Latest news with #WST
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
John Higgins in the frame as Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager makes bold 'Class of 92' prediction
The iconic trio of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams and John Higgins, along with players inside the world's top 64, can now play in certain events on a rival tour Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager believes at least one member of snooker's iconic 'Class of 92' will feature in the 2026 World Seniors Championship at the Crucible following a relaxation of eligibility rules. The illustrious trio of O'Sullivan, Mark Williams and Scottish legend John Higgins, along with players ranked within the world's top 64, were formerly prohibited from participating in World Seniors Snooker (WSS) tournaments due to an accord with the World Snooker Tour (WST). Jason Francis, who as well as managing the Rocket is chairman of WSS, had been campaigning for the WST to allow all players aged 45 and above to compete in their events. When negotiations failed to yield a satisfactory agreement, WSS terminated its agreement with WST after May's World Seniors Championship in Sheffield. Now, any competitor who meets the age criteria, regardless of their ranking status, is permitted to participate in WSS tournaments, provided they don't conflict with WST events. The development has conjecture about whether O'Sullivan, 49, Williams, 50, and Higgins, 50, who collectively hold 14 world titles, might compete in two separate World Championships at the Crucible next spring. The participation of any 'Class of 92' member would represent a significant coup for WSS. Francis told the Mirror:"They're available to me right now. If the commercial terms are right, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins can all play World Seniors Snooker UK broadcast events. "A lot of players have expressed an interest in supporting the World Seniors and would like the chance to play in what they like. I would be staggered this season if you didn't see at least one of the Class of 92 in World Seniors events, maybe more." Regarding seven-time world champion O'Sullivan's potential involvement, Francis added: "The interest will be, 'Will Ronnie O'Sullivan play at the Crucible at the World Seniors Championship?' I don't know at this point but he can, that's the point." Matthew Stevens, a former UK Championship runner-up and currently ranked 52nd in the world, has already seized the opportunity presented by the lifting of restrictions. The 47-year-old will be part of the field at the British Seniors Open in Derby, which will be broadcast on Channel 5 between Boxing Day and December 28. Francis said: "While the headline will always be that (the Class of 92), let's look at the other players who now become eligible for another earning opportunity. "People like Matthew Stevens are looking at this rule change and thinking, 'Hang on a second, I get the chance to play at the Crucible again.' If we get the bigger names in, we should get prize money up, then these things start snowballing. "Now that we've broken away from that restrictive contract, we're able to compete, albeit we have an age group in the seniors. We're not in a position where we can broadcast Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong yet. But there are no (other) restrictions as long as we put our events on when World Snooker don't have an event on." Earlier this year, NST Worldwide, of which Francis is a director, launched a £10.2m lawsuit in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against WST and snooker's governing body, the WPBSA. NST claims that "unlawful and anti-competitive practices" have been used to prevent snooker players "playing in tournaments, events, or matches organised by competitor promoters." Victory for NST would potentially lift playing restrictions further. WST, which is owned by Barry Hearn's Matchroom operation, has said it "rejects" and "will defend" the claims against it.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager makes bold 'Class of 92' claim with snooker restrictions lifted
Snooker legends Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams could play in two Crucible World Championships next year following the lifting of restrictions Jason Francis expects at least one of the snooker's 'Class of 92' to grace the next World Seniors Championship at the Crucible after the easing of player restrictions. The iconic trio of Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is managed by Francis, Mark Williams and John Higgins, along with players inside the world 's top 64, were previously barred from competing in World Seniors Snooker (WSS) events due to an agreement with the World Snooker Tour (WST). WSS, of which Francis is chairman, had been lobbying the WST to allow all players over the age of 45 to be eligible for their events. A compromise could not be reached, leading to WSS breaking off the arrangement with WST following May's World Seniors Championship in Sheffield. Now, any player who meets the age criteria, regardless of their ranking, can play in WSS tournaments provided they don't clash with WST events. That has naturally led to speculation over whether O'Sullivan, 49, Williams, 50, and Higgins, 50, who boast 14 world titles between them, will play in two different World Championships at the Crucible next spring. The presence of any member of the 'Class of 92' would be a major boost to WSS. Francis said: 'They're available to me right now. If the commercial terms are right, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins can all play World Seniors Snooker UK broadcast events.' Francis added: 'A lot of players have expressed an interest in supporting the World Seniors and would like the chance to play in what they like. I would be staggered this season if you didn't see at least one of the Class of 92 in World Seniors events, maybe more.' On whether his client, seven-time world champion O'Sullivan, will be involved, Francis said: 'The interest will be, 'Will Ronnie O'Sullivan play at the Crucible at the World Seniors Championship?' I don't know at this point but he can, that's the point.' One top-64 player who has already taken advantage of the lifting of restrictions is former World Championship runner-up Matthew Stevens, 47, who will be part of the field at the British Seniors Open in Derby, which will be broadcast on Channel 5 over Christmas. Francis says there has been great interest from players like Stevens, currently ranked 52nd in the world. He said: 'While the headline will always be that (the Class of 92), let's look at the other players who now become eligible for another earning opportunity. 'People like Matthew Stevens are looking at this rule change and thinking, 'Hang on a second, I get the chance to play at the Crucible again.' If we get the bigger names in, we should get prize money up, then these things start snowballing. 'Now that we've broken away from that restrictive contract, we're able to compete, albeit we have an age group in the seniors. We're not in a position where we can broadcast Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong yet. But there are no (other) restrictions as long as we put our events on when World Snooker don't have an event on.' Earlier this year, NST Worldwide, of which Francis is a director, launched a £10.2m lawsuit in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against WST and snooker's governing body, WPBSA. NST claims that 'unlawful and anti-competitive practices' have been used to prevent snooker players 'playing in tournaments, events, or matches organised by competitor promoters.' Victory for NST would potentially lift playing restrictions further. WST, which is owned by Barry Hearn's Matchroom company, has said it 'rejects' and 'will defend' the claims against it.
