17.11.09

EXCLUSIVE: HEARN BIDS FOR WPBSA CHAIRMANSHIP

Barry Hearn, the chief executive of the PDC darts circuit and long time manager of Steve Davis, has dramatically agreed to become WPBSA chairman if the current incumbent, Sir Rodney Walker, is overthrown at next month's AGM.

Hearn has been in discussions with the newly formed Snooker Players Association, a union of players who have been attempting to meet with the WPBSA board to discuss issues of concern.

The WPBSA has so far refused to meet them.

Now Hearn, one of the big beasts of the sports promotion world, has entered the fray, agreeing to become chairman of the governing body if Walker is voted out.

Nobody is standing against him, but he can be ousted if enough players vote 'no' on the ballot paper.

A statement from Hearn said: "It was not and is not my intention to run as a candidate for any office within The WPBSA.

"However, having seen first hand the opportunities presented to and currently available to professional snooker on a global basis at this time and the work being carried out by The SPA, I would just like to absolutely assure the players that in the event of a vacancy of chairman being created through this election I would be prepared to step into the role.

"I would of course only consider this with the backing of the players. If the players decide that they are happy with the way things are at present and they re-elect Sir Rodney, I would of course respect that decision and continue to do all I can to create playing opportunities through existing channels.

"I am not currently looking for and neither do I need to take this step, however I do believe there has never been a better time for expansion of the game and it would be a challenge I would relish."


Hearn's intervention effectively makes the AGM a vote of confidence in Walker and his board.

And defeat for them will surely spell the end of the WPBSA as we currently know it.

97 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is excellent news for Snooker Dave

RichP said...

Well for snooker's sake I hope this happens. Not sure how this works with Hearn's commercial activities but anything is worth it if it puts snooker back on the map which, judging by Hearn's past record, is almost a guarantee.

Anonymous said...

Love to see mr hearn get this position,he is the man to breath new life into snooker,which is on its knees at present.6 ranking events in one season is simply not good enough.

Anonymous said...

How do you see the vote going Dave

jamie brannon said...

Is not generally apathy in the voting though and Walker just gets relected. Im not really up on this side of the game though, but it sounds promising. Hearn could get snooker on ITV and Sky again although not at the expense of the BBC coverage.

Anonymous said...

Great news for snooker fans when he is the chairman..

Greg said...

Your Pulitzer's in the post, Dave!

=)

Anonymous said...

This is the best news in years.

Any player who does not throw himself behind this is a mug, but I firmly believe enough players will get on board to make this happen.

At last - at long, long last - snooker might finally be heading in the right direction for the first time in 20 years.

Anonymous said...

If the players have one iota of common sense between them they might recognise that Hearn moving in would very likely revolutionise the game.

More events, more sponsors, more money, bigger crowds, better production.

I so wish this would happen but in my heart of hearts I can't believe the players will have the sense to do it, even with their sport now on its knees.

Undoubtedly the detractors will point at the crowds in the darts being out of hand, but think about all the sports Hearn has helped - the crowds he generates fit the sport they are coming to see, and he would put snooker back on the map.

Steve Davis has stood by Hearn for life, and he's the shrewdest operator in the game bar none. Speaks volumes.

Anonymous said...

Snooker The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared
Dear Dave
It looks again that dear ole Clive has lost the down for chairmanship.
I expect there will be cuddles and kisses all round-At First. Clive will be promised a steady TV spot to keep Snooker Scene on side; but will he Clive be allowed into "Hazels Corner"?
The 110sport men will need two votes Dave. Mr hey you

Snooker Oracle said...

Hearn is a promotional genius. He could take Snooker back to where it was and beyond.

This could be a really crucial passage in Snooker's future.

Anonymous said...

Problem is most of the players have already voted and sent in the votes already without knowing this.
And unless they turn up to change their vote then Walker will probably be back in.
Most lower ranked pro's are not going to go to the expense of traveling to the AGM despite the chance to earn more money with Hearn running things.

Anonymous said...

What would the vote need to be to oust him Dave, what sort of percentage and what do you think the chances will be.

