Ssb - exclusive: Hearn bids for wpbsa chairmanship

[Looki]

I'd be willing to give Hearn a chance, he can't be any worse than Walker. And history tells us that Hearn has a ability to create successful things so he could be the right man for the job. Obviously the game is not run the way it should be at the moment and there's a lot to be done. I don't believe that Hearn's first agenda would be changing the traditional format. I don't object adding something different to the pro tour but I'm all for the traditional game and it should be retained which I believe is the case.

[Giggity1984]

If Hearn did take over, so long as his changes aren't too radical and gimmicky(Entrance music, drunk crowds etc) and totally out of snookers character, so long as he keeps it to the sport (shot clocks, knockout formats, more tournys etc) then fair play.

The second I see Hendry running out to the "Eye of the tiger" slapping peoples hands on the way to his seat, sporting a very fetching over sized shirt with a garish nickname and logo on the back and they start selling "two pinters" to the audience, I'll be switching off.

[Terry Davidson]

C'mon folks. First of all, snooker is being mis-managed by the present crew and is going down the tubes in Britain pretty quickly. How could Mr. Hearn do any worse? And how would snooker lose any more than it's losing now.

Let's face it, the present state of snooker can be laid at the player's feet in the first instance. It is their apathy that has led us to today. However, in their defence I would also add most of them were afraid to do anything as they couldn't get organized and the body they wanted to oppose also runs the disciplinary committee, etc. (Ask Clive Everton as they spent over 300K pounds in trying to get to him). Now they have the SPA and are getting organized without threat of random and unfair treatment by their own governing body.

Also, Barry Hearn might become the Chairman, which I see as a good thing, BUT Steve Davis will have a large part in this whole thing both as President of the SPA and also as a good friend of Barry's. Do you actually think Barry would go against Steve's advice on anything to do with the business of snooker and how it's presented to the fans.

We also have John Higgins and Pat Mooney involved in this. They seem to be the ONLY ones working very hard to popularise snooker in places like Russia, Poland and other smaller markets, like Canada even. From what I can tell the World Series has been a success overall with a few glitches here and there (like the last one) but overall it's been a good thing.

Another thing, if someone doesn't take the bull by the horns in Britain with snooker, it will surely move to China as that will be where most of the professionals will be and for sure that's where the money will be and players will ALWAYS follow the money.

So I say to those people posting negative comments regarding Hearn (perhaps) taking over the WPBSA, 'get your heads out of your a#$%s' or 'wake up and smell the coffee'. SOMEONE IN BRITAIN HAS TO DO SOMETHING, and soon too!

Terry

[footygirl]

By the way - where & when is the meeting ? Just been on World Snooker site and no mention of it!

It is the 2nd December which is two weeks on Wednesday

[the montrealer]

Hi Snooker Fans around the World. I would think that Barry Hearn would be good for Snooker. Its time for a change you can see it now with less ranking tournaments also with Steve Davis behind him and he would change a lot of things if not China would take over and this would be bad for snooker in the Uk.

[wildJONESEYE]

Hi Snooker Fans around the World. I would think that Barry Hearn would be good for Snooker. Its time for a change you can see it now with less ranking tournaments also with Steve Davis behind him and he would change a lot of things if not China would take over and this would be bad for snooker in the Uk.

i think another point thats been missed Barry Hearn would rather less ranking tournaments and more invitational events where he could showcase the best players like the PL.

[Templeton Peck]

I would have no problem whatsoever with Barry Hearn having a greater involvement in the running of snooker, but my concern is that implictly implies greater involvement of the SPA. Is the SPA supposed to be a union or not? What exactly has the SPA done? Has it extended UK TV coverage? Has it brought new sponsorship into the game? Has it staged tournaments that all pros can participate in? At least Hearn is standing on his track record but SPA just brings promises to the table, nothing concrete.

[Migtsf]

My major concern about Hearn becoming chairman is that the coverage of ranking tournaments by Eurosport may suffer a big dent.

It's obvious to me that he will favour his current broadcaster partners, like SKY, and that means tournaments being taken from Eurosport and put on SKY or other UK network that we on mainland Europe have no access to.

[Monique]

My major concern about Hearn becoming chairman is that the coverage of ranking tournaments by Eurosport may suffer a big dent.

It's obvious to me that he will favour his current broadcaster partners, like SKY, and that means tournaments being taken from Eurosport and put on SKY or other UK network that we on mainland Europe have no access to.

Hearn is a promotor and a clever one. He's looking for commercial opportunities. Axing Eurosport would mean cutting opportunities in Europe. I would be very surprised if he did that.

[Migtsf]

I didn't say he would axe all the snooker from Europort, but I have a very strong conviction he will take a few minor events and possibly one of the majors and give it to other broadcasters.

He won't forget the European viewers though, or the "commercial opportunities" as he refers to us.

He will most likely provide live streaming for those events he will take from Eurosport, like the way he does with the PL or the way 110sport does with the qualifiers.

Either way, Eurosport viewers will be in a worth position than they are right now.

[jamesa54321]

[QUOTE=Terry Davidson;433226]Also, Barry Hearn might become the Chairman, which I see as a good thing, BUT Steve Davis will have a large part in this whole thing both as President of the SPA and also as a good friend of Barry's. Do you actually think Barry would go against Steve's advice on anything to do with the business of snooker and how it's presented to the fans.

This is a great point, Steve Davis being involved should be reassuring to anyone who has concerns about the direction Hearn will take snooker.

We are deparate for change and here is a massive opportunity for Snooker to turn things around for the good.

Bring it on, I can't wait

[imy147]

Barry Hearn is a very shrewd business man. He has turned Darts into one of the most popular events to attend for fans. I'm sure he would also do a fantastic job with Snooker and if he doesn't change the good things then why not? One fear is his good relationship with BSkyB, i hope the major events stay on terrestrial TV. I'm sure he would also bring in new events and certainly spice things up like with the arrows.

[goldengirl]

Would anybody know if the BBC would have any impact on a change of management at WSA with regard to the TV rights & contracts etc.? Mind you it would probably only be the WCs effected as coverage of all other Tournaments is broadcast at silly o' clock hours anyway.

[BarryH]

Darts

I'm no expert on this, but is there any less darts coverage on the BBC than there used to be? I'm guessing not. Hearn surely appreciates that the BBC reaches a much bigger UK (and beyond) audience than Sky could ever dream of, and that is good for business.

[wildJONESEYE]

people minds are running riot here....

its not a takeover bid or ive not read nothing to that effect....Barry would mearly be a new captain on a old ship yes he will try and implement his own ideas but in a democracy majority rule and although walker gets the blame for a lot it is a joint decision on the WSA Board and nothing would change with Hearn short term ....maybee in time. months even years who knows but if hearn becomes chairman nothing much will change short term for the next 3 or 4 years.