Metro
4 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
2025 Shanghai Masters Snooker schedule, how to watch, prize money and odds
The Shanghai Masters gets underway on Monday at the Luwan Gymnasium, with the world's best snooker players battling it out for the prestigious title. The top 16 in the world make it into the Shanghai Masters and they are joined by the four highest ranked Chinese players outside that elite group, plus four local wildcards. Judd Trump lifted the trophy last season, beating Shaun Murphy in the final and the world number one will be looking to claim back-to-back titles. Ronnie O'Sullivan had made the event his own before Trump's victory last year, winning four editions of the Shanghai Masters on the spin. There is no shortage of contenders for the silverware, including new world champion Zhao Xintong, who will be playing for the first time since his Crucible triumph. The likes of Kyren Wilson, Mark Selby, John Higgins and Ding Junhui have all tasted success in Shanghai before and would love to replicate that on Sunday. One change to the draw since it was made saw Ali Carter replace Mark Allen as the Northern Irishman withdrew due to personal reasons. The tournament runs from July 28 – August 3. Monday July 28 (UK times) Round One02.30: Si Jiahui vs Wang Xinbo02.30: Barry Hawkins vs Wu Yize07.00: Zhang Anda vs Yuan Sijun07.00: Chris Wakelin vs Zhou Jinhao12.30: Neil Robertson vs Pang Junxu 12.30: Shaun Murphy vs Han Fuyuan Tuesday July 29 02.30: Xiao Guodong vs Lei Peifan 02.30: Ali Carter vs Qiu Lei Round Two07.00: Mark Selby vs Murphy/Han07.00: Kyren Wilson vs Si/Wang12.30: Judd Trump vs Robertson/Pang 12.30: Ding Junhui vs Zhang/Yuan Wednesday July 3007.00: John Higgins vs Xiao/Lei07.00: Mark Williams vs Carter/Qiu12.30: Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Hawkins/Wu 12.30: Zhao Xintong vs Wakelin/Zhou The tournament is being shown on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK. Winner £210,000Runner-up £105,000Semi-finals £70,000Quarter-finals £35,000Last 16 £17,500Last 24 £10,000 High break £10,000 Judd Trump 16/5Zhao Xintong 9/2Kyren Wilson 6/1Ronnie O'Sullivan 6/1Mark Selby 8/1John Higgins 10/1Ding Junhui 11/1Mark Williams 12/1Neil Robertson 14/1Shaun Murphy 16/1Ali Carter 22/1Si Jiahui 25/1Xiao Guodong 25/1Chris Wakelin 25/1Barry Hawkins 25/1Zhang Anda 40/1Wu Yize 40/1Yuan Sijun 50/1Pang Junxu 125/1Lei Peifan 125/1Zhou Jinhao 500/1Qiu Lei 500/1 Wang Xinbo500/1 Odds courtesy of Betfair 'I started off firing against Mark Williams and I got better as the tournament went on,' the defending champion told WST. 'It was probably one of the best performances I've ever produced in a whole event. Nobody really got close to me that week. 'It sets you up for the whole season. When you get off to a quick start it puts you in a good position. I then won in Saudi straight away after. You are so relaxed after getting the first win. This is important for everyone. It is the first event that all of the top players enter. You don't know what to expect as you aren't match sharp. But it is important to put the work in so you come out strongly.' Non-ranking event 2024 Judd Trump2023 Ronnie O'Sullivan2019 Ronnie O'Sullivan 2018 Ronnie O'Sullivan Ranking event 2017 Ronnie O'Sullivan2016 Ding Junhui2015 Kyren Wilson2014 Stuart Bingham2013 Ding Junhui2012 John Higgins2011 Mark Selby2010 Ali Carter2009 Ronnie O'Sullivan2008 Ricky Walden 2007 Dominic Dale MORE: Championship League Snooker: 10 things we learned from a month at the Mattioli MORE: Resurgent Stephen Maguire tinkers his way to first title in five years MORE: Stephen Hendry challenges snooker star to bounce back from 'disappointing' season
Bloomberg
24-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Stock Movers: West Pharma, Chipotle, Southwest
On this edition of Stock Movers: - West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) shares advanced as much as 28%, a record one-day climb, after the maker of packaging components for the drug industry boosted its adjusted profit and net sales outlook for the full year. - Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) shares plunged after cutting its annual outlook for the second time this year, suggesting that honey chicken and burrito giveaways haven't been enough to offset a traffic slump that the company attributed to economic anxiety. Sales at established restaurants are now expected to be about flat for the full year, the company said Wednesday. It previously forecast the metric would expand by a low-single digit. The shares tumbled as much as 14% in New York, their biggest intraday drop since March 2020. The stock was down 12% this year through Wednesday's close, among the worst performers in US restaurants. Chipotle had already cut its annual guidance earlier this year after economic uncertainty, among other factors, dinged results. - Southwest Airlines (LUV) shares fell after the carrier said it expects economic turmoil to wipe out as much as $1 billion of its annual pre-tax profit this year and offered shareholders a much-reduced outlook for the balance of 2025. Earnings before interest and taxes for the year will be $600 million to $800 million, Southwest said in a statement on Wednesday that also included second-quarter results that fell short of analyst expectations. The carrier originally expected $1.7 billion in pre-tax profit at the start of the year. Southwest is one of a few companies so far to put a price on the fallout from President Donald Trump's efforts to reset global trade, inflation and economic uncertainty that caused travel demand to collapse early this year. Most carriers pulled financial guidance in April, saying it was impossible to forecast demand.
