The financial rewards of a breakaway snooker tour appeal to Ronnie O’Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan playfully entertained the idea of a LIV Golf-style breakaway in snooker, expressing his openness to such a venture if offered a significant sum. However, he maintained a neutral stance on the potential impact of a rival tour on the World Snooker Tour (WST). Reports suggest that leading players, including O’Sullivan, have been approached by backers from the Far East regarding the establishment of a breakaway circuit as soon as the next season. Despite this, O’Sullivan has committed to playing in WST events in Saudi Arabia for the next three years, effectively removing himself from consideration for any parallel tour. Nonetheless, he admitted that if a venture of similar magnitude to LIV Golf, which has attracted top golfers away from established tours, emerged in snooker, he would be eager to receive the call.

Ahead of his anticipated World Championship quarter-final match against Stuart Bingham, O’Sullivan shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I would love to see a LIV-style breakaway, gosh! I wouldn’t mind getting a phone call saying ‘here, do you want 600 million to play for three years?’ I’d love that phone call, wouldn’t you?” While the WST recently relaxed its rules allowing contracted players to participate in other events as long as they don’t conflict with its own, the magnitude of the proposed Far East tour renders simultaneous commitment unfeasible.

When questioned about the implications of players joining a rival tour and whether they should still be permitted to compete on the WST, O’Sullivan remained noncommittal, asserting, “I don’t know. I don’t get involved in it. Each to their own. Everyone’s got to do what they’ve got to do. I try not to get involved in it.” He emphasized the individual nature of decisions within the sport, acknowledging the diverse circumstances and priorities of players. O’Sullivan emphasized that while financial considerations may be significant for some, others prioritize time and personal fulfillment. He concluded, “It’s not just always about money. The most important thing is our time. For some people it’s money. It’s whatever really.”