in years to come.
In The WSA press release yesterday it was announced that the tour could eventually with the help of IMG become a 15 tournament tour within 24 months, what has been the feedback form the players about this so far?
Players are sceptical, but this is probably about the messenger and the timing. I can absolutely tell you that the process that is to be adopted in looking at this as a possibility is one that would be carried on by Barry but it is only at first stage on the drawing board and there is absolutely no tangible events or locations or sponsors in place. I personally think posting a number of 15 ranking events in this timeframe is simply not achievable, and anyone who has been involved in staging televised snooker would tell you the same especially as it is the product of an election campaign. I believe any player who had any doubts about the capability of the board should have them confirmed by this statement alone.
I spoke with Barry earlier today and we discussed his future plans for snooker and one plan was he would have 25 small tournament over weekends similar to what he does with The Premier League Snooker and this would run along-side the current ranking tournament, do you think this would appeal to the players or would they prefer the 15 ranking tournaments each season as proposed by IMG and The WPBSA?
I think it must be made clear that these tournaments Barry has mention are not inplace of any possible or potential ranking tournaments. They are something that he sees as an opportunity to get players very quickly involved in regular competition with sizable prize pots with a view stimulating the competition for all pros. This also dispells the myth of him cutting the Tour Player numbers. Everyone know something has to happen quickly, and to this end you make promises that can be kept and people can see change quickly. I have to say when I seen the plans I thought it was just brilliant and I can assure you the players will love. In addition to this ranking events can be sourced and developed to the proper level will be fed in over the proper time.
Which ever way things go in the future it does seem that the snooker calendar is getting bigger and bigger, is this now the time no matter who is in charge at The WPBSA, Walker, Hearn or somebody else to get The SPA Involved right from the start?
The calender is getting bigger but due to the lack of dialogue from the board it is also getting chaotic, this needs to be addressed very quickly and unfortunately promoters such as Brandon Parker and myself have had some very bad experiences to date with sharing advanced information with the current board. There has been promises made regarding the '15' events that they will work with promoters I can assure you I would approach them very cautiously and be reluctant to share commercial information and calendar dates with them whilst they still have control, Under Barry's model the calender would be out well in advance and a better spirit of working to get as much competitive snooker out there would be born. I have to say I kind of like that.
Paul Collier comments
I have read the article at length and take many positives from the content. There are a great number of if's, buts and maybes on both sides of the discussion, but aren't there always!
I have vast experience of working both for Matchroom Sport and for World Snooker over the last 17 years. Every experience with Matchroom Sport, without fail, has been a positive, productive and pleasurable one. I wish I could say the same about World Snooker, although in fairness it wasn't all bad.
.
My concerns are for the future of the Sport and its continuing presence as a global and successful Television spectacle and I really hope whatever the outcome of the AGM vote that the Sport and its players wins.
I definitely think it is time for a change, if not in the administration, certainly in the thinking behind the running of the Sport. This game is bigger than the individuals running it and the majority of the players whose right it is to exploit it. We need to find a way of implementing and agreeing on a grass roots structure but more importantly - finally doing something, not just talking about it.
I have seen the likes of Richard Relton and Tim Howland come in to staff meetings hailed as prodigal sons and say all the things people want to hear. They then start to implement changes and soon after they have their contracts terminated or just get sacked and fill the role of the sacrificial lamb. Seemingly without due consideration their ideas then get shelved and we are back to square one. It can't happen again because as a result the Sports administration then looks farcical and existing and potential sponsors and broadcasters lose confidence. Maybe Sir. Rodney doesn't get the 100% backing he deserves from his board, maybe the damage is done and the people who can make a difference won't touch us with a barge pole? Whatever the reasons it MUST change. Snooker is going round and round in a big circle, but unlike traveling a real circle which never reaches an end, our end will come, sooner rather than later if we are not very careful.
Nobody knows whether Barry Hearn's proposed structure can or will deliver everything suggested, nobody knows if the existing administration can deliver a profitable 15 event circuit in the near future. If my future depended on the outcome, and thank God it doesn't, I know from my own personal experiences where my support would lie and its in Romford, not Bristol I'm afraid. Whoever wins, Good Luck, because you are going to need it!
