World Snooker's Leadership Given Vote of Confidence
Professional snooker has sent a strong message to the world, saying that internal squabbles will not be allowed to affect the success of the game.
The resolution to remove the current Board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association proposed by 14 of its 448-strong membership was resoundingly defeated at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at Shifnal in Shropshire today (Wednesday, November 13).
A total of 74 voting members of the WPBSA gave a convincing vote of confidence to sitting directors Jim McMahon, Gordon McKay, Jim Chambers and Joe Johnson, rejecting their proposed replacement by Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Terry Griffiths, Ray Edmonds and Jason Ferguson. The motion was defeated by 48 votes to 26.
As a result the WPBSA, in partnership with its commercial arm World Snooker Ltd, is confidently predicting a brighter long-term future for the sport.
WPBSA recently awarded all commercial responsibilities to World Snooker Ltd, to be managed by World Snooker Enterprises (WSE) under a 10-year contract. The contract was awarded to WSE after a tied membership vote prompted a rival bidder to withdraw from open competition.
Following today’s vote of confidence from the membership, McMahon said: 'This is a red-letter day for snooker. A new era of stability and continuity beckons and it’s up to all of us to make sure it stays that way.
'Today’s vote shows the players believe we have made the right decision in a fair and transparent manner – despite a concerted and unbalanced media campaign against the Board and the WSE deal.
'We have always maintained that to be commercially successful, snooker needs unity and strong commercial management. The players accept that they may not have the business acumen to run the sport themselves but this doesn’t mean they should have to sell off the crown jewels.
'Today, the players have effectively said that they want to retain ownership of their commercial rights and we support that. Under the deal with WSE, they have the best of both worlds. Now it’s up to all the players and managers in snooker to abide by this democratic decision and put an end to the back-biting once and for all.'
Richard Relton, chief executive of World Snooker Ltd, said: 'Snooker has finally got its house in order and we now have an overwhelming mandate to approach broadcasters, sponsors and other commercial partners with a positive message about the sport.
'The players are clearly tired of years of in-fighting and have opted for a clean break with the past. They have endorsed the Board’s decision to bring in experienced, impartial professionals to operate the commercial business. We have always believed that snooker has a bright future or we wouldn’t be here. This is only the beginning.'
World champion Peter Ebdon, world No 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan and former world champion John Higgins are all staunch supporters of the WPBSA and its current Board. They described today’s outcome as a victory for the players.
Ebdon said: 'The resolution to remove the Board was defeated despite a block-vote in favour of it from one particular management company. Snooker has shown the world that we want to be taking decisions for the right business reasons – not political ones. Now it’s up to all the players to set aside their personal differences and unite behind the current Board.
O’Sullivan echoed this view, adding: 'The only sport people watch more than snooker is Premiership football. Snooker hasn’t done itself any favours with this fight but it’s as popular as ever. Sponsors and broadcasters out there know that and now they know this is behind us, they will want to be involved in the sport.'
For further information please contact:
World Snooker
Media Office
T: 01952-281603
The resolution to remove the current Board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association proposed by 14 of its 448-strong membership was resoundingly defeated at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at Shifnal in Shropshire today (Wednesday, November 13).
A total of 74 voting members of the WPBSA gave a convincing vote of confidence to sitting directors Jim McMahon, Gordon McKay, Jim Chambers and Joe Johnson, rejecting their proposed replacement by Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Terry Griffiths, Ray Edmonds and Jason Ferguson. The motion was defeated by 48 votes to 26.
As a result the WPBSA, in partnership with its commercial arm World Snooker Ltd, is confidently predicting a brighter long-term future for the sport.
WPBSA recently awarded all commercial responsibilities to World Snooker Ltd, to be managed by World Snooker Enterprises (WSE) under a 10-year contract. The contract was awarded to WSE after a tied membership vote prompted a rival bidder to withdraw from open competition.
Following today’s vote of confidence from the membership, McMahon said: 'This is a red-letter day for snooker. A new era of stability and continuity beckons and it’s up to all of us to make sure it stays that way.
'Today’s vote shows the players believe we have made the right decision in a fair and transparent manner – despite a concerted and unbalanced media campaign against the Board and the WSE deal.
'We have always maintained that to be commercially successful, snooker needs unity and strong commercial management. The players accept that they may not have the business acumen to run the sport themselves but this doesn’t mean they should have to sell off the crown jewels.
'Today, the players have effectively said that they want to retain ownership of their commercial rights and we support that. Under the deal with WSE, they have the best of both worlds. Now it’s up to all the players and managers in snooker to abide by this democratic decision and put an end to the back-biting once and for all.'
Richard Relton, chief executive of World Snooker Ltd, said: 'Snooker has finally got its house in order and we now have an overwhelming mandate to approach broadcasters, sponsors and other commercial partners with a positive message about the sport.
'The players are clearly tired of years of in-fighting and have opted for a clean break with the past. They have endorsed the Board’s decision to bring in experienced, impartial professionals to operate the commercial business. We have always believed that snooker has a bright future or we wouldn’t be here. This is only the beginning.'
World champion Peter Ebdon, world No 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan and former world champion John Higgins are all staunch supporters of the WPBSA and its current Board. They described today’s outcome as a victory for the players.
Ebdon said: 'The resolution to remove the Board was defeated despite a block-vote in favour of it from one particular management company. Snooker has shown the world that we want to be taking decisions for the right business reasons – not political ones. Now it’s up to all the players to set aside their personal differences and unite behind the current Board.
O’Sullivan echoed this view, adding: 'The only sport people watch more than snooker is Premiership football. Snooker hasn’t done itself any favours with this fight but it’s as popular as ever. Sponsors and broadcasters out there know that and now they know this is behind us, they will want to be involved in the sport.'
For further information please contact:
World Snooker
Media Office
T: 01952-281603