6.8.12

O'SULLIVAN TO RETURN

Ronnie O’Sullivan will return to action in October after signing the World Snooker players’ contract which had been a bone of contention all summer.

O’Sullivan has not played competitively since he won a fourth world title last May, claiming the contract was ‘too onerous.’

World Snooker refused to offer any money for promotional activities and a stalemate ensured.

However, O’Sullivan’s management has tonight reported that O’Sullivan has entered the International Championship, a new ranking event in China, and the UK Championship.

I don’t have any insight into what has changed but Clive Everton got it spot on in his Snooker Scene editorial this month: O’Sullivan should abide by his professional responsibilities but at the same time World Snooker should be reasonable with the amount of things it expects him to do in the name of promotion.

The best way for any top player to promote the game is to play it. When O’Sullivan plays it a full house is guaranteed.

O’Sullivan said he wanted a rest after the Crucible and he has had one. Perhaps not playing has reminded him of how much he enjoyed snooker in the first place.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dave with respect i dont think the rest reminded o sullivan that he loved snooker.He was taken a rest anyway it was about the contract thats why he didnt sign and a compromise has been reached hence the extension on deadline.His received that now and the no retreat attitude from both sides has been amicable sorted.

Anonymous said...

So how much is he getting?

Anonymous said...

HI I am happy that Osullivan will be playing this year

Osullivan is a class player and without him Snooker would be boring.

Cheers Leonard from Canada

Anonymous said...

The most likely outcome and the best outcome!

Anonymous said...

He's been acting like a spoilt brat and I didn't care one bit whether he signed or not. Did Hearn move the goalposts? Who knows. Is O'Sullivan now having special treatment? We'll never know because both parties will hide behind the confidentiality cloak. Standards have improved in the game and there's plenty of quality players around to take the game on. If O'Sullivan doesn't like it, let him take his ball home and stay there.

wild said...

no compromised has been reached however everyone involved will go along with that story so Ronnie saves face.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous at 12.41

What compromise? There's no sign at all that World Snooker gave in to O'Sullivan. All I can see is O'Sullivan realising how he was the one losing out, and deciding to come to his senses.

Anonymous said...

Alex Higgins famously was once asked if he could live without snooker and he replied "can snnooker live without me".
All very Oscar Wilde but the fact is that snooker certainly did survive without Higgins and many a press officer wasn't punched in the ribs anymore.
In Ronnie's case the Premier League will run without him to large audiences and the sun will rise in the east whether he had signed the contract or not.
His snookering genius isn't to be denied but until he finds a cure for cancer he will only be a snooker player.
A miniscule part of a large universe where snooker doesn't mean diddly.

Anonymous said...

He should thank his lucky stars that he has had any sort of career in snooker at all after the physical assault made against Mike Ganley.He really is a truly ungrateful idiot.

Anonymous said...

Of course there is no sign of a compromise. The other players would be up in arms it there was a whiff of one. I'm with Anon 11:01 on this.

Anonymous said...

Well said Anon 1:55 PM

Anonymous said...

Well Barry Hearn must have said something to Ronnie at their meeting last night, else why have the meeting. Ronnie could have emailed the signed contract.

Anonymous said...

So your saying ROS could have emailed the signed contract. What if Barry emailed him back saying this.that and other? ROS emailed back saying ok i'll sign. This doesn't mean a meeting took place.

To me to you Barry and all that.

Geoffrey Mc Donnell said...

This is a satisfactory outcome !

Anonymous said...

yeah, well done ronnie, thats you in the spotlight again.

all me me me

its all about your ronnie, its all about you.

total farce! throw him out.

the game made him. he isnt snooker.

jamie brannon said...

Great news, and it wouldn't surprise if Hearn has made a few concessions. He knows that he needs O'Sullivan in the UK based events, but the global game doesn't rely on him so much.

He will still pull a crowd where ever, but feel that certain UK based events struggle with gates if O'Sullivan isn't present. The Welsh Open is an example.

Anonymous said...

I think he's pretty integral to the international interests too. True, China has Ding so he's not essential there, but even then his participation brings a validity to the event that isn't there otherwise.

Anonymous said...

jamie believe me Barry has made zero concessions

Anonymous said...

dont think that many chinese fans will turn up if ronnie isnt there. He is one of the most popular personalties out there. In germany the same case. I love snooker but couldnt watch the recen event with the same appetite as ronnie wasnt there. There something missing. No matter if he loses or wins he is always good for a story

Anonymous said...

well 438, i watched all the events with a smile, knowing he wasnt there.

breath of fresh air without the spotlight kid.

jamie brannon said...

I'm not saying he is paying him appearance money, but I reckon he has probably eased the promotional activities.

Anonymous said...

i hope he has eased the promotional activities

the lights are on but nobody is home springs to mind

dave wilcock said...

its not the same without Ronnie he is just world class everyone likes him I hope one day I will be able to watch him play go Ronnie