Ssb - hearn gets sponsor for welsh open

[MySockPuppet]

The Welsh Open will be sponsored by Totesport.com in the latest positive move for the sport under Barry Hearn's chairmanship of the WPBSA.

The tournament has not been sponsored since 2003 when Regal were forced out through the UK government's anti-tobacco legislation.

“This is a further boost for snooker and it proves we are definitely moving in the right direction for our sport," Hearn said.

"Having Totesport.com, one of the biggest betting brands in the World, sponsor the Welsh Open demonstrates the appeal of snooker. We’ve now got sponsors on board for four of our five UK tournaments and I’m sure that there are more to come.

"We look forward to working closely with the team at Totesport.com to make this tournament a great success.”

Trevor Beaumont, Chief Executive of Totesport said: “We are delighted to again be associated with World Snooker after a break of 5 years. As one of the premier tournaments in the calendar the totesport.com Welsh Open is a great opportunity for us to remind our audience of customers that totesport.com is relevant for them across all major sports betting events.”

Hopefully this new deal will give the Welsh Open a bit of a lift because it currently seems to be regarded as the poor relation of the world ranking circuit.

Ali Carter starts his title defence next Monday and the tournament will be broadcast on BBC Wales and Eurosport.



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[Looki]

Good going again, Barry! Another last minute sponsor. Didn't Totesport.com sponsor Grand Prix few years ago or was some other tournament?

[montoya10]

888.com
Betfred.com
Pokerstars.com
Totesport.com

Only sponsors with interest in recent years( Pukka Pies excluded ) are online casinos and betting sites...

[visionaire]

888.com
Betfred.com
Pokerstars.com
Totesport.com

Only sponsors with interest in recent years( Pukka Pies excluded ) are online casinos and betting sites...

...the problem?

[Vex 147]

yeah, i also don't get the problem in here!? You've gotta hand it to Barry cause the man is really doing his job, and in style i must say

[ja.]

...the problem?

snooker used to be associated wits cigarettes and alcohol. now that those are banned maybe it would make more sense if snooker was taken over by coca-cola and haribo.

[beechy1212]

I'm surprised Sky sports don't have ther own big tournament. Their coverage of sport is fantastic.

[RocketRoy1983]

This is great news for snooker. Well done boys!

[montoya10]

snooker used to be associated wits cigarettes and alcohol. now that those are banned maybe it would make more sense if snooker was taken over by coca-cola and haribo.

Maybe this is the real reason burying the sport in the ground alive

I'm sure coca-cola would make it more popular then a "I have never heard of this before " type website

[RocketRoy1983]

Maybe this is the real reason burying the sport in the ground alive

I'm sure coca-cola would make it more popular then a "I have never heard of this before " type website

They are a well recognised gambling brand to set the record straight and will be great sponsors im sure.

[ja.]

Maybe this is the real reason burying the sport in the ground alive

I'm sure coca-cola would make it more popular then a "I have never heard of this before " type website

I'd love to see The Irn Bru Scottish Open too..

but i've definitely heard of all those websites before.. unlike pukka pies, but it didnt prevent them from sponsoring the uk. so your point is still unclear.

[montoya10]

I'd love to see The Irn Bru Scottish Open too..

but i've definitely heard of all those websites before.. unlike pukka pies, but it didnt prevent them from sponsoring the uk. so your point is still unclear.

Maybe it's just me that I'm so isolated from betting world.. Especially since it's often banned here, just like cigarettes and drinks for young people.

So, ok, I'm giving it up, and hope they bring their best along Let my biased ideas go now

[miscuehamburg]

Great job again. Now I only hope these last minute deals will be over & there will be a solid long-term sponsorship for every event.

There is nothing wrong with betting companies as sponsors. They have the money nowadays.

I'm surprised Sky sports don't have ther own big tournament. Their coverage of sport is fantastic.

You could count the Premier League here. But it's truly funny that they are not more involved. Maybe it will change soon with Hearn in charge. Wouldn't be a bad thing since the PL is very well presented.

[hegeland]

Didn't Totesport.com sponsor Grand Prix few years ago or was some other tournament?

Yes, they sponsored the 2004 Grand Prix.

[alex_5525]

man, barry is amazing, who was the chairman before him?
barry has managed to get two great sponsors for his first two tournaments as the chairman, im certain he can make the sport much more popular, i just hope the world champs stays the same.