I have vast experience of working both for Matchroom Sport and for World Snooker over the last 17 years. Every experience with Matchroom Sport, without fail, has been a positive, productive and pleasurable one. I wish I could say the same about World Snooker, although in fairness it wasn't all bad.
.
My concerns are for the future of the Sport and its continuing presence as a global and successful Television spectacle and I really hope whatever the outcome of the AGM vote that the Sport and its players wins.
I definitely think it is time for a change, if not in the administration, certainly in the thinking behind the running of the Sport. This game is bigger than the individuals running it and the majority of the players whose right it is to exploit it. We need to find a way of implementing and agreeing on a grass roots structure but more importantly - finally doing something, not just talking about it.
I have seen the likes of Richard Relton and Tim Howland come in to staff meetings hailed as prodigal sons and say all the things people want to hear. They then start to implement changes and soon after they have their contracts terminated or just get sacked and fill the role of the sacrificial lamb. Seemingly without due consideration their ideas then get shelved and we are back to square one. It can't happen again because as a result the Sports administration then looks farcical and existing and potential sponsors and broadcasters lose confidence. Maybe Sir. Rodney doesn't get the 100% backing he deserves from his board, maybe the damage is done and the people who can make a difference won't touch us with a barge pole? Whatever the reasons it MUST change. Snooker is going round and round in a big circle, but unlike traveling a real circle which never reaches an end, our end will come, sooner rather than later if we are not very careful.
Nobody knows whether Barry Hearn's proposed structure can or will deliver everything suggested, nobody knows if the existing administration can deliver a profitable 15 event circuit in the near future. If my future depended on the outcome, and thank God it doesn't, I know from my own personal experiences where my support would lie and its in Romford, not Bristol I'm afraid. Whoever wins, Good Luck, because you are going to need it!
Having listened now first hand to the ambitions and initial plans Barry has for the game, I and any Snooker professional has to be encouraged. This is not a wish list of maybe's its a real plan. From what I understand, he is setting immediate plans that are achievable and involves all professionals, and with 25 tour events at local level plus a players championship, 25k per event this this is an additional 625 immediately in the pot. I was speaking with Pat who managed to spend some time with Barry yesterday and he has seen the specific details and absolutely confirmed it as real and has seen the mechanics of how it will work, and this is just for starters.
I am delighted Barry has clarified the rumors that have been circulated about his plans and those that are responsible for them should be hanging there head in shame. Players who are voting should listen to this interview and simply consider this Rodnay Walker has simply quoted virtually verbatim the objectives published by the SPA as to the method of growing the tour, but as Steve said this is not their idea and at least Barry has tangible and clear plans as to how to start the ball roiling. He has my vote.
Oh and perhaps one last thing. Anyone who has attended meetings by the SPA and read the literature may find Sir Rodney's plans rather familiar. However we do realise that you cannot pluck 15 full ranking tournaments out of the air but I can see this plan being taken forward with the SPA and Barry over the next 5 years and building to even more but not with this board.
John Higgins
I am delighted Barry has clarified the rumors that have been circulated about his plans and those that are responsible for them should be hanging there head in shame. Players who are voting should listen to this interview and simply consider this Rodnay Walker has simply quoted virtually verbatim the objectives published by the SPA as to the method of growing the tour, but as Steve said this is not their idea and at least Barry has tangible and clear plans as to how to start the ball roiling. He has my vote.
Oh and perhaps one last thing. Anyone who has attended meetings by the SPA and read the literature may find Sir Rodney's plans rather familiar. However we do realise that you cannot pluck 15 full ranking tournaments out of the air but I can see this plan being taken forward with the SPA and Barry over the next 5 years and building to even more but not with this board.
John Higgins
Can I ask for your comments regarding Barry Hearys future plans for Snooker in regards to the 25 competition Pro Tour as outlined in the interview?
