Barry Hearn sends clear message to snooker stars about joining LIV-style rival tour

Barry Hearn has told snooker’s top stars they can join a LIV-style rival tour at their peril.

The sport’s supremo believes in the commercial power of the World Snooker Tour (WST) which will see prize money rise to £20million for the first time next season. It is understood there is an alternative offer on the table for potters to play in a string of eight events with guaranteed money in the region of £350,000.

But it will be without world No.1 and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who has already committed his future to the professional tour after signing a three-year ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia.

WST president Hearn said: “Every individual has got to make the right choice as to what’s going to benefit himself and his family.
And if you are coming towards the end of a career, you’d be insane not to go where the best money is.

“Frankly, I know those sort of breakaway tours don’t really have a great deal of commercial value. I’ve heard figures of £2-300,000 guaranteed. Well if you’re in the top 16 next year, you’re going to be guaranteed £200,000 before you take your cue out.”

Hearn has also told Sheffield City Council to build a new Crucible Theatre or run the risk of losing the World Championship. Ronnie O'Sullivan has already called for the sport's showpiece event to be held in Asia, dividing opinion between players as complaints have been raised over the conditions this week.

Hossein Vafaei launched the most scathing attack on the venue after claiming that it 'smells really bad' and that he doesn't want to return. Despite some big names in snooker hitting back at Vafaei over his comments, Hearn has warned that if the Crucible isn't updated then the World Snooker Championship could head abroad.

"Nothing much has changed," Hearn said on Wednesday. "I am doing absolutely everything to stay in Sheffield. But it takes two to tango - I'll stay here while we are wanted. I know we are wanted by the BBC, I think we're wanted by Sheffield.

"But they've got to be realistic and we have said for the last few years we need a new venue that seats 2,500-3,000 people because I am fed up of getting letters from people all over the world asking how they can get a ticket. I'm looking to Sheffield to come to the party and if they do, we're staying. And if they don't, they're really saying to me 'We don't want you'. So it's not really my call.

"Trust me, money has the edge every time. We live in the real world, if there are deals out there that are going to change people's lives and increase profitability, there's not really a choice to make."