The Premier League revamp
The matches themselves will see a best-of-5 format, with a 20 second shot clock. The deciding frame will be run on shootout rules, with a maximum duration of ten minutes, and the shot clock declining from 20 to 15 seconds for the later stages.
I've never been a massive fan of the Premier League. I think it's a missed opportunity, and could be so much better than what it has been and will be. These changes however, though I may be wrong on this, will be a failure in my opinion. I think it's all a bit muddled, I think the quality will be severely diluted by the reduced shot clock.
Also, this is not a League in the true sense of the word. I think it's been overcomplicated, and should have stuck to it's original play everybody once set up.
The Premier League changed this format to combat the perception of it being a series of exhibitions. I don't see how the hell these changes will alter this perception in any way. I think it's positive to have a set entry criteria that's easy to follow (each mainstream tournament winner now participates), but they blew this by giving a slot to the 'World Seniors Champion' (and world number 55, though you probably won't be told that bit) rather than the World Number Three.
If I had my way, you'd have eight places to be shared out between each ranking event winner, and in the event of being less places than the amount of ranking event winners, decide who loses out based on the rankings.
What is your opinion on these changes? Is the 'Premier' League about to shoot itself in the foot rather than becoming a vehicle to bring new fans in as it should be, or will it indeed bring snooker to new audiences? I know it's an event that the players WANT to play in, and if it brings in new fans then I'm all for it, whether I like it or not. But the jury is out in my opinion.
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Tubberlad - Posts: 5009
- Joined: 02 October 2009
- Location: Ireland
- Snooker Idol: Ronnie OSullivan
- Highest Break: 49