I'm sure that it will come as no surprise that I would like to see Barry given a chance to put the game straight. For me it's not so much about what tournament structure is in place in the short term, it's more that in my opinion Barry is the only person that could make Snooker into a long term successful operation. Time after time the game has suffered with a succession of different boards that have made no impact on the development of the game. The amount of money that has been wasted within the game is horrendous. While this type of cancer within our game is probably no different to other sports that are run by committees, it hits harder when the players within our sport are making so little prize money relative to the amount that could be available. We are currently a corner shop industry compared to some other sports so this wastage is bordering on being immoral. with prize money dropping due to less and less events it seems incredulous that the board have orchestrated an effective pay rise. Should Barry Hearn come in to the game, there would be a stop to this gravy train.
That would be the first phase in my opinion. From then on Barry will bring his enthusiasm into kick starting events again. He's done it with darts and although it would be a different challenge I think that he is the only person capable of doing it with snooker.
You spoke to The BBC yesterday regarding the players earnings and said that even players ranked in the 20's of the official rankings are thinking about getting jobs due to the lack of prize money and we know form a statement form David Gilbert a few months ago that he was thinking about quitting the game before the start of this season due to the lack of money in the game but out of the two proposed routes which one do you think would please the most players?
The IMG idea is very interesting and it is understandable that the board have jumped at the chance to announce this as their new saviour for the game, and of course for their own skins! The board themselves have been bereft of ideas during their reign. I sense that it is dawning on the membemership that they, like other boards before them are not competent enough to run the game. Barry Hearn would be. He's proven it with his own money, turning darts into a Multi Million Pound Sport. Our board and previous boards couldn't run the game efficiently with someone elses money! Should the IMG idea be a good one then I know also who I'd like to negotiate on behalf of the players. Barry Hearn would do the job. I know I'm biased. He's my friend, but I've seen him at work. I've seen him operate. He's a class negotiator.
If the circuit ended up having 15 competitions a season do you think something would have to be done about the qualifying stages for the competitions? it would be no good if you were ranked say in the 80's and having to spend over 3 months at Pontins just trying to qualify for the main events, this would cost the lower ranked players a small fortune which they have not got and would also hinder them in having a part time job to keep the cash rolling in.
The logistics of running a 15 competition season are obviously different to running one with 6 but surely every player would benefit or have the chance to benefit if there were more events. I don't think that a professional player should have a part time job. All players should be totally committed to being a pro. The problem currently is that even successful players cannot make a living. When this is the case in a sport then there is something very wrong.
Following on form the question above, would a random draw for some of these competitions be an idea, all players names in a hat and the first 32 out of the hat play in the competition?
Who cares? At the moment all talk of types of events are irrelevant. The most important thing is to get the structure of the game going in the right direction and get it managed properly. when that happens and prospective sponsors, Promoters and Countries know that they can trust the Management, then and only then will the game start its possibly road to recovery.
If Barry were to take the position of Chairman if and when it became available surely this would be good news for The Snooker Players Association wouldn't it?
Yes but more importantly I think that everyone would be singing from the same hymn sheet! The Snooker Players association has been brought about by frustration. That frustration may well evaporate under a different Chairman.
Do you think that World Snooker should get more involved in grass routes snooker or should this be left up to other organisations like CueStars and snooker clubs to do?
I think that World Snooker currently are a sinking ship that have lost sight of any real aims in Promoting the game properly and are most concerned at the moment with trying to justify their own existence. Under the current regime I think it will be a slow painful death and one of lack of imagination. If Barry Hearn becomes the Chairman then once he has steadied the ship and set it on a new course then in time the Grass roots of the game can be looked at. One of the great assets of a good General is in delegation. Barry is a great delegater. The Board on the other hand have always tried to control everything. The trouble is, in trying to control everything they have succeeded in sending the whole game into freefall.
Just a few more words, before I go :-) During the 80's Barry was viewed as an enemy of the game by the establishment. They were skeptical of his motives. It is amusing to now see a different opinion of Barry. Now the new brigade of Players see what he has done to darts and many of them would love to give him the chance to turn Snooker around. The fact that the voting next week at the AGM could be close is quite amazing. The Board have many avenues to try and procure votes. In the past they have probably been helped by political manoevering and rumourmongering as much as by what they have actually acheived in office. I think that the majority of votes cast for the board next week will be more for self interest rather than the game's future benefit.
