A break from tradition? How does snooker’s future look and what’s on the table

BREAK FROM TRADITION: The Crucible’s status as the home of the World Snooker Championship is under threat. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA

Besides Ronnie O’Sullivan’s seemingly unstoppable surge towards a record eighth title, two separate narratives have been dominating the headlines during the first week of the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield.

Comments by O’Sullivan and the sport’s predominant power-broker Barry Hearn have fuelled speculation that the tournament could be taken away from the Crucible – while in a separate development, details are emerging of a potential rival tour based in China.