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The Irish Sun
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Got to live in the real world' – Barry Hearn issues ominous warning about Crucible's World Snooker Championship future
BARRY HEARN sent an ominous warning about the future of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible. China's Zhao Xintong became Asia's first world champion on Monday. 3 Zhao Xintong was crowned World Snooker Championship winner at the Crucible Credit: Getty 3 Barry Hearn warned the tournament could move away from Sheffield after 50 years Credit: Getty He But Matchroom chief and Asked if snooker's biggest tournament will stay put, Hearn told "So much of professional sport is about money. READ MORE ON SNOOKER "And as much as we want to stay here desperately, it's got to be something that fits into the overall picture of where the game is going. "This is a huge game. "We mustn't be parochial in our attitude. "As long as everyone understands that and comes to the party in a reasonable and respectful way, I'm hopeful we can stay here. Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "We must know by the end of the year. "The clock is ticking." 'Not fit for purpose' - Barry Hearn slams Crucible with World Snooker Championship tipped to 'travel around world' The Snooker World Championship started in 1927 but has been played at the Crucible since 1977. The 50-year deal lasts until 2027. But His close business ties to Saudi Arabia could make the Middle East an option while Xintong's popularity could make China a potential destination. Further talks with Sheffield Council are expected in the coming months to try and find a solution to extend snooker's star at its "spiritual home". Hearn earlier stated: 'I want a bit more respect. We love Sheffield. We love the Crucible. 3 'In any relationship if the other side doesn't love you back, it's destined for failure. 'So, at the moment we're engaged and I'm hoping in the next few months we're going to get married again. Let's keep our fingers crossed. 'Both sides are really happy here with each other, but we can't turn away from the realities of sports life, which is centred around prize money. 'We have to do something big for the players because they deserve it. This event's going to be seen by 300-400 million people. Does it get the respect? 'This is a major event in England. But there's a huge amount of money outside of the UK to stage the World Snooker Championship." But Hearn will be keen to get the winning cheque up to match the £1million for the darts world champion. World Snooker Championship 2025 THE World Snooker Championship has concluded after a thrilling final! Follow all the reaction with SunSport's live blog of the World Snooker Championship Latest News Snooker Explained FULL results for 2025 How much prize money was won? Who were the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? What is on Zhao Xintong's bow tie?
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ronnie O'Sullivan's World Championship semi-final descends into chaos as his opponent BREAKS a pocket - leaving balls flying around the Crucible
The first semi-final of this year's Snooker World Championship descended into chaos on Thursday afternoon when one of the pockets broke in the middle of a frame. Seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was taking on Chinese rising star Zhao Xintong and had edged into a 4-3 lead heading into the final frame of the session. Zhao was at the table and moved 66-32 in front as he potted the black. However, as the black hit the pocket, it suddenly broke and two red balls went flying across the Crucible floor. The crowd saw the funny side as the bizarre moment was met with laughter, while Zhao looked a little stunned as he turned to the referee. He was told to continue, with the referee assuring him that he would fix the pocket following the conclusion of the frame. Zhao went on to wrap up the frame to draw level at 4-4 with O'Sullivan, and managed to avoid the damaged pocket for the majority of his break. However, he needed it for the final pink and black, and the crowd erupted again when he found the target and the balls crashed to the ground once more. The BBC then went back to the studio, with presenter Seema Jaswal admitting she had never seen a pocket break like that before. Pundits Shaun Murphy and John Parrott conceded it was a rare occurrence, but assured Jaswal that it would be quickly fixed ahead of tonight's action. The broken pocket incident brought to an end a session that saw O'Sullivan cut a frustrated figure as he finished all square against the player he once tipped to become the greatest ever. The Rocket, 49, spoke of having to 'rebuild' his technique ahead of the World Championship and he appeared to have technical issues in the opening exchanges with Zhao. O'Sullivan twice looked back at his right arm after missing straightforward pots, indicating a struggle to force his cue through correctly. And his highest break was just 82 in a session which ended 4-4. After relatively serene progress so far in Sheffield, O'Sullivan looks set to be given a real test by Zhao in this first-of-33 tie – which resumes on Friday morning - as he bids to reach Sunday's final and go on to claim a record eighth Crucible crown. Qualifer Zhao is also aiming to make history as the first Chinese world champion and he seemed comfortable in his maiden semi-final appearance. The 28-year-old is playing here as an amateur, having only returned from a 20-month match-fixing ban in September. Before the scandal, he won the UK Championship in 2021 and he has previously been mentored by his last-four rival O'Sullivan. Barry Hearn has held talks with Sheffield Council about keeping the snooker at the Crucible 'He could be the greatest of all time with his talent and ability,' said O'Sullivan in 2022. 'I see him as a Roger Federer with a cue in his hand.' Meanwhile, World Snooker Tour honorary president Barry Hearn held talks with Sheffield City Council on Thursday about the future of the Crucible, whose contract to host the World Championship expires in 2027. Hearn wants Sheffield to either expand the 980-capacity venue or start paying World Snooker a site fee so he can double the winner's prize money from £500,000 to £1million – otherwise he might move the tournament elsewhere. 'Show me the money, show me the way forward, and hopefully we can sign another 10-year deal at the Crucible,' said Hearn.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Barry Hearn sets Crucible future venue deadline for World Snooker Championship after talks with city council chiefs
