Four-time World Snooker Champion John Higgins has stepped into a pivotal role as chairman of the newly-formed Professional Snooker Players Association (PSPA), a body aimed at giving players greater influence over the sport’s governance and future.
According to John Higgins, the PSPA represents a much-needed shift in the balance of power between players and the sport’s administrators. “We feel as though we’ve not been listened to as we should have been in recent years,” Higgins says. “The game has not moved forward with the times compared to other top sports.”
A New Era for Snooker Players
The PSPA’s mission is clear: to champion fairness, transparency, and progress in professional snooker. Its launch comes at a time when many of the sport’s biggest names are pushing for change. The association’s player board boasts an impressive line-up including Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson, Mark Selby, Barry Hawkins, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter, Gary Wilson, Stuart Bingham, Jack Lisowski, Stephen Maguire, Mark Allen, Ryan Day, and Joe Perry.
Matthew Selt joins John Higgins as a fellow director, alongside sports lawyers Ben Rees and Mark Kenkre, bringing legal expertise to protect players’ rights in sponsorship, broadcasting, and contractual matters.
Perhaps most notably, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has signed up, along with Chinese snooker stars Ding Junhui and Xiao Guodong. Higgins revealed that O’Sullivan is “really excited about it” and fully supportive of the movement.
Why the PSPA Matters Now
The creation of the PSPA follows growing concerns that players have limited say in how the World Snooker Tour (WST) is run—especially when it comes to commercial matters. Earlier this year, during the 2024 World Championship, the snooker world buzzed with rumours of a potential breakaway tour, driven by offers of lucrative events in China and North America.
Under current contracts, players cannot compete in outside events during WST tournaments unless they are sanctioned by the WST. Recent negotiations have provided some flexibility, but many top professionals still feel constrained.
Meanwhile, the WST has been increasing prize money and is gearing up for its “fourth major” in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, offering a prize pool exceeding £2 million, will take place in Jeddah later this week—another sign of snooker’s expanding global reach.
Collaboration, Not Confrontation
Despite the PSPA’s independence, John Higgins insists the goal is not to create division but to work alongside existing bodies like the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) and the WST. The aim is to safeguard player welfare, ensure fair commercial opportunities, and help the sport grow internationally.
The WPBSA already has its own players’ body, established in 2020, which it says acts in members’ collective best interest regarding welfare and professional issues. However, the PSPA’s leaders believe a truly independent organisation is needed to ensure players’ voices carry real weight in decision-making.
Looking Ahead
With its high-profile membership and legal backing, the PSPA could become a turning point in how professional snooker is governed. For John Higgins, it’s a chance to help shape the sport’s future while protecting the livelihoods and rights of the players who make it possible.
“This could be massive for snooker,” Higgins said. “We’ve got so many top players supporting it, and that’s a sign that change is not only wanted—it’s needed.”
The snooker world will be watching closely as the PSPA begins its work, especially in light of ongoing discussions about tournament schedules, prize money distribution, and the potential for more global events. If successful, John Higgins’ leadership could mark the beginning of a more player-focused era in the sport.
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