I think you will have the top players all voting NO but all the lower ranked players saying yes so they can continue to collect (alledgedy)a thousand pound a match for losing.

finn said...

Two questions Dave that I would be interested to hear your point of view on if possible:

1. Do you think the recent spate of news coming out of the WPBSA (UK sponsor, Essentials, possible 7th tournament) is a last ditch attempt to gain support amongst the players before the AGM?

2. Do you think Barry Hearn would lead the sport down the path of Sky, therefore limiting exposure to the UK fanbase/youngsters to carry the game forward.

Whilst it is clear something needs to be done I think perhaps the Hearn route may not be best for the sport unless everyone is clear about the route he wants to take the sport before any potential takeover. Speaking as a snooker and Newcastle fan (Mike Ashley), I think people need to see cards on the table before any overhaul of the current ruling body.

What does anyone else think?

Anonymous said...

roll on the future!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Now we get to see what the players are made of. Will they take this opportunity up or just ignore it and then spend the rest of the season moaning? We shall see......I think this is make or break.

Anonymous said...

wow
great news!
i only hope he would not introduce the shot clock in every tournament.

Dave H said...

Finn:

1) No, not really. I think they are doing the best they can but the structure of the organisation needs to change.

2) I hope there's more snooker on TV, be it Sky, ITV or BBC. I hope the World Championship stays on the BBC.

Dave H said...

However, the basic flaw in this whole plan is very simple: Hearn has said he would be happy to become chairman if Walker is defeated.

But for that to happen, he would have to be co-opted onto the board...by the current board members.

Even if the players overwhelmingly want this it doesn't mean it will actually happen.

Anonymous said...

Soon we will get to understand the utter complacency and distain of the voting players of the WSA.
They are happier having someone to blame for everything and the fact that only a handful of players have money.
On that basis I expect Sir Rodney Walker to keep his place over and above Barry Hearn.

Anonymous said...

There is an old saying..........beware of the man who brandishes a huge translucent marrow.

Dave H said...

Just a point about the shot clock: that wasn't Barry's idea, it was something Sky wanted.

Anonymous said...

Dave, potentially good news maybe, but a question for everyone who has suddenly developed a sense of false hope:
Will all the players who moan and moan and moan about the administration and can't be bothered to do anything constructive to try to help the current administration to improve, or indeed assist a potential new administration actually do something here......? I doubt it very much.
Have heard things like this too often in the past. I'm amazed Barry Hearn is even interested. The Sport NEEDS to be run as a business and the majority of players won't like the changes that we all know will need to be made to make it succesful and more profitable.
There isn't a big bank account with millions of pounds to be shared out, nor will there be in the near future just by changing the Chairman and the board.
This could spell a change in the long term future of the Sport, but whether good or bad we don't know yet. Even if the people perceived to be the right ones do get to run it, will it get the necessary support if the players don't like the new ideas? from previous experience, I think we all know the answer.
As a passionate & lifelong lover and supporter of the game with much personal experience I hope everyone gets it right soon, I pray it isn't already too late.
Whoever is Chairman and whoever is on the board after the AGM, good luck!

Anonymous said...

" Dave H said...

However, the basic flaw in this whole plan is very simple: Hearn has said he would be happy to become chairman if Walker is defeated.

But for that to happen, he would have to be co-opted onto the board...by the current board members.

Even if the players overwhelmingly want this it doesn't mean it will actually happen."
_________________________________

isn't that a hindrance to the success of snooker if the current board failures has to appoint a new member ?

thats never going to happen is it.

from what i can gather the WSA has a agenda to protect their own interest and not for snookers benefit.

Anonymous said...

I have gone from being very excited when i first read this to being absolutly deflated with Dave's comment "But for that to happen, he would have to be co-opted onto the board...by the current board members".

Anonymous said...

Wonder if this topic will break the record for number of replies???

Hearn is not stupid. He knows the chances of him ever becoming chairman is so small giving the circumstances that would need to happen. There will be the rallying cry from 110sport to their players to support Walker, they will target some out of the top 16 and sign then up on short term contracts.

