John Higgins Leads New Professional Snooker Players Association: A Game-Changing Move for Players’ Rights
A groundbreaking development has taken place in the world of snooker with the formation of the Professional Snooker Players Association (PSPA), an independent body dedicated to representing the interests of professional players. Four-time world champion John Higgins has been appointed as the chairman, marking a significant step towards empowering players within the sport.
Joining Higgins on the board are thirteen distinguished players, including current world champion Kyren Wilson, along with snooker stars Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Barry Hawkins, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter, Gary Wilson, Stuart Bingham, Jack Lisowski, Stephen Maguire, Mark Allen, Ryan Day, and Joe Perry. This diverse group represents a wide range of talent and experience, all united in their goal to enhance player representation.
Matthew Selt will take on the role of director, alongside legal advisors Ben Rees and Mark Kenkre, as the PSPA aims to address growing dissatisfaction among elite players regarding their representation in the sport. Higgins has openly shared his frustrations with BBC Sport, stating, “We feel as though we’ve not been listened to as we should have been in recent years.” He pointed out that snooker has not evolved at the same pace as other top sports, emphasizing the need for change.
The PSPA’s mission is clear: to advocate for greater player involvement in the sport’s administration and commercial agreements. Higgins firmly believes, “Snooker deserves a strong, independent players’ association that stands for fairness, transparency, and progress.” The PSPA intends to foster a collaborative relationship with the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), as well as World Snooker Limited, the entity responsible for managing professional events and broadcasting rights.
Notably, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, while not on the board, has expressed his support for the PSPA initiative. Higgins mentioned, “I’ve had lots of discussions with Ronnie. He’s really excited about it, so it’s full steam ahead.” Additionally, reports indicate that renowned Chinese players Ding Junhui and Xiao Guodong are expected to join the association.
The PSPA is committed to prioritizing player welfare and enhancing transparency in decision-making processes within professional snooker. This initiative comes in response to the WPBSA’s formation of its own players’ body in 2020, which included members like Ken Doherty, Mark Davis, Ben Woollaston, and Tian Pengfei. However, many top professionals feel that the existing structure does not adequately address their concerns. Mark Allen, now a member of the PSPA board, previously called for an independent union, stating, “I don’t think the WPBSA Players’ Board is running the way it should be.” His enthusiasm for greater involvement in the sport is evident: “I’d love to be involved. I’m someone who’s very passionate about the sport.”
Stay tuned for more updates on how the PSPA will reshape the landscape of professional snooker and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of its players.
