Alternative proposal by John Davison "Mr Altium"

wildJONESEYE wrote:that is the key theres nothing there with 10 ranking tournaments having to work round the PL Matches the ranking tournaments will have to start mid july start of august or another instance where players will have to chose PL or Ranker. which is not fair on players.

this is unworkable in such a short space of time if i was davison just to be fair on him id tell the players to go with hearn just aslong as we can have a vote between what they just played in 2010/2011 and what he is offering in a vote next may so that players can chew the fat on both....as it stands i don't think J D has a hope Snooker players always goes with better the devil you know intercourse me about 30 voted to keep walker in a intercoursing Job for christ sake .

Challenge to Barry Hearn's plan to transform snooker's ruling body
• Hearn plan to buy 51% of WPBSA to be discussed at EGM
• New proposal suggests revising stake to 63%

Clive Everton
guardian.co.uk, Friday 28 May 2010 19.01 BST
Article history

Barry Hearn wants the WPBSA to become solely a rules, regulation and disciplinary authority. Photograph: David Levene

Barry Hearn's radical plan to transform snooker is facing an unexpected late challenge inspired by Lee Doyle, the chairman of 110sport, the game's largest player management agency, and fronted by John Davison, a City figure recently retired from the venture capitalists Bridgepoint.

Hearn's plan will be discussed at Wednesday's emergency general meeting of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association and if it is defeated Davison's offer will be put forward at a subsequent EGM. Hearn proposes the WPBSA becomes solely a rules, regulatory and disciplinary authority, with Hearn's company Matchroom holding a 51% stake.

"The reason I want 51% is that I don't want to do the major job that is needed to revive snooker and then leave myself vulnerable to a coup from a combination of other shareholders," said Hearn, who would pay £255,000 for this holding.

In Davison's plan he would acquire a 63% stake in snooker's commercial assets for £315,000 with the WPBSA taking 37% in a players' trust. He has suggested that this £315,000 be paid "to the top 64 players [ie the voting membership] as a special dividend in cash immediately the acquisition is completed", an offer Hearn described as "a barefaced attempt to buy votes which in any case, under our constitution, I believe to be illegal".

Hearn was invited to become chairman after December's annual general meeting ousted his predecessor Sir Rodney Walker, and two other board members, Jim McMahon and Mike Dunn, on a vote of no confidence.

These three are among Hearn's opponents, as well as Doyle who did not come up for re-election but resigned shortly afterwards after Hearn had complained that his access to WPBSA information was giving 110sport commercial advantages, notably in China, which constituted an unacceptable conflict of interest.

Whereas Hearn's long released plans guarantee £4.5m in prize money for next season's circuit, rising by 5% annually, Davison's bid, published on Thursday evening, guarantees £5m rising by £200,000 annually. Davison promises more ranking tournaments but has offered no information on dates, sponsors, venues or broadcasting arrangements.

HENDRY GIVES BACKING TO DAVISON OFFER

SNOOKER legend Stephen Hendry says the offer made by John Davison to his fellow professionals “really has to succeed” if snooker is to go forward.

On Thursday, Davison – who failed in his attempt to take commercial control of snooker eight years ago – returned with an alternative plan to rival Barry Hearn’s attempt to persuade the players to hand over complete control of the game.

“For a sport which many would like to write off, to have two bids on the table to take the game forward shows that there is plenty of life in snooker,” Hendry, the most successful player in history told 110sport.tv.

“Players have been crying out for proper tournaments and more money and the proposal put forward by John Davison certain meets those criteria.

“John (Davison) is a guy with a fantastic track record and huge experience in the sports industry. He has come forward again to lend his expertise and acumen to snooker says a lot about what he sees in terms of potential for the sport.

“He has stipulated the time scale he will work within, which for me is more appealing than just handing all of our assets over.”

Hendry added; “Eight years ago his offer then was rejected almost entirely on the back of ill-informed individuals who spread rumours and lies that myself and Ian Doyle had something to do with the Altium proposal when nothing could have been further from the truth.