The players above 64 know that Hearn would probably want to cut down on the numbers of players getting money, so they will vote for Walker, as will all former World Champions.

Dave what do you know about WPBSA recently paying those from 33 to 48an additional £1000 (alledgedly) if they lose their Qualifiers. Of course there is only one way they are going to vote.

So you are left with those players in the top 32 who are independent of 110sport, voting alone, on my count, that makes 20 votes, or about 20%

Anonymous said...

Hearn will be good for getting the 6 red game more exposure. The longer format is tedious and that's why we don't get any sponsors.

Anonymous said...

I think 110 could be the key to all this.
Currently they oppose the SPA initiative and back WSA.
To get Walker out, Hearn in and the SPA proposals taken seriously, needs the 110 votes.

Anonymous said...

I don't know why everyone is getting so excited. Surely Hearn would tip the balance of snooker from sport to entertainment and thus Americanise this great game into something it's not.

Anonymous said...

If the lower ranked players vote for Walker to protect the small amounts of money they are winning at present then they are welcome to him.
There's people working in snooker clubs up and down the country on minimum wage that earn more wages than most pro's in a year.
If they are too stupid to realise this then they are welcome to calling themself pro's and carry on picking up the penny's.

Open up the game, link the PIOS to the main tour and leave everyone take their chances. The current pro's would still have their current rankings, there's no dropping off the tour there's just 200-300 qualifying for events over the same timeframe it takes to play the PIOS and Main Tour at present.
Have the Official Top 16 at the venue , joined by the 16 that qualify.

There would be no difference except in players's minds. If your world ranked 55 your still ranked 55.
Let the cream rise to the top and stop protecting the journeymen pro's.

Do it Barry, Do it!!!!

In all fairness , whats the difference between the World No.96 (Official Pro)and the fella that just dropped off?
The fella that just dropped off and is now playing PIOS is making more money! Sad Fact!

Anonymous said...

May be this will lead to the miss-rule being streamlined, no bad thing IMO.

Anonymous said...

Snooker© The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared.
Dear Dave
How are you. The players were wrong to rejected Barry Hearn and Ian Doyle when the game was brimming with Tobacco money. That doesn’t make a wrong then a right now.

Barry and Ian would have invested the vast Tobacco money probable in something new like the “Sponsorship Industry” or in property as Rex wanted to do while he was chairman. The Players bullied Rex into greater prize money instead.

Barry Hearn knows that his Chairmanship will be short lived without the complete backing of the magazine “Snooker Scene” or Barry may envisage the games own magazine as an advertising prop plus breaking into the “Snooker Accessory” business.

Snooker the Beautiful game has created with tables and balls many multi pound industries without a single THANKS. The only people making a few bob are relying on the game and Barry’s survival.
Mr hey you

PS Barry may decide to manufacture his own Accessarries? DM

kildare cueman said...

when the championship was condensed to a fortnights duration in the 70s there was despair from many of the games leading players. The short match and staple nine framer proved to be snookers maker. 35 years on, the format has become jaded and unimaginative, and appeals only to diehard fans. in order for the game to evolve, the whole system needs an overhaul. i cant think of anyone more qualified than hearn to spearhead that overhaul.

Anonymous said...

you pays your money you takes your choice.

The choice is how many players will be left on the circuit 96,64,48,32, its anybodys guess.

Anonymous said...

What's all this got to do with the miss rule????? Bizarre.....

Monique said...

Barry Hearn is, as you say Dave, one of the big beasts in the promotion world and a very successfull one. By stating that he would be interested in the WPBSA chair, he's sending a very strong signal: snooker is worth it commercially. BH would never invest in a deas duck and everyone knows that. This could well act as some wake-up bell for potential sponsors and other potential commercial/broadcasting partners.

jamie brannon said...

You have got to keep the World Champs, UK and Masters on the beeb as I think their prestige could be hit a little. Also just cause Darts does well on Sky doesnt mean snooker will. I never hear that the Premier League does that well.

Anonymous said...

Hearn has no chance,not many of the players like him.Watch and see the final vote count !!!

Anonymous said...

barry has cut the prize money on his events this year, so it seems he is not the infalable promotor that everybody thinks he is. talk is cheap.

