Ronnie O'Sullivan has encouraged rebel players to "go where the money is" amid a rumoured LIV-style breakaway tour.
It is understood a number of snookers top stars have an offer on the table, around 350,000, to jump ship. World Snooker Tour's stance on rival events is clear that contracted players are free to play in anything as long as it does not clash with a main tour event.
And that will leave potters with a big decision regarding whether or not to turn their back on the professional circuit this summer. Bullish Barry Hearn believes in the financial security of the tour and told rebels they would have to start at Q School if they wanted to come back.
World No.1 OSullivan is signed to a multi-million pound three-year deal, directly with Saudi Arabia, to play WST events in the country. And the Rocket, 48, who kicked off his bid for a record eighth World Championship with a 10-1 demolition of qualifier Jackson Page, said: Theres talk there might be another tour.
Every player has the right to do what they want to do you see it in other sports like golf. The bottom line is youve got to be prepared to walk away, if I didnt get what I want am I prepared to walk away from the sport? And the answer is yes. Im happy with my life.
I want to be looked after, wanna be pampered, anyone who wants to pamper me and look after me, Im your man. Im just an open book, Im here, best offer, come speak to me, youll find my contact details on Instagram. First come first served, that will be my policy until I stop playing.
Each sportsman is a business whether you like it or not so you have to do whats right for you. We all have families to feed. Every person in the world is like that, Ive got a friend who works for the NHS but has been offered three or four times her salary to go and work in Australia so shes going to go and do that.
"Shes just going for the better pay, thats what happens sometimes. We live in a competitive world, so its great that theres this choice out there."
OSullivan has been criticised for joining forces with oil-rich Saudi Arabia. And when asked about the condemnation of the sportswashing countrys appalling human rights record, OSullivan said people should look closer to home.
The Rocket, wearing a Riyadh Season logo on his sleeve, added: Weve got really serious human rights issues going on in the UK and the US. We should be looking at ourselves seriously, I dont think we have the right to criticise anyone.
The country has been heavily linked with hosting the World Championship once the current contract with the Crucible Theatre ends in 2027. That would coincide with the 50-year anniversary of the event at the iconic venue and the centenary of the tournament being held.
But Jimmy White, a six-time runner-up, launched a passionate plea to snooker bosses to keep the event at its spiritual Sheffield home. You would lose the magic of the venue, stressed the Whirlwind.
It has been here since 1977. In the 1980s, snooker became huge, it has gone from strength to strength. People dont turn around and say, I want to play at the World Championship. They say I want to play at the Crucible.
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I like that he's honest about it.
^ Hey now that's completely unfair!
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