“Thankfully this time around, there won’t be that kind of misleading distraction. Ian has retired and some would say I’m going the same way! But this is down to individual players making the right decision this time.

“I want what is best for snooker. No-one can say that has been the case over the last decade.

“But this time, whoever comes out the winner at the other end, there should be a shaking of hands and none of the acrimony that has belittled snooker for so long.

“That said, which ever proposal is accepted has to succeed.“

World No.15 Mark King, portrayed as a ‘wavering voter’ by some insiders ahead of the Davison announcement, is another supporter of the alternative offer.

“I don’t see how anyone couldn’t be impressed by this offer,” said King.

“Several years ago I was one of those who made a wrong call – which proved to be a disaster for snooker – by not backing Mr Davison’s Altium bid.

“Obviously he still sees potential in snooker – and he is investing his money in pushing the game forward. The fact he has come back for another try to save the game shows a huge level of conviction in my eyes.

“All of last week in Austria people were wondering if there was going to be a counter proposal. Now that I’ve seen it, it was worth waiting for.

“We need serious tournaments, not every event carrying ranking status, playing on tables with pockets like buckets where the outcome is just a lottery.”

BATTLE LINES DRAWN...AGAIN
Just as Barry Hearn’s plans for the future of snooker looked set to receive the green light from players at next Wednesday’s EGM a rival bid has been tabled to take control of the sport.

John Davison, who was behind the Altium bid in 2002, which wanted control of the game’s commercial rights in return for a large investment, is heading a team promising ten world ranking events

In fact, I understand Davison and Hearn met last week and came close to agreeing a joint deal but could not conclude terms.

So, once again, battle lines are being drawn and the players have to decide who to back as various parties tug at their waistcoats, asking for support.

Davison was treated disgracefully by the snooker world when he originally attempted to breathe much needed investment into the game eight years ago.

All manner of misinformation was spread, chiefly that he was some kind of patsy for Ian Doyle, the then 110sport chairman, to “take over the game.”

The players’ vote was tied at 36-36. In the days that followed, Davison formed the view that the WPBSA board members – who would have had their power significantly eroded were he successful – were doing their best to prevent him getting anywhere near the sport and withdrew his offer.

Davison is a serious figure from the business world. He was a partner in a leading private equity firm and thus has access not only to financial resources but also other contacts in the City.

He has named Karl Bistany, a leading sports rights agent, and Joylon Armstrong, a well established PR expert, as two other members of his team.

What is Davison proposing?

His plan is for ten ranking events, two invitation events, six Players Tour events and prize money for next season guaranteed at £5m, rising by £200,000 for each of the next three years.

What does he want in return?

Davison is asking to secure the commercial rights of the game for the next 15 years, acquiring a 63% stake in World Snooker Limited, the WPBSA’s subsidiary company.

He intends to pay £315,000 for this, which will be redistributed as a dividend of around £5,000 to each of the world’s top 64 (i.e. the voting membership). Hearn has questioned whether this is legal.

Davison also states that the WPBSA, which will remain the rules and regulatory body, will have “a strong team of new independent directors.”

What are the pitfalls?

Davison is not some con-artist trying to scoop up snooker’s commercial rights in a big swag bag but there is a lack of clarity in parts of his proposal.

These ten ranking events: where will they be? When will they be? Who will broadcast them? Is there a provisional calendar?

Crucially, who will be the new directors?

Snooker’s problems are not just related to finances but also personnel. Will Davison invite back any members of the previous WPBSA board?

If he does, the game will lose credibility with broadcasters, sponsors and other potential partners. These people were after all rejected by the players less than six months ago.

So what happens now?

Well, Hearn has invited Davison to the EGM to address the players directly and debate the issues surrounding his bid.

This will give Davison the chance to himself answer some of the questions in this post and the many others the players will have.

It will also give Hearn the opportunity to point out the dangers – as he would see them – of abandoning his plan and taking a chance on this last minute proposal.

However, the vote won’t be for Hearn or Davison. If the players want to take a chance on the Davison proposal they will have to vote down Hearn and then vote for Davison at a subsequent EGM.