Anonymous said...

Is there no decent alternative to Hearn or Walker?

Anonymous said...

what chance have the players got if hearn gets in,after all he has only one event and has slashed the prize fund !!!

if he cant keep the prize fund up with the premier league why do people think he would be good for world snooker ???

shaun said...

i just hope if he does get in we dont have put up with a circus act of music and shot clocks i mean come on even steve davis said it " how do you jazz snooker up ".Players such as harold,hamilton and ebdon plus a few others would fall by the wayside.There is not a lot wrong with the game we just need a few more tournements and a few more characters as a lot of todays players are just robots

Anonymous said...

world snooker has confirmed a new sponsor for the uk and essentialy as a new agency. I dont recall them announcing a possible 7th event. is this right Dave?

Anonymous said...

Ah, the blackening of Hearn's name has started. Good luck with that.

The reason the PL money has been cut is because of the parlous position snooker is in - and that's the fault of World Snooker and the way they have run it into the ground.

Unknown said...

I believe this is great news for snooker. I am willing to bet that a Barry Hearn chairmanship would see sponsors for all major events as a direct result.

Other possible results could be a return of Sky to cover ranking events which could result in the revival of events like the British Open.

Hearn also had a good relationship with the powers in Thailand who fell out with the WPBSA a few years ago so maybe we could see a return of ranking events in that country as well.

I hope the players will support this move as Rodney Walker has done precious little to improve their lot in recent years. After all the founding of the SPA is a direct result of players dissatisfaction with the curent regime.

Anonymous said...

re shaun 2.28
i think lots of players will rue the day barry gets in. its no secret if barry gets in he will reduce the tour without a second thought, he has stated many times he has no time for losers.

Anonymous said...

The facts are, the reason snooker was in Thailand and on Sky was because world snooker paid for it, lok stock and barrel, when the handouts came to an end so did Thailand and Sky.

Anonymous said...

why is stating facts considered blackening a name. blaming world snooker because barry cant get sponsors, your having a joke, even barry would'nt use that one.

Anonymous said...

For all of those who are bad mouthing Barry who would be your choice for chairman???

Anonymous said...

why is saying Barry reduced his prize fund bad mouthing him. I dont get it.

Anonymous said...

Rodney Walker has reduced all money, apart from that which the chairman gets paid.

Anonymous said...

is 3:26 bad mouthing Rodney Walker?

Janie Watkins said...

why is everyone so obsessed with the BBC? One small terrestrial broadcaster.

Snooker is supposed to be a GLOBAL sport.

I'm sitting here in India where we've got live coverage of two tables non stop all day going out on various Indian sports channels and out across Asia and China.

The BBC coverage of events like the Masters doesn't get seen by all these powerhouses of the sport.

Eurosport reaches far more potential viewers than the UK ever can.

I will qualify that by saying that the Eurosport coverage, particularly in theirs of their broadcast timings needs a massive shake up.

I can't see the BBC from where I'm sitting and apart from wanting to know what happened in Holby yesterday I haven't missed anything.

The UK is a tiny little part of the snooker planet and actually in terms of playing participation and especially media coverage of the sport is very much a minority compared to many countries around the world.

Janie live from Hyderabad said...

This news is causing a lot of interest over here in Hyderabad.
The media centre was buzzing today with the news.
Everyone has heard of Barry Hearn through snooker, pool or other sports.
The Indians don't have a clue who Sir Rodney Walker is!

Anonymous said...

No man is an island despite the fact that there is one Island named Isle of Man.
What does that tell you?

Anonymous said...

The bbc pay world snooker millions per year, almost every other broadcaster around the world charges for their air time, thats why bbc is so important. Snooker will be in a sorry state if the bbc pull the plug.

Anonymous said...

I guess the Indians don't have a clue who a lot of people are. It's an unfair comparison, Barry has been around snooker for many years. Being known in India is not a requierment to be chairman of world snooker.

Anonymous said...

What a lot of daft comments! Barry is an excellent businessman with a proven track record. If he is willing to give it a go and the players are willing to give him a chance good luck to them all.

