Hearn wins bid for control

Top 64 players vote in favour of ambitious proposal

Last updated: 2nd June 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hearn wins bid for control

Hearn: Has control of World Snooker

I do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, but for the moment snooker is united and the future looks rosy.

Barry Hearn
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Barry Hearn has gained control of World Snooker after coming out on top in a vote of the sport's top 64 players.

The promoter's company, Matchroom Sport, will take a 51 per cent controlling stake in the commercial business, which will be separated from the regulatory body - the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.

Hearn plans to raise the popularity of snooker through higher prize-money, greater television exposure and more tournaments.

Former Olympic shooter John Davison put forward a rival bid and was only narrowly defeated by 35 to 29 despite declining an invitation to attend the WPBSA extraordinary general meeting in Sheffield.

Hearn was buoyant over the future of the sport after learning of the decision.

"I'm delighted by the outcome," he said.

Challenges

"I do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, but for the moment snooker is united and the future looks rosy.

"I owe the game a lot and I will make sure that I will be giving 100 per cent every day to bring it to the level at which it should be operating."

Davison, who has had a successful career in private equity, retained the support of several figures in snooker.

Lee Doyle, boss of the management company 110Sport, as well as players such as Stephen Hendry, Ding Junhui and Peter Ebdon all backed his proposal.

Hearn plans to raise prize-money from £3.5million to £4.5million next season as well as introducing a variety of new tournaments.

He says he will return control to the WPBSA if his venture fails.

Split

Hearn will resign as chairman of the WPBSA to take up his role as head of World Snooker, in which the remaining 49 per cent of shares will be split between players and commercial stakeholders in the sport.

Davison responded to news of Hearn's victory this afternoon, which has ended his hopes of taking charge.

Eight years after the Altium group which he fronted almost came to power, Davison again missed out.

Davison said in a statement released to Press Association Sport: "We congratulate Barry on securing the votes of the playing members of the WPBSA and wish them and all the stakeholders all the best of luck in the future."