Barry Hearn has set Sheffield City Council a deadline of the end of the year to come up with a plan to keep the World Championship at the Crucible. The iconic theatre, which seats just 980 spectators, has hosted snooker's premier tournament since 1977 but its contract expires in 2027. Hearn, the World Snooker Tour honorary president, insists his preference is to stay at the Crucible rather than moving overseas and he held positive talks with council chiefs on Thursday morning. However, Hearn says the tournament must become more profitable so he can double the winner's prize money from £500,000 to £1million – and wants Sheffield to either expand the venue or start paying World Snooker a site fee. 'As much as it sounds pretty barbaric, it all comes down to pound notes,' said Hearn. 'There's a value to Sheffield City Council for having it in Sheffield. So, show me the money, show me the way forward, and hopefully we can sign another 10-year deal at the Crucible. 'We agreed to meet in another three months with a view to knowing exactly where we are by the end of this year, so the pressure is on. 'The talks went well. I'm a little more optimistic today than I was yesterday. I was impressed with the passion and commitment that Sheffield Council have got for snooker. 'But we have to live in the real world. We can't turn away from the realities of sports life, which is centred around prize money. 'You've got to get in as much income as you can because then you can pay as much prize money as you can. 'Whether that income comes from sponsorships, whether it comes from gate income or whether it comes from site fees is irrelevant to me as long as it comes in, so I need a plan. 'The onus is on Sheffield to come up with something in line with Government, in line with our thinking of where the game stands in terms of prestige and respect. 'We love Sheffield. We love the Crucible. But in any relationship if the other side doesn't love you back, it's destined for failure. 'So, at the moment we're engaged and I'm hoping in the next few months we're going to get married again. Let's keep our fingers crossed.' Eddie Hearn, the chairman of World Snooker Tour majority owners Matchroom Sport, said last week that he would have left the Crucible five years ago, with Saudi Arabia and China among the countries interested in hosting the World Championship. Meanwhile, Hearn's son Eddie is open to moving the tournament overseas to Saudi or China But on his son's comments, Hearn Snr added: 'He's an animal! He's a great operator in the commercial sense. But he knows what snooker means to me. He knows that while I'm around, there is absolutely nothing he can do if I don't agree with it. 'There's a huge amount of money outside of the UK to stage the World Snooker Championship. And I always go for money, but the Crucible is an exception. 'So give me respect. Help me to do what I want to do and I won't be outrageous in my demands.'
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Barry Hearn gives Crucible 3 month timeline as World Snooker Championship venue threat intensifies
A small capacity and outdated facilities has led to the chief looking at alternative settings for the biggest prize in the sport It's the most iconic venue in snooker. But the Crucible's future looks set to be decided over the next three months. The Sheffield theatre has hosted the World Championship since 1977, becoming synonous with legends of the game including Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan. However it has faced criticism for tired facilities and tiny capacity of under 1,000, with Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn openly looking at alternative homes. Hearn confirmed he met with members of Sheffield City Council on the morning of May 1 visit to discuss the possibility of extending the Crucible deal. And said that he has now issued a firm deadline for action. 'There wasn't anything particularly confidential about it. It was more an exchange of views of where both sides are," he said. "And I have to say straight away, I was impressed with the passion and commitment that Sheffield Council have got for snooker. And I think they were very pleased to hear that we share that passion. 'We view the Crucible as the home of snooker, but again, we have to live in the real world. So, we had a very open meeting. We agreed to meet in another three months with a view to knowing exactly where we are by the end of this year. 'The pressure is on, it's one of those things, both sides are really happy here with each other, but we can't turn away from the realities of sports life, which is centred around prize money. And we have to do something big for the players because they deserve it. "But we're locked in a period made by ourselves really. We've been super successful. "The game is maybe taken for granted in some areas, but that's wrong because then when you do take someone for granted, you lose the relationship. Neither World Snooker nor Sheffield Council want that. 'We're both trying to move. I'm obviously prepared to stay here and be glad providing, I've got certain guarantees that give me the opportunity to reward the players. 'You always aim to make everybody happy, but sometimes you don't. I'm much more positive today, having met them to see the enthusiasm they had and their plans. One can only hope they get the necessary support from other factions that enables them to deliver a package that World Snooker would find acceptable.' He admitted that alternative locations are being looked at - including a money-spinning switch to Saudi Arabia. "There's several other venues who, who read what you guys write and say, oh, you know, if you're looking for more seats. But it's not just that. It's the atmosphere that's created, and it's the history and all those things,' Hearn told 'You sometimes say, would you like to be in Riyad for the Snooker Championships? I'm not sure the atmosphere will be great. "I'm sure they'll love it. There's three, four, 500 million people that watch it on TV, that gives it a value, which we don't value ourselves at. "But you know, you've only go to watch Friday night, the Saudis have rented Times Square and all the streets around it. I don't what it costs. Millions upon millions. And they're giving the tickets away free because they want to make a name, and they've got great fights. 'These people are going into the business world. And it's not just the Saudis, it's the Qatar as well. It's the Bahrainis. "We are hot property. Ronnie's Academy in Riyadh is doing great. Ronnie went over a couple of weeks ago, made three 147s in one night, and the kids are going mad for him. 'This is like the beginning of a whole new market and who knows where it'll lead to. The difference is they pay, and they give me the power to be able to say, let's do this with a prize winner. Let's do that. And everyone goes, great.'