Dana said...

join us too :-) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walker-Out-Hearn-In/200871656978

Anonymous said...

Lets name names:
Barry Hawkins, Michael Holt, Stuart Bingham, Jamie Burnett, Joe Swail, Gerard Greene, Mark Davis, Stuart Pettman, Robert Milkins, Marcus Campbell, Mike Dunn, Martin Gould, Rory McLeod, Ian McCulloch, David Gilbert, Adrian Gunnell, Andy Hicks, Rod Lawler, Peter Lines, Michael Judge, Barry Pinches, David Morris, Jimmy Michie, Paul Davies, Joe Delaney, Matthew Couch, Mark Joyce, Simon Bedford, Lee Spick, David Roe. Most of them pros for a very long time, none of them ever likely to win a ranking title. Will any of them vote against the status quo?

Anonymous said...

Turkeys voting for Christmas springs to mind.
These are the silent majority and the locals heroes of the green baize.
No O'Sullivan walk outs in York here.

kildare cueman said...

david morris has only been a pro a couple of years and will win ranking events

Anonymous said...

Janie I don't think people are obsessed so much with the BBC as obsessed with it being free to watch. That's the important thing, same as other big sporting events like the World Cup, Olympics, etc - they are never allowed to be swallowed up solely by satelite channels.

Anonymous said...

And it's wrong to say that the UK is a tiny part in the snooker world. It's the centre of it and probably always will be and there's nothing wrong with that, just as there's nothing wrong with expanding the game too.

Anonymous said...

It may all come down to the vote of Jimmy White I would say.
A helecopter may come down into the Australian jungle and out of it will not emerge Joe Bugner, or Peter Andre or Madonna or anyone bringing much welcomed food or drink supplies.
It'll be Jim McMahon holding a proxy vote for Jimmy to sign.
This will mean nothing to the bemused George Hamilton obviously.

John Welsh said...

It's about time that someone like Barry got into this position. How can one of the most popular sports on TV with the best viewing figures have such a small calendar. I feel for the players. If you look at the prize money, there was more money in the game over ten years ago.
I hope he gets his teeth into this and shows everyone else just what shoud have been with this sport a long time ago.

The sport hasn't stood still, it's gone backwards. Look at golf, tennis and all the other major sports. They have large calendars, huge sponsors and don;t messa round with the actual sport or it's rules too much.

Good luck I say.

John Welsh
ABC Snooker.co.uk

jamie brannon said...

Im sorry Janie, but to criticise the BBC'S role is silly. Their is the fact that is that you only have to pay your licence and there are no extra costs. Also the BBC is the second biggest brand in the world so it must be available in all countries perhaps not India, but many others so it would spread the snooker gospel far more than EuroSport. I really dont think people appreciate the damage it would do to snooker if the BBC didnt show it as to me it underpins the game's profile.

jamie brannon said...

The bit I find most laughable is small terrestrial broadcaster, when actually it is the most well known broadcaster in the world and that includes all the corporate American channels.

Dave H said...

The BBC is the reason there is a profesisonal circuit. Without their money the game would be skint.

You can watch the BBC snooker coverage in selected parts of Europe in addition to the UK but Eurosport's snooker coverage reaches far more homes.

jamie brannon said...

How about outside of Europe though, the BBC is surely reaching more places than EuroSport there? Also the BBC is surely available in Europe so I don't get why they are not showing the snooker coverage though. The top point you make Dave backs me up totally. I think that the written press coverage would be less if it was not for the BBC events. The darts is well liked on sky but the papers rarely write about it as they dont think enough people are watching. While with say the Crucible the papers feel they cant ignore it as 3 million or so are watching. So for me the profile would drop massively and it's not great now.

Dave H said...

You can't watch the BBC outside Europe apart from on specialist channels such as BBC World and BBC America, neither of which shows any snooker.

I wasn't backing you up. I agree broadly with Janie. Although the BBC are important relying solely on them is not the way to go at all. Putting all your eggs in one basket never is.

Better to engage with Sky and ITV which would, if nothing else, drive up the price the BBC will pay because at the moment there is no competition.