The votes cast for Barry will be mainly cast in hope and of a vision of a new start. Should enough Players be happy with the current Board and its Chairman then that is fine. It is the players choice. It won't matter to Barry Hearn, he has just offered his help. It won't really matter to me either. I'm not going to be involved that much in the future of the Competitive game (not retiring by the way)
The future is for the young players like Judd Trump and the like. It would be lovely to see them given a chance. As I said earlier, I am totally biased towards Barry Hearn. He loves sport, He loves the challenge, He has the heart of a sportsman (even though he's crap at them all!!) He'd be the greatest boost to our game ever, and he has offered his help!!! How the players can rufuse this is totally beyond me but it's obviously a possibility. It's going to be an interesting AGM.
:-) Steve Davis
I'm sure that it will come as no surprise that I would like to see Barry given a chance to put the game straight. For me it's not so much about what tournament structure is in place in the short term, it's more that in my opinion Barry is the only person that could make Snooker into a long term successful operation. Time after time the game has suffered with a succession of different boards that have made no impact on the development of the game. The amount of money that has been wasted within the game is horrendous. While this type of cancer within our game is probably no different to other sports that are run by committees, it hits harder when the players within our sport are making so little prize money relative to the amount that could be available. We are currently a corner shop industry compared to some other sports so this wastage is bordering on being immoral. with prize money dropping due to less and less events it seems incredulous that the board have orchestrated an effective pay rise. Should Barry Hearn come in to the game, there would be a stop to this gravy train.
That would be the first phase in my opinion. From then on Barry will bring his enthusiasm into kick starting events again. He's done it with darts and although it would be a different challenge I think that he is the only person capable of doing it with snooker.
You spoke to The BBC yesterday regarding the players earnings and said that even players ranked in the 20's of the official rankings are thinking about getting jobs due to the lack of prize money and we know form a statement form David Gilbert a few months ago that he was thinking about quitting the game before the start of this season due to the lack of money in the game but out of the two proposed routes which one do you think would please the most players?
The IMG idea is very interesting and it is understandable that the board have jumped at the chance to announce this as their new saviour for the game, and of course for their own skins! The board themselves have been bereft of ideas during their reign. I sense that it is dawning on the membemership that they, like other boards before them are not competent enough to run the game. Barry Hearn would be. He's proven it with his own money, turning darts into a Multi Million Pound Sport. Our board and previous boards couldn't run the game efficiently with someone elses money! Should the IMG idea be a good one then I know also who I'd like to negotiate on behalf of the players. Barry Hearn would do the job. I know I'm biased. He's my friend, but I've seen him at work. I've seen him operate. He's a class negotiator.
If the circuit ended up having 15 competitions a season do you think something would have to be done about the qualifying stages for the competitions? it would be no good if you were ranked say in the 80's and having to spend over 3 months at Pontins just trying to qualify for the main events, this would cost the lower ranked players a small fortune which they have not got and would also hinder them in having a part time job to keep the cash rolling in.
The logistics of running a 15 competition season are obviously different to running one with 6 but surely every player would benefit or have the chance to benefit if there were more events. I don't think that a professional player should have a part time job. All players should be totally committed to being a pro. The problem currently is that even successful players cannot make a living. When this is the case in a sport then there is something very wrong.
Following on form the question above, would a random draw for some of these competitions be an idea, all players names in a hat and the first 32 out of the hat play in the competition?
Who cares? At the moment all talk of types of events are irrelevant. The most important thing is to get the structure of the game going in the right direction and get it managed properly. when that happens and prospective sponsors, Promoters and Countries know that they can trust the Management, then and only then will the game start its possibly road to recovery.
If Barry were to take the position of Chairman if and when it became available surely this would be good news for The Snooker Players Association wouldn't it?
Yes but more importantly I think that everyone would be singing from the same hymn sheet! The Snooker Players association has been brought about by frustration. That frustration may well evaporate under a different Chairman.
Do you think that World Snooker should get more involved in grass routes snooker or should this be left up to other organisations like CueStars and snooker clubs to do?
