Snooker stars in revolt over sponsorship

Published on Friday 14 April 2006 12:07

LEADING snooker players are in open revolt against their governing body on the eve of the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

A row with tournament sponsors, the online casino 888.com, which has cost some players personal sponsorship deals, has led to many boycotting the media.

The issue has further upset players already angry at a drop in prize money. Ian Doyle, chairman of management agency 110sport, said: "There will be a players' uprising. They are sick to death of the situation."

Doyle's company manages a dozen players competing at Sheffield including world No.1 Ronnie O'Sullivan, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, and two other former world champions in Mark Williams and Ken Doherty. Hendry and Williams are both set to lose 50,000-plus sponsorship deals with Betfred, and Doherty his deal with Paddy Power.

World snooker rules prevent players from sporting logos from competing companies, and 888.com has signed a deal to be associate sponsors of the Masters, Grand Prix and UK Championship as well as sponsoring the World Championship.

This follows a large reduction in prize money in a season reduced to six ranking tournaments after Embassy was forced to withdraw its backing of the sport due to the ban on tobacco advertising.

"We are talking about millions, not thousands," Doyle claimed.

The cut in tournaments has seen many players suffer surprise upsets in the early rounds, complaining of a lack of quality match practice.

"It doesn't seem to have hit home with the powers-that-be that these are the stars of the game," Doyle said.

"Every sport needs it stars and these guys are being punished mercilessly. That, to me, is an absolute scandal."

Doyle's company is contemplating legal action under European restraint of trade legislation.

Rodney Walker, chairman of World Snooker, the commercial arm of the game's governing body, said: "If they choose to go down that route, that is their prerogative. But the rules of World Snooker are absolutely crystal clear - they are only allowed to have one sponsorship patch on their waistcoats.

I am discussing the matter with 888.com and they are aware of the implications of the agreement. It is part of on-going discussions."