The Professional Snooker Players Association (PSPA) has achieved a significant milestone, with membership now exceeding 50% of the professional snooker tour. This burgeoning union, established in August last year, is actively advocating for substantial changes following constructive meetings with the sport's governing bodies.
A Powerful Coalition of Elite Players
Led by chairman John Higgins, the PSPA boasts a formidable players board featuring some of the sport's biggest names. Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Stuart Bingham, Stephen Maguire, and Jack Lisowski are all lending their weight to the cause. While progress has been measured, the union is steadfast in its mission to improve conditions for all professionals.
Key Issues on the Negotiating Table
Ben Rees, a lawyer and director of the PSPA, outlined the primary concerns discussed in meetings with the World Snooker Tour (WST) and the World Professional Snooker and Billiards Association (WPBSA). The dialogue has been characterised by a positive spirit, with both sides expressing a willingness to collaborate.
Tournament Scheduling and the Ranking System
Scheduling emerged as the headline issue, with players calling for a more logical grouping of events to minimise extensive travel across different time zones. Alongside this, the ranking system was scrutinised. The PSPA advocates for a return to a points-based system rather than the current money list, arguing that the latter creates distortions, especially with high-prize events like the Saudi Arabia Masters.
Player Welfare and Commercial Rights
Healthcare coverage is a critical welfare concern. Currently, only players within the top 64 rankings receive cover, a policy the PSPA is pushing to extend to every professional on tour. Commercial opportunities were also debated, particularly regarding rules on logos for lower-ranked players to enhance their earning potential through sponsorship on their waistcoats.
Transparency and Disciplinary Procedures
The union is seeking greater transparency around WPBSA funding, specifically how money allocated to the Players Board is distributed. Additionally, members have universally questioned the current disciplinary procedures, urging for structural amendments to ensure a fairer and more transparent process for all involved.
A Constructive Yet Firm Approach
Rees emphasised that the PSPA's strategy is one of constructive engagement within a proper legal framework, not confrontation. "The overriding feeling... was that the PSPA wants to work with everybody," he stated. "It is going to challenge and it is going to try and make change for the good of the players, but it also does that constructively."
This sentiment appears reciprocal. A WPBSA spokesperson affirmed their commitment to listening to members, while Mark Davis, WPBSA Players Chair, noted, "Following our initial meeting, it’s clear that both parties share the same goal: doing what is best for the players."
Addressing Frustration and Driving Change
The process has not been without its critics. Player Mark Allen previously voiced frustration at the pace of progress, calling the initial operations "poorly run." Rees acknowledges these concerns, attributing them to passion rather than malice. He praised Allen's behind-the-scenes dedication, describing his frustration as stemming from a deep desire to see tangible improvements for the playing community.
"You need people like that in this," Rees commented. "He’s doing a hell of a lot behind the scenes, giving up his time and energy to make it happen." The lawyer also tempered expectations, explaining that while change is imminent, establishing a new union involves necessary protocols and meetings, meaning outcomes cannot be achieved overnight.
The next steps involve detailed negotiations on these core issues. With over half the tour now united under the PSPA banner, the players' collective voice is stronger than ever, poised to shape the future of professional snooker.
