TSB - Ronnie O’Sullivan Statement

[SnookerFan]

So, if the players contract doesn't "compel any player to enter any World Snooker tournaments" (Jason Ferguson's words) then why does O'Sullivan have a problem signing it?

Because he's an idiot?

[FerruleFox]

He's being a giant emo about the new schedule, imo.

[Looki]

He's being a giant emo about the new schedule, imo.

It's not about schedule or anything, it's about appearance money as Ferguson suggested in his statement. O'Sullivan wants some extra cash for showing up. He must be totally in love with the game...

[Particle Physics]

Looki, he wants appearance money for turning up as a competitor to tournaments? If that's true, then ROS can take a running jump. He's not broke, and there are a lot of folk in this land who for no fault of their own, can't make ends meet. If he doesn't want to play all the tournaments, but then wants to make up the difference in income off the tour, fine, no problem, even if it's just opening the local Aldi or appearing in Eastenders as Phil's snooker partner (lol). Otherwise, he can shove it. Appearance money? Folk I know appear for nothing in the their snooker league, I think they call it love.

However, a grand to enter a tournament is still a joke. The flight to China is that much alone.

[Looki]

Looki, he wants appearance money for turning up as a competitor to tournaments? If that's true, then ROS can take a running jump. He's not broke, and there are a lot of folk in this land who for no fault of their own, can't make ends meet. If he doesn't want to play all the tournaments, but then wants to make up the difference in income off the tour, fine, no problem, even if it's just opening the local Aldi or appearing in Eastenders as Phil's snooker partner (lol). Otherwise, he can shove it. Appearance money? Folk I know appear for nothing in the their snooker league, I think they call it love.

However, a grand to enter a tournament is still a joke. The flight to China is that much alone.

From Ferguson's statement:

"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."

http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/New...805153,00.html

It's pretty clear that he wants additional money from entering.

[Gerry Armstrong]

It's all speculation at the moment as Ferguson's statement was more hints that facts, Ronnie has said nowt and we haven't seen the contract. But my guess is that the contract stops the player taking the opportunity of earning any appearance money from sponsors if that opportunity presents itself.

I don't think Ronnie wants money direct from WSA coffers, simply the opportunity to cash in on his status as being one of the biggest draws in Snooker but the player's contract precludes that from happening.

It's just a guess but that is my guess, and if correct I don't know why it's in the contract as if sponsors want to pay Ronnie to play in their events he should be able to take advantage of those opportunities. No matter what anyone says or tries to create, ALL tournaments are NOT equal and they never will be, and trying to use a player's contract to artificially try and create that illusion is a nonsense.

But as I said above, it's all guesswork and speculation.

[Particle Physics]

I think ROS owes us a full explanation.

[nrage]

I think ROS owes us a full explanation.

Why?

I'm not trying to be antagonistic but I find the idea that a sports/games-person owes fans anything a bit ridiculous. ROS plays snooker, if anything we owe him for the pleasure of watching him. If ROS is paid to play, then he owes whoever paid him what they paid for.. but that's only "us" if we've paid to go and watch him play (alone, or as part of a tournament), then he owes you (and the rest of the spectators) his share of what you paid for (him playing, or the tournament in general).

Back on topic, if he doesn't want to sign (for whatever reason) then he's free not to sign, but world snooker are then free to disallow his participation in their tournaments. It may be that the contract is overly restrictive to ROS and not to other players in other situations, it stands to reason that a single contract wont suit everyone.

I think it's great that world snooker want to treat everyone equally, but unfortunately that "equally" or "fairly" sometimes gets confused with treating everyone "the same".

Here's a somewhat silly example of what I mean;
.. Say you require oxygen to breathe in order to survive, say I require nitrogen. If someone wanted to treat us "the same" they might give us both oxygen.. but that would hardly be "fair" now would it, as I would clearly be disadvantaged by it whereas you would be happy - presumably.

The "fair" thing to do is give us each what we need, in "equal" amounts (based on the value of each thing, or similar).

Ideally the contracts should have a bit of leeway or at least be open enough to allow for things - like additional appearance fees or sponsorship - maybe they do, maybe ROS's complaint/problem is something else, maybe he's just taking a "stand" .. at this point all we have is misinformation and rumour so it's hard to know what the contract says, or what ROS is unhappy about.

In any case, it seems a bit pointless to go assuming anything about the situation.