Metro
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Stephen Hendry challenges snooker star to bounce back from disappointing season
Stephen Hendry feels Mark Allen needs a good season after a disappointing campaign last time round, challenging the Pistol to get back to his trophy-winning best. The Northern Irishman did not have a disastrous season by any means, winning the non-ranking Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in December, but it was not his best and he admitted being frustrated with his game in the second half of the campaign. It got to the stage in March that his confidence was so low that he said he didn't want to qualify for the upcoming Players Championship, which only features the top 16 players on the one-year ranking list. The fact he did qualify for that event shows that it was not a calamitous campaign, but a first round defeat and then a second round loss at the World Championship rounded off an underwhelming campaign. The 39-year-old has 11 ranking titles to his name, five of which came in the last three years but none last season, and Hendry has called on him to rediscover the form of the recent past. 'I'd be interested to see Mark Allen this year. He had a disappointing season last year, for him,' Hendry said on WST's Snooker Club podcast. 'After the couple of seasons before becoming a serial winner, picking up a lot of silverware. 'I'm not saying he's going to struggle or drop out of the top 16 or anything drastic like that, but I think he needs to get back and get a good season.' Steven Hallworth, professional player, commentator and pundit, feels that Allen is searching too much for the answer to his form problems and should get back to basics. 'He did a lot of tinkering with different coaches and I see him at a couple of events on the practice table doing things that didn't look like they really suited him and I think he just lost his way a little bit,' said Hallworth. 'If he can get rid of that and go back to just potting balls and playing the game that we all know he can then I think he'll be alright.' 2024 Players Championship 2023 Snooker Shoot Out 2023 World Grand Prix 2022 UK Championship 2022 Northern Ireland Open 2021 Northern Ireland Open 2018 Scottish Open 2018 International Championship 2016 Players Tour Championship Finals 2013 World Open 2012 World Open Allen actually went to Hendry for advice last season as he looked for a boost to his game and felt it had helped him after a good first round win at the Crucible over Fan Zhengyi. 'I spoke to Stephen Hendry after I lost in the Players Championship,' he explained after beating Fan in Sheffield. 'Just asked him if he had any advice. He said: 'Take yourself away for a few days and don't bog yourself down on the practice table.' 'I've never done that in my career ever. Never mid-season have I gone away, other than between Christmas and New Year. It's always been the way I've worked. 'I feel like if I'm missing a day of practice I deserve to not play well the next day. I feel guilty for taking days off. But he pushed me down the road of taking a few days off and literally overnight I booked a flight to Dubai just thought about nothing snooker-related at all for a few days. 'I came back a little bit fresher and hit the ground running on the practice table, which was good.' Allen is enjoying plenty of time off over the summer as he is yet to play a match and has pulled out of the upcoming Shanghai Masters for personal reasons. 'I would have loved to play in Shanghai but I'm not able to make it this year for family reasons,' he said. 'I'd like to apologise to the fans, our partners in Shanghai and my sponsors Liberwin and Omin as I have always enjoyed playing in this fantastic event. I'll be working hard to make sure I'm in it next season.' More Trending One player Hendry does expect to shine next season is someone who has been relentlessly consistent for years now, Judd Trump. Asked who he expects to win more tournaments than anyone else this season, the seven-time world champion quickly backed the world number one. 'I think Trump again,' he said. 'I think he's still at the peak of his career. He's a winning machine. It's very, very difficult to make a case for anyone else than Trump this year.' MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan outlines ambitious plan for after he retires from snooker MORE: Jordan Brown hit 'extreme low' and considered quitting snooker before making vital decision MORE: Chris Wakelin: A massive part of me thought I'd win the World Championship
