posted Jan 17, 2009

Welcome Snooker to the Credit Crunch. Car Companies suspending production, banks going to the wall, and firms everywhere suspending sponsorship. Add to the mix that the ban on tobacco products (these and alcohol the only ones to do well in a recession) and you reach the reap as you sow. Not enough money Ronnie? Tell that the millions of unemployed who watch you on the telly

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 17, 2009

After listening to todays comments and passed comments from Ronnie Osullivan I feel compelled to write and say on behalf of amatuer snooker players who pay to play each week not always in the best of circumstances in some clubs and pay to watch the skills of the proffessionals and the genius of Mr Osulluvan that he needs to wake up to what his talent gives to the snooker community and all that he has gained from it. For him to complain like he does he should try getting up at 4 in the morning and doing a 12 hour shift days/nights and take a leaf out of the Hendrys and Davies of this world on how to conduct himself. That said if wants to jazz up snooker and make it more exciting which I for one dont think it is neccessary because it is about skill and personality on and off. Why does not try giving something back to the youngsters coming up through the ranks and be an ambassador to the game instead of whingeing about things that are nothing like the problems of the working people. If I had his talent along with the love I have for the game I would be prepared to promote the game with endless passion

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 17, 2009

It strikes me as ridiculous that the BBC cover snooker, and 'discuss' the death of the game on air. Mr Davis agrees with Mr. O'Sullivan, albeit up to a point. Surely the BBC should back up Mr Davis and the other prominent members of the game by having the balls (sorry) to broadcast the snooker on friday and saturday nights in it's entirety? Ronnie at a packed Wembley, why only start the coverage on terestrial at 9? Hardly helping the game to show re-runs of Dad's Army instead of live snooker is it?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 17, 2009

I feel very strongly about this: O'Sullivan's behaviour in general is that of a spoilt child. He's constantly bemoaning the sport, his fellow players, the tournament organisers or his father's treatment. I find it pretty offensive that someone who's made a very good living at a job can act so unprofessionally towards it.
I find it equally distasteful that the BBC pander to him by constantly showing his soundbites, discussing them, and touting him as a snookering messiah.
I love watching & playing snooker, and the format is perfect as it is. The suggestion of time limits & glitz is ridiculous, and if people can't concentrate on a ten minute frame, then perhaps they should turn their attentions to something less demanding.
This constant obsession of Ronnie being the game's 'biggest draw' is demeaning to other, more professional players. To me, he's a big turn off.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 18, 2009

Bang on, Fishcom.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 18, 2009

without investment or promotion from individuals outside the game it may die.... where do you think the future of the sport is heading?

-

You may have answered your own question there Phil.

Where do you think the sport is heading Phil?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 19, 2009

Phil, I have put some more thought into this....

There is nothing wrong with Snooker as a product. The evidence for this, was is in last nights (Sunday) fantastic Masters final between Ronnie O'Sullivan & Mark Selby.

From a TV perspective, this is where I feel improvements can avert this downward spiral.

The Drama, Tension & Emotion in Snooker. The drama, tension & emotion, on how you deliver this to us , is key to the future success of Snooker. Let me elaborate....

The first thing the BBC need to understand, is that us viewers can easily pick up on the drama, tensions & emotions in a match without the commentators having to tell us so. Us viewers, can also see, when the commentators also start to become tense. This is easily identifiable from some comments that are made in such situations, when matches start to reach their final conclusion & the pressure really starts to show. I am not going to ridicule any of the commentators here. My advice would be, for the commentators to understand situations better & as the saying goes, "Saying nothing, sometimes means saying everything".

Snookers' future, in my opinion, is still highly dependent on Television's coverage which will ultimately lead, to more sponsorship & help generate more revenue for the game. The huge success of the game was due to television bringing the high drama, tensions, emotions of the game, into our front rooms. Your Snooker viewers are totally up to speed with how the game is now played, from a rules perspective.

It would help if your commentators could also explain to your viewers the psychological aspects of the game before a match begins, what to look out for, when certain situations may arise. Us viewers, do know that there are some matches that are more 'spicier' than others. This should be discussed in more detail too.

Snooker, is sometimes like Chess. On some occasions, you have to break your opponent down to get an opportunity, by playing a very high standard of tactical play. This is where the players you have commentating, should be used more, by explaining the mental aspects of how to do so. A good example of this, was when Ronnie O'Sullivan was offered the 3rd re-rack in the 18th frame on Sunday. Mark wanted a re-rack, Ronnie refused. Ronnie then wanted to re-rack, Mark refused. Neither wanted to back down, because neither wanted to show any mental weakness & it became a type of 'Alpha Male' scenario & this was not recognised by your commentators, because I feel, both co-commentators, did not want to speak negatively on this point. They should learn to put this type of situation into the game, in a more positive manner, if they are afraid of doing so. Us viewers know when this is happening & should be recognised for this, in my opinion. This is still missing from your television coverage & if this was practiced by the BBC commentators more, would help add to the drama & tension, & emotions would then soon follow.

Yes, we all love watching 147's, back to back centuries, where the top payers make the game look ever so easy. However, us viewers also like to see the players have to work extremely hard. It is here, the drama, tensions & emotions start to flow & the game, from a viewing perspective, becomes extremely interesting & avid viewing, I might add too.

To reiterate Phil, there is nothing wrong with Snooker as a product. One of the first problems that should be addressed, is how it is delivered to us, your viewers. By helping to recognise & delivering this same drama, tension & emotion, would be a fantastic start.

Yours in Sport,

John

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 21, 2009

John this is one of the most remarkable posts I have read on this board. I totally agree with it.
However in my opinion something must be done aswell to attract the viewers at the venue. Television is offering such excellent coverage that it is hard to motivate people to come and watch at the venue sometimes. The problem is that the event must be profitable for the organisers and the venue managers aswell otherwise snooker will have to be played in the streets
At the Crucible there are a lot of "diversions", cuezone, coaching sessions... not to mention that Sheffield itself is a lovely place. Same attention should be paid for all events. Quality of the venues, and surroundings, is very important.
Players are the main actors in the game. It is important that they feel "well" in their professional environment so that they deliver at their best (nothing new since Chaplin!). Quality of facilities for the players (and their family) should be considered and probably enhanced. Also "timing" of the matches. In UK early rounds the second matches of the day almost systematically started late, for some about two hours off schedule. It's not nice for anyone. Grumpy players and grumpy viewers ...
Finally, I think players should be given more freedom of speech without being penalised or slagged off - they should be allowed to express their feelings within limits of course.
You mentioned rivalries and Alpha-males... exactly. The talking is also part of it

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 21, 2009

Thanks for the feedback Monique - With a little bit of luck, Phil Dawkes will have a read through the posts & give us some feedback.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jan 21, 2009

Phil,

I just started this thread.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A46293663

It may help you....

add comment | complain about this comment