And knowing the snooker world, it is entirely conceivable that they could reject Hearn, then conspire to reject Davison and end up back where we started.

Davison, and of course his money, would be a valuable asset to snooker. Had he launched this bid a year ago he would probably now be running the sport.

But many will argue that Hearn has started a job and should be allowed to continue it. He is known and liked by the various broadcasters snooker will need to increase its reach (Sky Sports have said they will not work with anyone else) and has a very clear set of plans in place – whether you agree with all of them or not.

With his directness and enthusiasm, he has established a media profile for himself that has seen a thaw in sports editors’ generally negative attitudes towards the game.

These same people would have a field-day at snooker’s expense if he was kicked out so soon after becoming chairman.

It’s a shame he and Davison could not reach an agreement because they would have made a formidable team.

As ever, though, it is up to the players. They will vote according to such a multitude of reasons, and because of various pressures they are put under from those who surround them, that I couldn’t predict the EGM outcome with any degree of confidence.

What I can say, though, is that it will be the most important vote snooker has faced since, er, the last one...

Monique wrote:

It’s a shame he and Davison could not reach an agreement because they would have made a formidable team.

wildJONESEYE wrote:HENDRY is talking through his bucking bottom.

Davidson plan will buck up snooker its 2 late in the day...

Facts against greed

case_master wrote:

Facts against greed

What so Davision's offer is greed? The offer that will take no money ulsess their is profit of 2 mill, I don't see that in Hearn's bid.

Witz78 wrote:Case,

we all know of your hatred for Hearn and all things Matchroom and its no secret youve spouted anti-Hearn views ever since he took control.

The fact is hes backed up his words with actions, hes talked the talk and walked the walk so he deserves the chance. It seems you hate Hearn so Davison is a better option for no reason at all other than this, yeh he was involved in a company with 7 million turnover blah blah so what i was financially involved as a Commercial Manager with a company building supermarkets for Tesco with their massive turnover etc etc. At the end of the day Hearn is Britains premier sports promoter with 35 years of success and a proven track record behind him, and he was the first to try and rescue snooker in the wake of the Walker debacle so he deserves the chance to fulfil his plans long term.

Hendry and King are a joke if theyve ditched all support for Hearn the minute Davison the 8 year mystery man re-appears. Its laughable frankly

Witz78 wrote: so what chance has Davison of sorting out TEN ranking events at short notice??

wildJONESEYE wrote:

Witz78 wrote: so what chance has Davison of sorting out TEN ranking events at short notice??

that what scares me shitless last time we had 10 ranking tournaments in snooker was 1996/1997 season in that time different boards has tried to get more tournaments and failed after long negotiations. i bet Barry Hearn has attempted in his 6 months reign to get more than 1 extra tournament ideally we wanted 8 minimum and he didn't manage and yet John Davidson from outside the WPBSA has managed to secure "10" come on are we seriously thinking that is viable in such a short space of time.

what has he told sponsors "if i get in will you sponsor the cloud coocoo land open or the fairylights masters"

Sat, 29 May 2010
Rival bid could pose a dilemma
I was surprised to hear that an alternative bid to Barry Hearn’s plans for the future of snooker will be presented next week. I understand John Davison is behind it, and I know he tried to launch something similar with the Altium group several years ago.
This could potentially create a dilemma for me, as well as all the other players who will have to wait until next week’s EGM to discover what Davison is proposing. I won’t be making up my mind until I see exactly what is on the table. I know what Barry is proposing, and I know he would do a great job and that he’s got a lot of support, and that it will be difficult to go against what he has already proposed. But as of now, I’m still undecided. I’m going to wait and see what this rival bid is about and, until then, I don’t intend to put all my eggs in one basket.
You can read more about Davison and his rival bid at Dave Hendon’s blog: http://www.snookerscene.blogspot.com/

Monique wrote:Case, Hendry's loyalty has always been with the Doyles and as Clive exposes in the guardian it's Lee Doyle behind this.
I'm not sure at all Hendry knows anything more than anyone else about this deal. And I don't think he's very concerned about the grass root game or what would happen to the lower ranked players.