‘History doesn’t pay the bills’ – Snooker star in controversial World Championship take which ‘might upset people’
ELLIOT SLESSOR has joined fellow top players in urging the biggest ever change in snooker’s World Championship – but for a different reason.
The world No.30 even admits his views “might upset a few people”.
Seven-time Crucible king Ronnie O’Sullivan and world No1 Judd Trump are among stars who reckon the Crucible might be too small.
Both have also pointed to the riches available for switching the event to Saudi Arabia or China.
But Slessor, 30, has put it far more bluntly.
The Gateshead ace said: “I understand the history, but history doesn’t pay bills. It simply doesn’t pay bills.”
The Crucible can only host 980 spectators and its contract for the April-May showpiece tournament expires in 2027.
Every World Championship since 1977 has been held at the intimate Sheffield venue.
However, Slessor told The Snooker Hall Podcast: “I might upset some people here, but I’ll tell you a spade’s a spade, and I like to tell the truth.
“Obviously, it’s an iconic venue. But in the grand scheme of things, they are on about making it a global sport and growing the game.
WHAT WAS AT STAKE LAST YEAR?
HERE'S how the £2,395,000 in total prize money for the 2024 World Championship at the Crucible was divided.
- Winner: £500,000
- Runner-up: £200,000
- Semi-finalists: £100,000
- Quarter-finalists: £50,000
- Last 16: £30,000
- Last 32: £20,000
- Last 48: £15,000
- Last 80: £10,000
- Last 112: £5,000
- Highest break (qualifying stage included): £15,000
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“Fair enough to keep it at the Crucible if you put the prize money up. But the prize money has stayed the same the last eight years for qualifying.
“That doesn’t seem like a growing game to me.”
He added: “You’ve got other countries that are rumoured to be giving millions to the winner.
“I’m not being funny, but I’m going to do some maths for you. The winner this year got £500,000.
“He’s got tax out of that, he’s got 2.5% to World Snooker out of that, he might also have to pay a coach or a manager or something out of that.
“So let’s say he takes £300-£350,000 out of that. You can’t even buy a nice house in London for that.
“And that’s the Everest of the game. You’ve climbed the biggest stage, done every person’s childhood dream, and you’re not a millionaire out of it. That blows my brains.”
He also noted the Crucible’s small capacity, saying: “There are a lot of people who want to watch it, and there’s nowhere to build on top of it.
“I think it’ll be a matter of time before it leaves the Crucible.”