LIV Golf, boxing, F1, the FIFA World Cup, and now snooker?
The sport's godfather, Barry Hearn, has always insisted that the World Championships would never leave its traditional home at the Crucible in Sheffield, despite criticisms of the building structure and its capacity growing louder by the year. But with the influence of the Middle East ever growing on major events, it seems Hearn's head has been turned by the prospect of a money spinning move to Qatar.
The 74-year-old takes more of a backseat in his Matchroom company nowadays, serving as honorary President with son Eddie in the hot seat as Chairman. And Hearn Jnr, also a renowned boxing promoter, has already shown no fear in utilising that part of the world with Anthony Joshua having fought Andy Ruiz Jnr and Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
Snooker's most famous theatre has hosted its blue ribband event since 1977, but its current deal with Sheffield City Council is set to expire in 2027. And with murmurs growing over the relatively small 980 capacity, Hearn Snr has now admitted to opening talks with the Qataris.
Pressed on the speculation, he said: “Take the Crucible - the debate goes on. 980 seats. I am getting closer with Saudis on tournaments. Qatar said to me last week ‘What year does that World Snooker contract run out with Sheffield? They asked me.
“I said: ‘It’s 2027-28.’ They replied: ‘Can we be in consideration? Can we have a say in it?’ They don’t have a snooker background. But it’s ‘if you want to do a nice big event, then we will put you in the mix.’ Who knows what is going to happen."
Hearn did say provisions were in place to development the current venue, but implied action needed to be taken sooner rather than later: “I mean I have told them (Sheffield) what they got to do. I haven’t seen too much activity in that way. We are part of the Sheffield development plan. But again I need a bit more juice on it. I live in a world of people talking about things.
“In the world I like to operate in, it’s where people do things. They are in that process, I am not criticising them. Let’s hope it comes up. We are in 2023. They have four to five years. But I don’t want it to be a decision made in four or five years. I am a Sheffield fan, I want to stay here. But it might not be my decision. Well…it is not. I am the president non-executive. So I don’t really have any power – other than we are still going to do what I tell them to do!"
And Hearn also revealed that Eddie had now come off the board of World Snooker because we are focusing on more 'global growth', but the supremo remains satisfied with his personnel: "Snooker is a big part of it but I know I have the right team running snooker. I am relaxed as much as I can be. But I still have disagreements.”
