Pro Snooker Needs Changes

[platt]

Having read the Sunday newspapers, Snookers top players are fed up with the way the game is been run, (at last they see the future bleek).
I know this arguement is long running but unless the players are willing to agree changes can never happen.
Maybe the players should take a page out of the PDC book and follow the path those Darts players took, even the main tv channels are looking to promote them.
What do the site members think, can WSA keep running the game or should the player start looking after there own future and break away and start there own ruling body and tour and rankings ?

[archalf1471]

i think if you look deeply into it, it is a long running thing that is illustrated well in clive evertons recent book. every so often you hear disgruntled noises coming from the rank and file and these seem to go away with just as quick regularity.

a small few still earn very well from the game, but i have to say other than the love of the game what incentive is there for the talented young players coming through today when you look at the earning potential they can face?

Set aside his off table activity and i remember seeing Dominic's official earning from last season as being about 35k for a 31 ranked player. Couple this to prize money for some tournements as being less than they were in tournements 20 years ago then strong questions have to be asked surely?

Campare that to say Golf ( i realise the universal appeal of golf is greater) where a 31 ranked player is earning millions potentially and it makes sad reading

Also what other sport is there where there is only the potential to earn money through tournement play only coming about once every month on average, sometimes longer....Again a golfer can pick and choose his options from a host of tour events every week

There are of course people on here far better qualified to offer their opinion and knowledge on this topic than me, but hopefully this is a start

[Robert602]

David Hendon has put up a post in response to the article I think you're referring to - here: http://snookerscene.blogspot.com/200...in-crisis.html

(I post this not no replace discussion here but to offer up an alternative view from someone else in the know.)

And just for a bit of history, what you're proposing almost happened before - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...ts/1059298.stm

[platt]

Even the issue of logos is taking away from the player pockets. If you look a pool on Sky sports the players were 5 or more logos. I feel unless changes happen and i agree with Clive Everton on this we the public loving snooker fan will be lucky if there is 2 or more competitions on tv.

[ADR147]

unfortunately snooker has been, and still is run like a social club by a bunch of rank amateurs. it is difficult for the majority of players to make a sensible living at the game now.

[archalf1471]

completely agree with you andrew, and you were one of those i felt could contribute a good point of view

[ADR147]

I had to bite my tounge mate!

for a facts and figures point of view glance through statmans earning per year over the last 20 odd years - the earnings have been declining steadly for ages!

[platt]

unfortunately snooker has been, and still is run like a social club by a bunch of rank amateurs. it is difficult for the majority of players to make a sensible living at the game now.

Yes your right Andrew, but given the way snooker has fallen in the last 5/10 year public wise and standard of the game gone so high surely the players are asking whats wrong ?
The image been given by WSA is this is a rosey camp yet sponsers are no longer lookin at snooker to promote there wears.
Professional business people are whats needed not snooker players to run the sport yet again this old boy image of it ours and were keeping it to ourselves is now a joke.
Im sure certain professionals use this site maybe they might add their words to this.

[ADR147]

you don't rock the boat - especially when you are in it!!

[platt]

Thats true! but do the WSA control the players freedom of speech !!!!!!!!!!!

[ADR147]

after a fashion yes!!!

[wildJONESEYE]

Having read the Sunday newspapers, Snookers top players are fed up with the way the game is been run, (at last they see the future bleek).
I know this arguement is long running but unless the players are willing to agree changes can never happen.
Maybe the players should take a page out of the PDC book and follow the path those Darts players took, even the main tv channels are looking to promote them.
What do the site members think, can WSA keep running the game or should the player start looking after there own future and break away and start there own ruling body and tour and rankings ?

follow DARTS should be the last thing any one with a brain should do.....its a shambles having 2 world champions......

but there needs changes thats for sure but not from the amatarish way darts is run thank you very much.......

[platt]

follow DARTS should be the last thing any one with a brain should do.....its a shambles having 2 world champions......

but there needs changes thats for sure but not from the amatarish way darts is run thank you very much.......

Take the PDC ( Taylor and Co) that professionally run from a viewers point.
If its a toss up between there world championship and the Lakeside i would take the first.

[CueAntW147]

Not sure what everyone else thinks but there seems to be a decline in the popularity of snooker at grass roots level, even the snooker halls, many have closed and the ones that remain aren't as busy as they used to be.
Can't help thinking some of todays players don't help matters in general not sure they put the time in to promote the game, instead they seem to moan about this that and the other usually money. Fully appreciate they have to earn a living but i do believe they put more emphasis on money than maybe entertaining the public and this reflects whats happening in the game, and why its becoming less attractive for sponsors.
The fans are still there after all thats why most of us are in this forum, i think the game should be looked at through all levels from the way and by who its run through to the players & how they promote the game.
I think snooker is lacking a great promotor but also a great " memorable " player at present, look back at Barry Hearn ( not a fan of the bloke but a great promotor )and Alex Higgins and what they did for the game, the past yes but the principals surely remain the same.
Its almost come full circle i think someone needs to come in take it by the scruff of the neck, attract sponsors promote it well get it buzzing as the moaning won't help, and generate interest as i for one still love the great game and worry for its future...but i'm sure if we all play our part across the board the magic could return once more.

[hegeland]

Well after the enormous boom snooker had in the 80's it was almost inevitable there was going to be a decline. The game is growing in many parts of the world though, here in Sweden for example, and of course in China. So no need to be too pessimistic about the future.