888 have decided to quit their five year deal to sponsor the World Championship of Snooker after only three years and Saga Insurance has decided to remove themselves from the Wembley Masters. Both 888 and Saga Insurance are major sponsors for the game of Snooker. Sir Rodney Walker, the Chairman of World Snooker and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, says despite the withdrawal of the two sponsors, there is no crisis for the game.

Walker told BBC Radio 5 Live that it is a “disappointment but not a blow.” It has been stated that Snooker will see a loss of £1.5m because of the two sponsor’s withdrawal. Walker also stated that they knew the two would be leaving and that World Snooker has a reserve that they can tap into if needed. Walker stated: “You build up reserves for situations such as this.” Walker also said they knew the Companies would be leaving and still decided to raise the prize money for the 2008/09 season. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association believe that the two Companies withdrew from the sponsorships due to the “current economic climate.”

Walker also stated that he is confident that World Snooker will replace both sponsors. Walker has stated that the group has new tournaments in China, a fourth could be in the works and a new tournament would be announced next week for the Middle East. We shall see in the next few weeks in the game of Snooker is able to overcome the withdrawal of the major sponsors and stay afloat. It could be that they pick up sponsorship from China or the Middle East with the upcoming tournaments scheduled. World Snooker also believes there are commercial opportunities growing for the game and they will benefit from in the future.


- 2008-08-07