I have recently got into a blog written by Dave H (not sure what the H is for!!!), the deputy editor of Snooker Scene magazine.
The latest post is about the ever controversial Ronnie O’Sullivan commenting about the logo space on players waistcoats. According to World Snooker rules, during the World Championships players can only wear one logo in addition to the tournament logo. This rule according to an article in the Mirror Newspaper last April cost Neil Robertson an £80,000 deal with Burger King.
O’Sullivans point in the Snooker Scene blog was that players should concentrate on earnings on the table rather than what they are getting paid for wearing a certain logo.
Although the point is a valid one insomuch as Snooker is about competition it is difficult in this day and age for players outside of the elite to earn a decent living solely from prize money. Tournament prize funds have dwindled and so have the number of official ranking events, reducing potential earnings even further.
Players in the top 16 are protected by seedings so are automatically in the money positions in every tournament and as a result of seedings are on TV and command massive logo deals and endorsements.
I do not think we should consider detracting from the snooker, the sport and competition is what it is about, and I also think that a limit to a number of logo’s should be in place so as not to create an advertising farce. What I disagree with though is the way in which professional players are forced into a corner over what they can and can’t earn. Careers, on-the-whole, are limited in snooker and it is about entertainment so why shouldn’t players be allowed to earn large sums for TV appearances and within reason maximise the revenue available through a number of logo positions.
