Ssb - jungle jimmy gets wembley wildcard

[ore]

How many floating fans would see Wenbo advertised and think "Oh I may get tickets for that." Now apply that for Jimmy.

Snooker can't gamble on Wenbo, it has to concentrate on what sells and if that means giving Jimmy the wildcard to increase interest/money then so be it. Tough luck if it isn't fair but you will have to get used to it when Hearn is involved.

Yeah wild look - Jimmy White playing in Masters is good for the long-term too: more people will come there to see him in person and more people will turn on the telly (I will... because I follow snooker for not long at all, and finally want to see Jimmy in a serious match! ), and this way they will notice others participating in the venue too. So this will result in bigger audience and more attention to snooker in general - including other at the moment less known snooker players - and more chance for these to become 'stars'. Bigger chance to attract possible sponsors' attention too.

It could be pretty timely decision to use Jimmy White while he still is an attraction (snooker and jungle wise) and can play to ok standard as well (that's arguable of course, but he did win 2 smaller events, and he's not going to get better later).

About the it's "unfair" argument - maybe it is unfair to Wenbo, but more personally unfair (he won't get match-play experience, some money. He'll get all that next year); for snooker overall that might just more beneficial...

Anyways, is there anywhere any criteria defined of who is to be granted wildcard?
I remember someone (moondan?) mentioning in earlier discussion about the same thing that initially Masters were only for top 16 players; as Alex Higgins fell out of top 16, wild card was introducted to make his participation possible.
Isn't it already enough that there are qualifiers for 1 of 2 wild cards? Cope, Wenbo, Trump or whoever else are guilty themselves for not winning it. Rory is not the youngest and not the fastest, but he won it and that's it.

Still the "best" case scenario would be if Jimmy getting the wild card is to cover up Ronnie going to Big Brother



P.s. Anyone knows the breakdown of say BBC snooker audience by age/ by something else? Maybe it's mostly 'oldies' and that's why they put that 1980s stuff in the breaks as Hegeland said? Or maybe commentators have all the decision making power in that
The only data I saw was number of millions that watched World Championship or Masters.

[jw147]

I love the decision, its a fantastic xmas present to all jimmy fans, thanks you mr hearn! bring on king, the old banger is ready to compete against all these presumably great vehicles in the top 16.

[Billy_udd]

It's all about hyping snooker ! It's sad to see empty seats at a snooker match, just watching ronnie and just some other big match/final. There's new management in town and snookers got to be snazed up, glory days are coming back & all that malarky ! Jimmy White will put bums on seats & be a talking point especially after celebrity tv fame. However the pureist snooker fan will see this as a serious cock up 4 a very talented L. wenbo who must be very disheartened with this news. Just got to wonder where snooker is heading ! Why not make them play each other in a prelim on the sunday/Monday night, live on BBC red button (lots of viewers for BBC, helping the sport) & also pretty sure it would be packed out in the crowd too, not to say China, or are we still trying to keep them in the background, so snooker doesn't leave the British coasts ! Well it is the 21st century & you only get more sponsorship money, when you get more media coverage & intrest, so good luck jimmy I ll still be routing for you still ! & Wenbo don't worry knuckle down you ll be in the top 10 at the end of the season.

[david16]

People will be cheering White when he wins his only frame against King like he's won the whole thing and King himself will perform so dreadful that he's likely to crash out very tamely the very next round.

[brendan147]

I am Jimmy White's fan

It is always good to see Jimmy back in the competition...!!! Believe it or not, up to know he is the most popular snooker icon in Asia...and no one can take that from him (even Ronnie, Hendry or Davis)...

He is probably not the best as he was before, but he is always no.1 for the majority...including me....

So...cheers to Jimmy White and all his fans....!!!!! Go Jimmy go....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CueAntW147]

Jimmy's lost some some weight in the jungle & feeling good......

He's playing well at the moment, its unfair to say he's past it.......Fred Davis got to a World Semi once at aged 60 odd ......

He will be up for this & will beat King no problem......:snooker:

In fact i could probably beat King..........so he'll be no problem for the Whirlwind of London town.........

I'd love to see him do well at Wembley........and prove all the doubters wrong.....

C'mon Jimmy !!!!!!!!

[Looki]

It's as good as w/o for King.

[mstone]

Well at least its got people talking. Likelehood is Jimmy won't win a match and we can all concentrate on the remaining players. Liang has plenty time left and more important tournaments to concentrate on. Jimmy is just trying to earn a crust I think. Shame.

youd probably enjoy him losing to

[dannyd0g]

I support this decision. Nothing against Wenbo, there is no doubt he does deserve it, and is the ideal choice, if you are basing the decision just on recent performances.

But Jimmy is a unique and extremely popular character. He will provide value just by being part of it. After all he has given the fans and the sport over many years, and for his lifetime contribution to the sport, this is a fitting token of recognition and thanks to him.

[RocketRoy1983]

My girlfriend loved JW in the jungle and we are today booking tickets to see him play because she wants to see him play - so yes circle I am paying to watch king/white.

Cant believe the discontent with this decision it makes perfect sense and if you cant see that then dont ****ing watch it!

[April madness]

here here Roy, we don't want you getting banned

good luck for Jimmy, I might pay to watch the match too, actually

[RocketRoy1983]

Ive done nothing wrong so I wont be???

It amazes me some of the comments on here of people who havent even been to a live match who have NO CLUE WHATSOEVER of what its like when Jimmy is introduced at Wembley. Well I do. No surprise these are the same morons who moan that the players are like robots with no character.

[Monique]

My girlfriend loved JW in the jungle and we are today booking tickets to see him play because she wants to see him play - so yes circle I am paying to watch king/white.

Cant believe the discontent with this decision it makes perfect sense and if you cant see that then dont ****ing watch it!

Well I'm discontent with the decision and here is why. The wildcard is supposedly to be awarded on merits, at least that's what we've been told over the last years. On merits Jimmy doesn't deserve it, at all, and as such the decision is unfair to other players who do deserve it.
Now, if the powers in charge were coming forward and explaining that other criteria have been used, that wildcards are now awarded based on poputarity, or that broadcasters or potential sponsors have been insisting for this or that reason, then it would be different.

[RocketRoy1983]

It is CLEARLY a popularity decision Monique.

Major thumbs up to the new board for doing something within a week that Sir Rodney Trotter failed to do in over 4 years....Increase the popularity of our game.

**CLAP CLAP**

[CueAntW147]

My faith is restored ....

I couldn't believe all the criticism over this decision, i thought i was the only one that supported it at one stage.....

I'm really pleased Jimmy's got this, he's a legend & one of the most popular players the games ever had.

He's always been & will continue to be great for snooker & fans alike.........regardless of rankings etc etc........

And deserves this Wildcard........