A petition started by snooker legend Steve Davis has been signed by most of the world’s top 32 snooker players.  It demands that the BBC reverses its decision to limit the number of advertising logos players can wear on their waistcoats during the 888.com World Championships, which is currently being televised on the BBC.

After 888.com won the deal to sponsor the World Championships in 2005, players had to display the 888.com logo on their waistcoats.  Players were also banned from displaying any of 888.com’s competitors from the online gaming industry.  The BBC then limited the number of other advertising logos on their waistcoats to just one during the championship.  It is the same in other snooker events televised by the BBC, whereby players are only allowed to display the logo of the tournament sponsors plus one other logo.  Several top snooker players see this as unfair and are missing out on sponsorship money because of the limit.

Top Australian player Neil Robertson said, “Its funny how darts players wear four logos on the BBC and we only have two.  In Formula One cars have 30 or 40 logos on them.  I signed the petition that Steve brought round.  I think every player signed it in five seconds flat.”

He continued by claiming snooker players are losing money as he said, “Some people have lost £20,000, £30,000, £40,000 or maybe even more because of this.  It’s ridiculous.  These days, with the small amount of tournaments we have, sponsorship income is even more important.”

Robertson has a sponsorship deal with Burger King and he has displayed the burger chain’s logo at events not televised by the BBC this season.  However, Burger King’s logo is absent from Robertson’s waistcoat at the Crucible because of the BBC’s rules. 

Steve Davis, who commentates for the BBC and still plays the world tour, drew up the petition at the recent China Open.  He was able to capture the signature of numerous leading snooker professionals and he then forwarded the petition to the BBC.

The row between the BBC, snooker’s governing authority and the players comes on the back of comments from an unnamed snooker player who criticised the way his sport is being run.

World Snooker responded to these comments on their website by claiming prize money has increased and they have also attempted to organise more tournaments.  The statement concluded by asking, “Would it not be more beneficial to the membership if leading players were to help their Association by making more supportive statements in the media?”

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