Metro
01-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Barry Hearn reveals positive talks over World Championship's Crucible future
Barry Hearn has talked positively of his talks with Sheffield City Council over the Crucible's future as the venue for the World Snooker Championship, hoping for an agreement to be reached by the end of the year. The current contract to keep the tournament at the Sheffield theatre expires in 2027 and the future of the event beyond that remains unclear. Talks are ongoing between World Snooker Tour bosses and decision-makers in Sheffield, with various plans being touted. Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, has called for a bigger venue to be built in Sheffield, which does not seem especially likely, while a site fee has now been suggested as an option from local or central government to keep the World Championship where it is. While discussions have been positive and Hearn says everyone involved wants the event to remain in Sheffield, the threat remains that the World Championship could move elsewhere in 2028 if he does not get what he wants. 'It was more an exchange of views on where both sides are, which I appreciated,' Hearn said of his meeting with the council. 'I have to say I was impressed with the passion and commitment that Sheffield Council have got for snooker. 'And I think they were very pleased to hear that we share that passion. We view the Crucible as the home of snooker, but again, we have to live in the real world. 'So we had a very open meeting. We agreed to meet in another three months with a view to knowing exactly where we are by the end of this year. And the pressure is on, it's one of those things, both sides are really happy here with each other, but we can't turn away from the realities of sports life, which is centred around prize money.' Hearn insists revenue streams need to be increased in order to offer bigger prize money to the players, and he isn't especially fussed how those funds are rustled up. 'I think both of us agree that this is something where Sheffield can only go so far, but with government assistance it can go further and it can be maintained,' he said. 'So the onus is still on Sheffield to come up with something in line with government, in line with our thinking of where the game stands in terms of prestige and respect. This is a major event in England, a major event. 'Fingers crossed the government understand the significance of this event remaining in the UK and remaining in Sheffield. And we, I, the whole of World Snooker is a hundred percent committed to keep it in Sheffield. 'You've got to get in as much income as you can, pretty basic, because then you can pay as much prize money as you can. Whether that income comes from sponsorships, whether it comes from gate income or whether it comes from site fees is irrelevant to me as long as it comes in. So I need a plan. 'If it's legal, I don't care where the money comes from and I can't be more basic than that. And that's the world we live in, whether we like it or not.' The world champion this year will win £500,000, while the winner of the next World Darts Championship will land £1,000,000 for the first time. Hearn says snooker needs to move in line with that increase and wants Sheffield to help that happen. The increase in darts prize money was largely down to a lucrative new television deal with Sky Sports, while snooker's recent new contract with the BBC has not been enough to bring about such an increase. 'We have a very valuable commodity,' he said. 'Really these players should be playing for four or five times the money based on the value of that media. More Trending 'The new BBC contract is good, but it hasn't doubled, hasn't tripled, it's gone up but modestly because you are, you're governed by your background. 'I want a bit more respect. We love Sheffield, we love the Crucible. In any relationship, if the other side doesn't love back, it's destined for failure. So at the moment we were engaged and I'm hoping in the next few months we're going to get married again. Let's keep our fingers crossed. 'I think compromise is in the air on both sides. And we can do something that maintains the event here and at the same time produces much needed finance to go back to the players.' MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan speaks out on Zhao Xintong's ban, his talent and working together MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan names his favourite ahead of World Snooker Championship semi-finals MORE: Judd Trump is 'probably the best ever,' says Luca Brecel: 'There's no one better'
