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Ssb - keeping up appearances
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson today issued the following statement in response to Ronnie O’Sullivan’s decision not to sign his players’ contract:
"Following yesterday’s news about Ronnie O’Sullivan, I’d like to clarify the WPBSA's position in relation to the official players' contract and end the misconception that players are being ‘forced’ into playing certain events.
“The contract is there to protect the players’ income derived from the tour, and the sport as a whole. Once players have signed the contract they are free to choose which events they wish to play in.
“The contract was sent to the players by World Snooker following an extensive consultation process with the WPBSA in which we engaged our lawyers. It is the WPBSA's duty to ensure that all of the players are treated equally and therefore it is our belief that all players should sign the same contract.
“We do not believe it would be in the interest of the membership as a whole if one player was allowed a different contract which could give that player additional appearance money.
“The World Snooker Tour is expanding rapidly and consistently on a global basis and it is set to grow further. We are looking for the support of the players as a whole in order to assist this growth.
“Ronnie O’Sullivan of course is free to sign the contract at any time during the season which would make him eligible to play in World Snooker events, but it is important to note that signing the players' contract does not in itself compel any player to enter any World Snooker tournaments.”
Ferguson seems to be suggesting that O’Sullivan wanted appearance money on top of prize money to play a full season. World Snooker sources have told me the same thing, although I'm sure there are other issues with the contract which trouble the world champion.
There was a meeting yesterday between Barry Hearn and O’Sullivan’s manager in which the contract was discussed but Hearn is adamant no player should be paid appearance money by the game’s governing body.
He is right. It would set a terrible precedent. The money is there to run the tour and pay prize money.
However, if individual sponsors and tournament organisers want to pay appearance money then they have every right.
So the Chinese snooker authorities are within their rights to offer O’Sullivan – or anyone else – additional money to play in their events.
This happens with the big names in golf and tennis. It’s one of the perks of being a top player.
One of the downsides is that you get people in your ear telling you that you’re worth more money or should be treated differently to everyone else.
I think O’Sullivan probably is worth appearance money for the amount of people he brings to the game – but not from World Snooker.
I also don’t think this dispute is entirely about money, but it would be naïve not to believe that it has been a factor.
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"Following yesterday’s news about Ronnie O’Sullivan, I’d like to clarify the WPBSA's position in relation to the official players' contract and end the misconception that players are being ‘forced’ into playing certain events.
“The contract is there to protect the players’ income derived from the tour, and the sport as a whole. Once players have signed the contract they are free to choose which events they wish to play in.
“The contract was sent to the players by World Snooker following an extensive consultation process with the WPBSA in which we engaged our lawyers. It is the WPBSA's duty to ensure that all of the players are treated equally and therefore it is our belief that all players should sign the same contract.
“We do not believe it would be in the interest of the membership as a whole if one player was allowed a different contract which could give that player additional appearance money.
“The World Snooker Tour is expanding rapidly and consistently on a global basis and it is set to grow further. We are looking for the support of the players as a whole in order to assist this growth.
“Ronnie O’Sullivan of course is free to sign the contract at any time during the season which would make him eligible to play in World Snooker events, but it is important to note that signing the players' contract does not in itself compel any player to enter any World Snooker tournaments.”
Ferguson seems to be suggesting that O’Sullivan wanted appearance money on top of prize money to play a full season. World Snooker sources have told me the same thing, although I'm sure there are other issues with the contract which trouble the world champion.
There was a meeting yesterday between Barry Hearn and O’Sullivan’s manager in which the contract was discussed but Hearn is adamant no player should be paid appearance money by the game’s governing body.
He is right. It would set a terrible precedent. The money is there to run the tour and pay prize money.
However, if individual sponsors and tournament organisers want to pay appearance money then they have every right.
So the Chinese snooker authorities are within their rights to offer O’Sullivan – or anyone else – additional money to play in their events.
This happens with the big names in golf and tennis. It’s one of the perks of being a top player.
One of the downsides is that you get people in your ear telling you that you’re worth more money or should be treated differently to everyone else.
I think O’Sullivan probably is worth appearance money for the amount of people he brings to the game – but not from World Snooker.
I also don’t think this dispute is entirely about money, but it would be naïve not to believe that it has been a factor.
More...
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