Ebdon backs new bid by John Davison
Ebdon, a former Board member of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, says he will be backing Davison’s move to challenge Barry Hearn for control of the green baize rather than having to ‘accept the unacceptable.'
“This proposal is fantastic news for all professional players and those who would aspire to join their ranks in the future,” said Budapest-based Ebdon.
“This is a hugely credible alternative to the changes advocated by Barry (Hearn) and from my perspective is a complete no-brainer. Any player who has an interest in the future of snooker has to see John Davison’s route as the way forward,” Ebdon told 110sport.tv.
He continued; “Players want more prize money, which they will get, and want more tournaments, which they will also get.
“The entire crux of the matter for me is that we (the players) will still be in control. John Davison is in effect ‘leasing’ snooker from the players for the next 15 years – we are not being asked to sign away everything we have built up over the years and that we may never see again.
“Even the most ardent supporter of the other option cannot be happy with that prospect.”
Ebdon added; “The players need to see this for what it is; the chance for someone else to maximise the potential of the game, secure the commercial assets, take it forward, secure the future, and then hand back a healthy, vibrant sport at the end of it.
“It will be good for John Davison and his partners, and very good for snooker and the players who are making their career in this great sport.
“The players have to be behind this proposal, one hundred per cent. There is to my mind no debate; this latest offer is so far ahead of the other. We must back it.”
Reminded of his opposition to the last proposal put forward by John Davison back in 2002, Ebdon admitted; “There was a decision to be made then and I took the decision which I believed was right for me at that time.
“I was not opposed to John, or had anything against him. I did what was right for me then.
“This time around, I am choosing what he has outlined, again because I believe here and now it is best for me, best for my fellow professionals, and best for the entire game.
“I am just so pleased we have not been left in a position where the only course of action was to accept the unacceptable.”
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