Snooker association faces backlash over WSE axe

The snooker world looks set to be hit by yet another major political row in the wake of this week’s decision by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association to axe the game’s commercial arm, World Snooker Enterprises.

World Snooker Ltd chairman Tony Lewis yesterday resigned in protest at the move, while WSE are set to hit back with court action.

WSE were originally chosen to promote the sport amid high expectations after a battle with the Altium Group, who had promised to invest £2.5m (€3.6m).

WSE pledged to stage nine ranking events in the 2003-2004 season with aggregate prize money of £5.944m (€8.5m).

However, the WPBSA this week terminated the relationship after claiming “WSE have failed to fulfil the contract in those respects”.

WSE chief executive Richard Relton responded by saying: “The main allegations made against WSE by the Board of the WPBSA are factually wrong, and we have received legal advice that the contract has been terminated unlawfully. We are therefore seeking the appropriate legal redress.

“We very much regret that we were unable to form an effective relationship with the Board of WPBSA, especially as we made such good progress elsewhere.

“We began managing professional snooker’s commercial affairs in October last year, since when the £2.4m (€3.4m) loss we inherited has been turned around, and this season will show a profit.

“We have also, against all industry expectations, brought in major new sponsorship. We have recently announced a three-year deal with Travis Perkins to sponsor the UK Championship, just last week we concluded negotiations for a Tour Sponsor, and we were in advanced negotiations for a sponsor of the Masters.

“WSE had not commented on this situation before today as the terms of its agreement with WPBSA prohibited any public disclosure by either party.

“This statement is made now as WPBSA has failed to observe that agreed confidentiality [despite express requests to do so] and, in doing so, has released information that is factually wrong and prejudicial to WSE.

“WSE has no desire to hold this dispute in public and has instructed solicitors to act for it. Nevertheless it will take necessary and appropriate steps to protect its reputation from further damage by WPBSA.”

The WPBSA said on Tuesday: “When WSE was appointed in October last year following a comprehensive tendering process, specific performance targets were agreed.

“They included and related to the number of tournaments arranged and the prize money available to the players. WSE have failed to fulfil the contract in those respects.

“With appropriate legal advice, it was our view that the interests of the sport would be best served if the contract was terminated and commercial management of the sport be re-addressed through World Snooker Limited.”

After handing in his resignation, Lewis said yesterday: “There are three primary reasons why I have taken this step.

“Firstly, as non-executive chairman of World Snooker Ltd., I am amazed and disappointed that a decision of such importance for the business of WSL has been taken without any consultation with me whatsoever. I have worked constantly to make a bridge between WSE and the WPBSA Board.

“Secondly, I can see no reason to question the overall commercial performance of WSE.

“After inheriting a loss of almost £2.5million last year, the business of snooker is poised to report a significant profit for the financial year just ended.

“I was satisfied that necessary cost cutting measures, including painful redundancies, had been implemented to prepare the business for tough times ahead with the withdrawal of tobacco sponsorship on the immediate horizon.

“The management team had also managed to attract new revenues into the sport at a time when the sports sponsorship market has never been tougher.

“In addition, a major piece of litigation that had been hanging over the sport for some considerable time has been settled.

“Moreover, the management team has been energetic and successful in rebuilding relationships with broadcasters, sponsors, suppliers and other individuals involved in the professional game and the result has been a period of stability within the sport.

“Thirdly, the plans that the team were developing for the future in order to mitigate the lack of tobacco revenue and to reform the sport, seemed to me to be both necessary and realistic and I supported them in this.

“I am, therefore, disappointed to be leaving now, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the game for their support over the last few months.

“I have much respect for the game and its players. I wish snooker and those who participate in it, watch and support it, the very best for the future.”