You can rest assured Barry Hearn will, through his contacts with SKy and ITV, be looking to get snooker on their channels should he become chairman.

Anonymous said...

Dave,do you think the other broadcasters have not been approached by ws,also is it true tha eurosport take the feed from BBC.

Anonymous said...

Hearn wont become chairman the players dont want him ,he was on the Board before and cocked that up !!! people forget that !!!

Dave H said...

Yes, Eurosport take the feed from the BBC for their events, as do the Chinese broadcasters

I've no idea if World Snooker have had discussions with other broadcasters but, if they have, they obviously haven't come to anything

Sky hasn't shown a WPBSA event since 2004, ITV since 2001

Anonymous said...

I think you will find that the majority of players do want him, and this will be proved by the vote.

Who in their right minds would vote for Sir Rodney Walker instead of Barry Hearn if your true and only objective was the promotion and development of Snooker.

jamie brannon said...

Yes, but the itv coverage of snooker was a joke, and Sky is not avaialble to everyone. I think it is good for them to show extra events, but not takeaway the BBC ones. Surely you cant believe it is the interests of the sport for the biggest events not being available to the largest audience. I think Janie says a lot of relevant stuff, but to call the BBC small made me think her point wasn't that well thought out. BBC World is shown in other countries, but the output differs I would imagine. I want other channels to show snooker, but not at the expense of the BBC. If you put snooker just on pay tv channels the game will get even less press coverage. Barry Hearn has done some good things, but lets not think he can sort it out for sure. The PDC may have more money but the crowds at times are laughable. Also the BBC coverage is the best anyway, but I get the feeling you won't agree, but then to be fair you do work for EuroSport!! (just a joke there i wasnt being snidey, i actually wish I could afford EuroSport has I would like to see more events.

Dave H said...

Nothing against the BBC coverage.

I think you're slightly missing the point with regards to ITV. This week ITV4 are showing live darts every night from 6-11pm. Surely that is something we would like for snooker?

Barry Hearn could make it happen.

jamie brannon said...

I will give you that Dave I'm more in a agreement than you think, it's just I suppose I have always loved BBC sport so much that I go a bit on defensive. Yes, but of course but itv 4 are doing a good job, but they were not around then when they did Champions Cup and Nations Cup. Plus with the switchover happening everyone with a TV will have ITV 4. I dont mind Sky having events, but not the big 3 thats all I ask I don't think that is controversial. Hearn seems a nice guy, but one thing that concern's me is his lack of effort in the grassroots of sport. The BDO unfairly criticise him sometimes, but not on that issue. As I don't think the grassroots of snooker are that healthy and I do play in clubs and there seems a tendency to sway for pool more and more.

Anonymous said...

Why was the itv coverage a joke Jamie, was you even born when this was on..

jamie brannon said...

Yes I was born in 1985 actually. I just remeber they rarely had any live play. One year I think they showed a final live but had to leave in the decider. Also the presentation was weak some guy called Russ Williams.

Anonymous said...

Without any exaggeration, the future of snooker hangs on this. Barry Hearn has performed a miracle in darts, and snooker can't afford not to have him as WPBSA Chairman.

Snooker will limp on without Hearn, but the glory days will never, ever, come back under Sir Rodney. If Sir Rodney is half the man I think he is he'll do the decent thing, and stand aside for the sake of the game.

Dave H said...

Jamie - you'd have enjoyed ITV coverage in the 1980s: Dickie Davies, John Pulman, Rex Williams, Mark Wildman, Ray Edmonds, Dennis Taylor.

They used to end their finals on a Sunday afternoon and as such got huge audiences.

In fact, six of the ten biggest British TV snooker audiences were for ITV events, despite the fact they never screened any of the 'big three' tournaments. Happy days.

jamie brannon said...