I think that World Snooker currently are a sinking ship that have lost sight of any real aims in Promoting the game properly and are most concerned at the moment with trying to justify their own existence. Under the current regime I think it will be a slow painful death and one of lack of imagination. If Barry Hearn becomes the Chairman then once he has steadied the ship and set it on a new course then in time the Grass roots of the game can be looked at. One of the great assets of a good General is in delegation. Barry is a great delegater. The Board on the other hand have always tried to control everything. The trouble is, in trying to control everything they have succeeded in sending the whole game into freefall.
Just a few more words, before I go :-) During the 80's Barry was viewed as an enemy of the game by the establishment. They were skeptical of his motives. It is amusing to now see a different opinion of Barry. Now the new brigade of Players see what he has done to darts and many of them would love to give him the chance to turn Snooker around. The fact that the voting next week at the AGM could be close is quite amazing. The Board have many avenues to try and procure votes. In the past they have probably been helped by political manoevering and rumourmongering as much as by what they have actually acheived in office. I think that the majority of votes cast for the board next week will be more for self interest rather than the game's future benefit.
The votes cast for Barry will be mainly cast in hope and of a vision of a new start. Should enough Players be happy with the current Board and its Chairman then that is fine. It is the players choice. It won't matter to Barry Hearn, he has just offered his help. It won't really matter to me either. I'm not going to be involved that much in the future of the Competitive game (not retiring by the way)
The future is for the young players like Judd Trump and the like. It would be lovely to see them given a chance. As I said earlier, I am totally biased towards Barry Hearn. He loves sport, He loves the challenge, He has the heart of a sportsman (even though he's crap at them all!!) He'd be the greatest boost to our game ever, and he has offered his help!!! How the players can rufuse this is totally beyond me but it's obviously a possibility. It's going to be an interesting AGM.
:-) Steve Davis
Kevin - What do you think about his plans for the pro tour?
Shaun - I think as he said repeatedly in that interview that he is unable to make any firm plans until he gets into the building and has a look at how the ground lies, but I think people have to understand that this is all hypothetical at the moment and I am very excited at the prospect of Barry becoming chairman of The WPBSA but it has not happened yet, if and when it happens we will see. We have seen what he is capable of here with the Premier League Snooker and seen what he is capable of with the Darts, the boxing he has been apart of and anything else he touches he is very, very good at. Given the choice between the current board and or a Barry Hearn lead board I would choose Barry Hearn, I think the current board in there with Sir Rodney leading it have done a good job, they came into the game when we were in massive turmoil, the game was on its knees and they have managed us through that period to the point where we have got money in the bank and yeah we may only have 6 tournaments but they are a solid 6 tournaments, we got good relationships with our broadcasters and we are in a decent position, it is not the position that everybody wants but is much better that the game going down the pan and us all being down the job center, so I actually think they should be applauded for what they have done, I just think it is time now for them to hand the rains over to someone who is a specialist in this area and lets see what Barry can do.
Shaun - I think as he said repeatedly in that interview that he is unable to make any firm plans until he gets into the building and has a look at how the ground lies, but I think people have to understand that this is all hypothetical at the moment and I am very excited at the prospect of Barry becoming chairman of The WPBSA but it has not happened yet, if and when it happens we will see. We have seen what he is capable of here with the Premier League Snooker and seen what he is capable of with the Darts, the boxing he has been apart of and anything else he touches he is very, very good at. Given the choice between the current board and or a Barry Hearn lead board I would choose Barry Hearn, I think the current board in there with Sir Rodney leading it have done a good job, they came into the game when we were in massive turmoil, the game was on its knees and they have managed us through that period to the point where we have got money in the bank and yeah we may only have 6 tournaments but they are a solid 6 tournaments, we got good relationships with our broadcasters and we are in a decent position, it is not the position that everybody wants but is much better that the game going down the pan and us all being down the job center, so I actually think they should be applauded for what they have done, I just think it is time now for them to hand the rains over to someone who is a specialist in this area and lets see what Barry can do.
As a member of the players forum for the last 6 years and a Pro Player for over 20 years I feel compelled to write my opinion on the proposal of Barry Hearn becoming Chairman of World Snooker.
I believe if he were to come on board it would be the best thing that could possibly happen to Snooker. When I heard just over a week ago that he had thrown his hat into the ring I was delighted.
Although I do not know Barry personally It’s plain to see he has an immensely successful record in promoting and running many different sports events , snooker included.
