CRUCIAL MOVE
Ronnie O’Sullivan dismisses Crucible history and doubles down on major proposal to change World Snooker Championship
He said if Eddie and Barry Hearn backed the move he would be all for it
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN would have no issue if the World Snooker Championship were ever moved to Saudi Arabia.
The Rocket has committed to playing professional snooker beyond the age of 50 after agreeing a multi-million pound deal with Saudi moneymen.
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Turki Alalshikh, the mastermind behind the country’s big money boxing fights, has announced a long-term agreement with O’Sullivan and the World Snooker Tour (WST).
The world No.1 has signed a new three-year ambassadorial with oil-rich desert bigwigs, posing for photos alongside Matchroom’s Barry and Eddie Hearn.
The agreement “guarantees that O’Sullivan will play in all WST events in Saudi Arabia and will also make special trips to the Kingdom to coach and foster aspiring talent”.
Down the years, O’Sullivan 48, has routinely threatened to quit the sport, knowing full well the importance that he plays within the sport and his enormous popularity.
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But this new contract secures his future on the circuit until at least 2027 when he will be into his sixth decade.
In a chat with SunSport last weekend, O’Sullivan called for the flagship event to be moved away from Sheffield -- the home of world snooker since 1977 -- once the venue contract expires in three years’ time.
Speaking in London on Tuesday night, O’Sullivan repeated those calls, saying: “As a player, practice facilities and hotels in Sheffield aren’t great.
“At the Crucible, you have to plot your way in and around the event, when to practice, where to eat.
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“If you had the choice, you would choose a place where everything is laid on for you.
“And in some of the events in Saudi Arabia and China, it’s a lot easier.
“Listen, Sheffield has the history and that will never change.
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“A lot of people say, what about the history there? Come on man, history is getting rewritten everyday really.
“I think if Eddie and Barry and World Snooker decide it is right to take it to Saudi, then why not?”
The inaugural 12-man World Masters of Snooker took place in Riyadh last month and O’Sullivan beat reigning world champion Luca Brecel 5-2 in the final to bank £250,000.
On the table was a 20-point Gold Ball – which meant breaks of 167 were possible – but nobody managed to sink it and earn the $500,000 prize bonus.
The pot for a high break of 167 has now been doubled to $1million for the 2025 event.
A ranking title involving all snooker Tour players will take place in the Kingdom in August and September.
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O'Sullivan has three children - two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket's on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O'Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded 'snooker's greatest feud'.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous 'Snotgate' row.
Check out all our Ronnie O'Sullivan articles here.
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