Hearn: I’m In Awe Of O’Sullivan But His Ideas On How To Run Snooker Are Wrong

The relationship between Ronnie O'Sullivan and former manager Barry Hearn has been a rocky one for decades
14:00, 06 Sep 2022

Barry Hearn has insisted that while Ronnie O’Sullivan is the greatest snooker player in history he should just focus on that – and leave the running of the sport to others. 

The Rocket rubber-stamped an already widely acknowledged status as the best there has ever been with a record-equalling seventh world championship title at the Crucible earlier this year. 

Given his many other achievements and incredible longevity having turned professional back in 1992 the 46-year-old is hailed by all – including former World Snooker chairman Hearn – as an unparalleled genius with cue in hand.

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However the relationship between box office star O'Sullivan and his former manager Hearn has been a rocky one for decades despite the businessman having helped the maverick ace get on tour in the first place as a teenager. 

The pair have clashed in public too many times to list in full, usually triggered by the Rocket lighting the blue touchpaper with incendiary criticisms over the standard of venues, levels of prize money and quality of tournaments. 

O'Sullivan once suggested he might launch a rival tour but those ideas always seemed fanciful and were scathingly rubbished by Hearn. 

And accusing Hearn and WST of “bullying and intimidating” him over disciplinary letters received following an O'Sullivan outburst at referee Terry Camilleri at the Masters almost led to legal action against the player.  

Talking to Orla Chennaoui and Greg Rutherford on Eurosport’s podcast series, 'The Breakdown', Barry Hearn said: “I've known Ronnie since he was 12 years old. 

“We don't see eye to eye on a lot of things - because he's got his own ideas. They're wrong, of course. But that’s okay. I have ideas about brain surgery - but I wouldn't advise you letting me operate.

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“I just think he's a remarkable talent. I’m in awe of anyone with that type of ability. I've known him, his mum, his dad, the ups and downs of the family. I got him to be a professional when he was 16 years old. 

“I've got a lot of time for the kid. But Ronnie is one of those unique talents that only comes along once in a century, once in a generation, whatever you want to call it. He's the best snooker player there’s ever been by country mile. 

“I like the fact that he's in charge of his life, and he does what he wants. Sometimes it's a pain to me, I have to say, but I can understand that that's the ultimate in accomplishments - to live a life where you literally do what you want to do.” 

Having been involved in snooker since the 1970s Hearn eventually took control of the game in 2010 – and it was once his revolution of a new and much fuller calendar including some smaller events at leisure centre venues kicked in that O'Sullivan started to let rip more regularly. 

But an early row came over what Hearn saw as a lack of respect for paying fans when the Rocket deliberately turned down the chance of making a maximum 147 break at the 2016 Welsh Open due to what he saw as an insufficient prize of £10,000 for the feat. 

O'Sullivan did it again at the World Championship the year after, and Hearn accused him of lacking professionalism and branding such acts “unacceptable and disrespectful”. 

Later in 2016 at the UK Championship O'Sullivan dismissed snooker as a “nothing-type sport” and insisted it was a “car boot sale” compared to Formula One and tennis which were like “shopping at Harrods”, which led to Hearn slamming the player for talking the game down. 

Things really escalated in 2017, when O'Sullivan eventually received a disciplinary letter for outspoken criticism of referee Terry Camilleri and a photographer at the Masters. The fall-out spilled over to the World Championship, where the Rocket accused WST and Hearn personally of “bullying and intimidation”. Hearn blasted the comments calling the accusations “unfounded” and leaving clear and thinly veiled threats that any repeat would provoke legal action. 

Then at the UK Championship - a preferred setting for many of O'Sullivan’s most outspoken attacks - in 2018, O'Sullivan insisted he had the backing of fellow pros including John Higgins to launch a rival tour. There seemed little concrete to back this up and nothing has transpired on that front. But at the time Hearn said he was damaging the game, going against his players’ contract and that the whole notion was “ludicrous”. 

And in 2019 there was another flare-up after O'Sullivan’s now infamous criticism of Crawley Leisure Centre and the town itself – the venue for the English Open. The Rocket objected to sharing his workplace with everyday swimmers and those doing yoga and indoor bowls, adding also that he felt the building “smells of urine”. He added: “I’m the best at what I do – Barry wouldn’t get in the Conference League of promoters.” 

Hearn responded that O'Sullivan’s rants were becoming deadly dull and boring – and that he “was better left at the bottom of the garden with the fairies”. 

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