Barry Hearn stated that after Ronnie O’Sullivan retires, snooker has the expertise to flourish: “We’ll discover the following degree, and we do have younger individuals with extraordinary means, particularly younger individuals in China”; Hearn England reiterates world championships might go away Sheffield
Final up to date: 16/08/24 11:18am
Barry Hearn thinks 48-year-old Ronnie O’Sullivan nonetheless has an extended solution to go in top-level snooker
Barry Hearn has instructed Sky Sports activities he believes snooker will live on as soon as Ronnie O’Sullivan retires, as soon as once more speaking concerning the potential for the World Championship to be misplaced if a brand new, greater Crucible isn’t in-built Sheffield Switch globally.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan, 48, stays snooker’s greatest attraction, 32 years after he and ‘Class of ’92’ gamers Mark Williams and John Higgins turned skilled.
The way forward for snooker has been a scorching matter of late at The Crucible, a membership that has hosted the World Championship yearly since 1977 and whose contract to host the event expires in 2027.
Hearn stated there are various skills rising in snooker, particularly in China
Former World Snooker chairman Hearn hopes to construct a brand new venue in Yorkshire – the present venue can solely accommodate 980 individuals – and insists his “first alternative” is to remain in Sheffield, however has not dominated out a rotation abroad sexual foundation.
Hearn stated of O’Sullivan: “Ronnie is a genius, he does not observe the traditional mould of most athletes – that is an understatement.
“He is 48 and he is in all probability enjoying the most effective of his life so I can see this younger man persevering with to play so long as he desires to.
“However we’re additionally dedicated to rising the game all over the world and the indicators are there. We have now to construct the following ’92 Class, who’ve dominated extremely for over 30 years.
“We’ll discover a larger degree, and we do have younger individuals with extraordinary skills, particularly younger individuals in China.
“However let’s wait and see how they develop. ‘Class of ’92’ is clearly not over but.”
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Sky Sports activities’ Cam Hogwood explains how the Snooker World Championship will transfer away from the occasion’s iconic Crucible
“The crucible is our dwelling – nevertheless it should be match for function”
On whether or not the World Snooker Championship will go away Sheffield, Hearn stated: “I believe snooker’s present state of affairs will very a lot fall on the ft of Sheffield Metropolis Council.
“We love Sheffield – it has been our dwelling for 40 years and has a wealthy historical past. But it surely needs to be match for function.
“Sheffield Metropolis Council is searching for a brand new Crucible and hopefully it is going to be profitable, but when it’s not then we should hold our choices open.
“I do not suppose ‘our new house is Saudi Arabia’ is a matter, but when Sheffield do not give you the kind of bundle we wish – a 3,000 seater – World Snooker shall be seeking to win the world championship in all places.
“You would possibly discover it in Saudi Arabia for a yr, Beijing for a yr and so forth. After a yr it would come again to Sheffield. Our first possibility is to remain in Sheffield – please let that occur.”