I also feel that having been involved with the player’s forum for the last 6 years that the current regime and the way the game is run needs radical change and that most of the time the players are not listened to and are just being paid lip service . I feel their refusal to sit down with the SPA backs this up to a large extent. I would like to go into more detail about forum issues but have to sign a confidentiality agreement so cannot do so L. I know that I am not the only member of the forum who also feels this way.
I must add that I was very surprised to hear of the new 15 tournament tour involving IMG as this had never been mentioned at previous players forums. Although as has been mentioned before this seems to be IMGs idea and I see no reason why this would not be feasible with Barry Hearn at the helm.
I also believe the SPA will give all the players more of a say in how things work in Snooker , although having said this I believe that Barry Hearn is perfectly capable of running our game successfully without too much help from the players !
I and many fellow snooker pros feel that in the past voting at AGM meetings was largely a waste of time , and past voting numbers have proved this. There has been a feeling of apathy and to a large extent helplessness as there has been no alternative to the current regime for running our game.
This time is different and I believe it is crucial to the future of Snooker that a new regime comes in and injects some vigour and enthusiasm into our game that currently has only 6 events on its calendar . I think Snooker is very lucky that Barry Hearn , a proven winner when it comes to business and with a genuine love for the game of has stepped up to the plate.
I’m sure you can gather that I will be voting no for the current board at the upcoming AGM.
I genuinely believe this is a massive opportunity for our game and if we let this offer pass us by the game could remain in the doldrums for years to come.
Barry Pinches.
I believe if he were to come on board it would be the best thing that could possibly happen to Snooker. When I heard just over a week ago that he had thrown his hat into the ring I was delighted.
Although I do not know Barry personally It’s plain to see he has an immensely successful record in promoting and running many different sports events , snooker included.
I also feel that having been involved with the player’s forum for the last 6 years that the current regime and the way the game is run needs radical change and that most of the time the players are not listened to and are just being paid lip service . I feel their refusal to sit down with the SPA backs this up to a large extent. I would like to go into more detail about forum issues but have to sign a confidentiality agreement so cannot do so L. I know that I am not the only member of the forum who also feels this way.
I must add that I was very surprised to hear of the new 15 tournament tour involving IMG as this had never been mentioned at previous players forums. Although as has been mentioned before this seems to be IMGs idea and I see no reason why this would not be feasible with Barry Hearn at the helm.
I also believe the SPA will give all the players more of a say in how things work in Snooker , although having said this I believe that Barry Hearn is perfectly capable of running our game successfully without too much help from the players !
I and many fellow snooker pros feel that in the past voting at AGM meetings was largely a waste of time , and past voting numbers have proved this. There has been a feeling of apathy and to a large extent helplessness as there has been no alternative to the current regime for running our game.
This time is different and I believe it is crucial to the future of Snooker that a new regime comes in and injects some vigour and enthusiasm into our game that currently has only 6 events on its calendar . I think Snooker is very lucky that Barry Hearn , a proven winner when it comes to business and with a genuine love for the game of has stepped up to the plate.
I’m sure you can gather that I will be voting no for the current board at the upcoming AGM.
I genuinely believe this is a massive opportunity for our game and if we let this offer pass us by the game could remain in the doldrums for years to come.
Barry Pinches.
yes i will be voting rod off, get hearn on there the game needs a shake up.
Q- At present it seems that snooker could go down two paths, the first with upto 15 events per year this would mean 15 weeks of Qualifying and 15 weeks at competitions for many players and the other path is 6 to 8 events like present with 25 additional events every other weekend with prize money of around £25K for each comp, which one woudl you like to travel down?
A- Theres pro's and con's for both. But without seeing all the details for both I could not make a definite decision. All I can say is I'm a professional snooker player who wants to play snooker as much as possible, in the hope of earning a good living. I would probably go with the tour which gave more opportunity to earn more money.
A- Theres pro's and con's for both. But without seeing all the details for both I could not make a definite decision. All I can say is I'm a professional snooker player who wants to play snooker as much as possible, in the hope of earning a good living. I would probably go with the tour which gave more opportunity to earn more money.
:snooker:
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