Barry Hearn beginning to transform snooker
Snooker finally has risen in popularity and that has all been down to one man, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association’s (WPBSA) new chairman, Barry Hearn.
At the start of the 2009/10 snooker season, the game was in its worst state for some time. There were only six ranking tournaments, not including The Masters. It was the lowest number of ranking events on the snooker calendar for 30 years, and was two less than the previous campaign. Prize money was also down, with a fall of over £400,000.
In everyone’s eyes, there was only one man to steer the ship to safety, and that was Hearn. The players were delighted to see the appointment of Hearn, as they knew he would bring in more events and more prize money.
Hearn succeeded Rodney Walker as chairman of the WPBSA in 2009 as snooker was crying out for a change at the helm. By high demand, Hearn returned to the place where it all started for him and where he made a name for himself. He was manager to Steve Davis throughout the 1980s, and formed Matchroom, which produced snooker players such as Dennis Taylor, Terry Griffiths, Willie Thorne and Jimmy White. He has also been an influence in boxing, promoting the likes of Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, and promoting the popular Prizefighter Series with soaring television viewing figures.
Additionally, Hearn is chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), and he has changed darts dramatically, making the sport more popular than ever. The PDC world championship at Alexandra Palace, London, is full of spectators, and is the place to see just how far Hearn has taken darts, and with Phil Taylor on Hearn’s side, darts is watched by million around the world.
With all of this in mind, there was no hesitation from the 61-year-old to take charge of snooker, and his vision for the future of snooker has been made clear. He wants to transform the game in a way that Twenty20 has done for cricket, to generate the interest of the younger audience and to keep the traditionalists watching.
“To use cricket as an example, the traditionalists still want their five-day Test matches, and we will do that through the world championships. But young fans have to be encouraged to watch, because they will be the traditionalists of the future.
“By creating new events and formats we can connect with a younger audience. Just look at what Twenty20 has done for cricket recently. It has totally changed the game and is selling out grounds everywhere. If snooker can come up with more variety, like best of five frames or even a one frame shoot-out, then it will help,” he said.
Snooker is moving rapidly, and the season finale at The Crucible is just the start, as there is already a 2010/11 provisional calendar in place, with more tournaments than ever before penciled in.
“There's a buzz about snooker at the moment and ticket sales have smashed records. I'm not going to miss it because this is a must-go-to event. The royalty of our sport will be there. It's the biggest stage with the biggest audience, and with the support of the players we can shock the world,” Hearn said.
Hearn’s early influence on the game was evident at The Masters in January, his first tournament, where all the players were happy to play at a buzzing and packed-out Wembley Arena. There is already a 2010/11 provisional calendar in place, with more tournaments than ever before penciled in. The likes of the European Masters in Berlin and the World Open in Glasgow will be just some of the new tournaments.
The introduction of the World Open in Glasgow was announced this week by Hearn, and it is the first ranking tournament that will be an open event, with 96 professionals and 32 amateurs taking part, and prize money worth £500,000 up for grabs as well. It will also see two female players compete, with six-time ladies’ world champion Reanne Evans being able to take part and challenge the male players.
“The new format creates a hugely exciting and challenging tournament for the players. A real David and Goliath clash which will capture the public imagination. The World Open will give everyone the opportunity to take part and maybe earn the chance at playing the very best in the game,” said Hearn.
A bleak picture was being painted for snooker at the start of the season. Now, thanks to Hearn, the sport is transforming, and is becoming one that everyone will want to watch again.
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