My 2p

[trains]

it would be fairer if they didnt pay fees to play in tournaments how is a [player just getting started meant to pay over a grand per tournament its over 30 grand a season they pay

Good Lord is that true? If it is it's as good a reason as any to just open the sport for all with a smaller entry fee like the 2010 world open with bigger numbers to maintain the coffers.

[wildJONESEYE]

he talks about the average working man doing 50 weeks a year actually they dont they have a minimum olf about 28 days leave which is 5 and a half working weeks

and unless a player wins every event how many days off they will get ? avarage man has to still go in after a bad day at the office

[wildJONESEYE]

To be honest the season doesn't really start until around November so there's plenty of time for Ronnie to change his mind. I think there's only 1 or 2 big ranking events before the UK in December so....

I'm not worried about him coming back, but as a ROS fan I'm concerned about how good he'll be. I hope he'll still practice a fair bit as I remember a year or so ago he said he felt rusty after he lost to Mark Allen and Stuart Bingham in the first rounds of the UK and Masters.

there are 4 Main Ranking Events and 11 PTC Before the UK Championship in December

and Potentially 49,000 Ranking Points up for Grabs.

[Particle Physics]

Nrage, he owes us an explanation because he carries the title of World Champion. He represents the sport and is the chief amabassador on the playing side until someone else becomes World Champion. To mess the sport around like this, if he is indeed demanding appearance money, is wrong and ungrateful. He has a responsibility as WC to carry forward the image of the sport in a good light, not a bad one. This fracas isn't doing the sport any good. If this is down to Ferguson, ok, no problem Ronnie. Then Ferguson and Hearn need to explain themselves. In reality it's probably down to all parties, all parties being wrong; life is rarely black and white. Further, he owes his fans and supporters an explanation because they've put up with his 'tantrums' down the years, put wedge in his pocket and given him the support and confidence to carry on when ordinarily he may have quit a long time ago.

I agree about leeway in contracts, but there is no way World Snooker can pay one player appearance money, what, does he think he's bigger than the sport itself? Imagine if they did give in to his demands, the other players would be furious and discord would follow. I don't hear Tiger Woods, Federer, or Hamilton asking for appearance money, and they head up truly global sports with massive audiences. Perhaps that's why ROS thinks he can demand appearance money, because snooker is a goldfish bowl in terms of global reach, and a big fish can influence that bowl or at least he thinks he can?

[magicman]

Woods gets appearance money for every tournament he attends. Even Lee Westwood's getting £500,000 just for turning up for the Nordea Masters currently being played in Sweden. He's leading the field and will 'only' get £200,000 for winning it!

[Smiffie]

Herne = My bat, my ball.

I have never agreed with that philosophy, but it does " appear " to be the case here.
Take the bat and ball away from him if they don’t like the way he is doing it.

If (IF) I were involved and unhappy, I would speak to the players and if I could find enough of them I would have a vote. The fact that
there hasn’t been a vote ( that we know of ) means one of two things.......

(1) No one has thought about having a vote. - I don’t believe that people like Mark A and ROS haven’t discussed it.
(2) There are not enough people who want him out.

The "game" was on its RRR's before Herne got involved, so he does deserve the credit for that, but I personally think he is getting a bit too power happy, the documentary on him recently showed a man who doesn’t like to listen (IMHO) and if this is the case then he is only going to do what HE thinks is best for the game, regardless if it hurts the likes of ROS, Mark A and the new blood.

I believe the up and coming should get help from the game, pay them a small weekly wage so they can practice and enter into the competitions. ( provided they showed up for work every day that is ) make it so they dont have to pay to play, give them a " Title seekers allowance" maybe even a Grant that is repayable if the player ever got to win anything.

What would the game be like if the likes of Jimmy, Alex, Davis, Hendry, ROS, ect couldn’t get to the tournaments because they had no funds ? Give the sport back to Snooker is what I say.


When a tournament loses the likes of ROS – Mark Allen – Stephen Lee – Jimmy – Drago – Neil Roberson – Mark Williams – Rory Mc –
Michael Holt – I turn it off, and I ask on Monday – Who won it ? - With Ronnie out of it for a while I won’t be watching much snooker this year

[NorthWestJunior]

He must have had this planned. Funny how he won the World Champs as what could be a retirement with a boom, almost as if he decided he wanted to win it, and he did. Generally believe that is what he thought, I'm retiring so I may as well just win it.