If by glory days you mean 18.5 million they wont come back what ever, but clearly the game could grow I hope anyway. Well Dave I'm not going to disagree as I never saw it, but I always enjoyed Ray Edmonds on the BBC it was ashame he retired. With ITV 4 now around it will be better coverage I'm sure having said that I bet they would use Peter Drury in commentary and he is the most excruiating commentator at times. I would want maybe you or Clive to be poached to lead the team alongside some insightful players like say Mark King or Tony Drago. I dont want Clive poached but he is not getting much work and he is the greatest commentator ever in snooker so we need to hear more of him. I have to say I'm puzzled by sunday afternoon finishes being so popular. Personally I prefer nightime ends as they tend to have better atmosphere, plus snoooker is a nocturnal sport to me. I think a lot of players would agree. One thing though does snooker work well on commercial tv though as frames can go on too long and ITV have more adverts now so I think they would want shot clock events. I know EuroSport have ad's but there is not huge demand for advertising slots like there is with ITV.

Anonymous said...

So Jamie your 24 but write on here as if your a veteran journalist...

jamie brannon said...

Is there anywhere Dave where you can find the list of snooker tv ratings, I dont think your lying it's just I have a weird fascination with ratings? If there is not the ITV audiences you mentioned are we talking over ten million?

Anonymous said...

Mark King was once used by BBC for commentary along ith Jimmy Michie.
They were probably about the same in standard as commentators.

Anonymous said...

Dave's spot on what he says about the itv coverage, who can remember this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgnAIsPY8hA

Anonymous said...

Snooker © The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared.
Hi Dave
Great stuff this Barry Hearn post. The “Hanger-on’s” in Bristol are laughing there thick heads off at the wonderful cheap publicity being enjoyed by SIR and young Mr Doyle. These are the only two Big Players at W/S, though big Jim is sometimes allowed a say.
If this is an advertising ploy Dave it has to come from Barry as most deep thinkers at Bristol are probable, very busy consolidating pension funds in a case there is a successful coup.
No matter what way the vote goes David, it will suit Barry, just as he expected. This is all good publicity for snooker clubs, most youngsters have computers but not all have Private Snooker Cues.
Mr hey you

Anonymous said...

Oh my lord something i thought i'd never say but i fully agree with mr hey you, good post buddy.

Unknown said...

snooker was over rated in the 80.s, lets get real, no one in their 20,s watches it, so lets take anything we can get,

Anonymous said...

Snooker needs hearn its about time he was tha boss bring it on

Anonymous said...

Carol that's a bad line "snooker was over rated in the 80.s, lets get real, no one in their 20,s watches it, so lets take anything we can get" go to greggs for a festive bake xxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Snooker © The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared
Hello Dave
Barry Hearn has definitely stuck his neck out; he promises much and still hasn’t said a word. I sincerely hope he gets the chance Dave to prove “Something” for snookers sake.
There is so many shrewd money men looking for investment, that there silence reflects caution. Without drifting far Dave: We in snooker have a few snooker millionaires still sleeping comfortable on “Bumpy Mattresses”, and sleeping soundly to boot.

Barry is getting mentioned in most of your posts Dave and if this shrewd merchant can resurrect the game he will definitely get a mention in the Bible as well.

There is a catch in it Dave. There are only Bookie Shops, Casinos or the Lottery can afford to Sponsorship or should I say to “Subsidise” a business that’s only real collateral is the BBC hand out each year.

World Snooker would probable have difficulty getting a loan from the bank. As a business they have nothing to offer and amazingly can only makes millionaires of others. Mr hey you

Anonymous said...

Carole

I take you have never seen the Eurosport or Asian TV viewing demographics, The viewing audiences on these channels in the respective countries are mid 20's early 30's and have much higher socio demographic standing than UK audence (Cat C+-B) its time we realised it is an international sport and just because no-one of 20 down the pub in your local village admits to watching it does not mean it is not watched.

This game is massive, it simply has not been captured yet.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Sir Rodney and Barry Hearn read this blog?

Anonymous said...

I don't know about them two reading this blog, but i know Rod Stewart does.

Anonymous said...

Why is there no mention of the AGM on World Snooker's website? I would have thought the fact that the Chairman and 2 of the board members are up for re-election would be a fairly relevant piece of news for them to post?? Odd -or am I missing something? As it's a members organisation -wouldn't the members look to this website to see what's coming up in terms of "important" events for them??