Opinion on Ronnie declining the 147?

[pottr]

That's a pathetic gesture if it's just for him.

If you're daring him to make one, there needs to be a consequence for him if he doesn't.

Like paddy power making a 100k bet with him on whether or not he could make one at the worlds.

Then we'd see how big Ronnie's nuts are.

[mikeyd100]

Just read on Twitter that Paddy Power have put up £61,000 if Ronnie can hit a maximum at this years Welsh Open, wouldn't it be just like him to get one now.

Its doing the rounds now : http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...-34458280.html

Wow if thats true, how must the other players feel if they arent included.

Good PR stunt though by Paddy Power - clever marketing

[daffie]

G*ddammit...I have been saying this already, regarding Barry Hearn saying ROS is the special one and almost bigger than snooker.

Then of course this is the result of all this utter nonsense...it is a crying shame, that's what it is.

How FFS is this any good for 'the sport' ???!!!!!!!

I will be so glad when ROS finally does (really) hang up his spurs for good...good riddance I say.

[tomperty]

Exactly mate, its woken everybody up, got people talking, comments flying everywhere etc.
Its like a love / hate divide lol.
How about yourself - did you approve of his 146 or do you think he should have made the max ?

If I was sat in the crowd I would have had mixed emotions. I would have loved to have seen a 147 but at the same time I find it hilarious that he turned it down. I've never personally seen a 146 or seen someone turn down a maximum so I'm glad this has happened. It's gotten just the response he's intended for it - I bet views on the snooker have doubled today!

[mikeyd100]

If I was sat in the crowd I would have had mixed emotions. I would have loved to have seen a 147 but at the same time I find it hilarious that he turned it down. I've never personally seen a 146 or seen someone turn down a maximum so I'm glad this has happened. It's gotten just the response he's intended for it - I bet views on the snooker have doubled today!

Pretty much same as mine, the audacity to turn it down was amazing but in the same token to see a max would be so cool too.
Yep its all going a bit crazy isnt it - one thing for sure is it's publicity

[scottley]

If he gets one now he will be 51k better off so you'd have to say it was a good decision playing for a 146.

[Leo]

G*ddammit...I have been saying this already, regarding Barry Hearn saying ROS is the special one and almost bigger than snooker.

Then of course this is the result of all this utter nonsense...it is a crying shame, that's what it is.

How FFS is this any good for 'the sport' ???!!!!!!!

I will be so glad when ROS finally does (really) hang up his spurs for good...good riddance I say.

I don't think you quite grasp the importance of ROS still playing the game

[daffie]

I don't think you quite grasp the importance of ROS still playing the game

Any reply content-wise will end in a merry-go-round I'm afraid, so I will politely decline to respond.

Safe to say ROS is on a mission against Tian...3-0 up now.

[Hatcherjob]

Issues like this reflect far greater on us than it does on the artist. It certainly shows what political parties everyone votes for. I remember Tony Wilson used to tell Shaun Ryder he was a true poet and Ryder would dismiss this, as he had no education in poetry. In much the same way, I don't think Ronnie understands he is an artist and quite articulates the artistic statements he makes, simply because as a snooker player, he does not fit the profile. However, what he did yesterday was very akin to the artistic merits of KLF burning a million pound on an island and the 'Leeds 13' holiday-grant fiasco... he was holding a mirror at us. We in the west have a very unhealthy obsession with money, in the way an anorexic has for food. As far as I am aware, nobody in the history of professional snooker has made a 147 and donated the money to charity. If John Higgins made a 147 yesterday, where do you think it would have gone? Straight in to his bank account. And the same for Ronnie. So this idea that the money could have gone to charity is an entirely extraneous point of view. Incidentally, that 10k is still in existence, just in the sponsor's pocket, rather than a player's, can't they donate it?

So here, we have an all too rare sports personality, putting principle before money, but we don't applaud that. We live in a magazine culture where figureheads climb and fall an imaginary ranking ladder of popularity and we cue up to judge them and comment, and the rise and falls can be dramatic. Ronaldo earns preposterous amounts controlled in turn by his ego, and we hate him for it. He donates a weeks wage to a sick child and suddenly he's a superhero. This modest act creates with it an influx of parroting social media commentators to come forth with great adulation, usually reserved for dying soldiers. But when we certify them improper, we get sanctimonious phrases like - "He's gone down in my estimation".

When money is either destroyed or squandered, we feel distraught, We do so because it is like they are burning our dreams and desires "Imagine what I could do with that". Yet, what somebody chooses to do with their money, really has nothing to do with us. Our self importance over somebody else's business is sickening. Ronnie has given us an abundance of joy over the years, with his genius comes madness, as it always does. So the argument that fans paid money and should have been duly rewarded with the 147 is moot. As a music fan, this reminds me of some of the enigmas I have watched live over time. They can arrive late, or not turn up at all. The next week, they reveal their unbridled genius and you excuse them, this is what you invested your interest in. On the contrary, if you spend good money on Metallica, you will always get value for money, because they provide pyrotechnics. So you are responsible for which artist you would prefer to see. If you pay to watch Shaun Murphy, then expect ultimate professionalism and robotic personality, you won't be disappointed. If you pay to watch an unpredictable enigma, then expect unpredictable enigmatic things.

By the way, what a masterstroke by Hearn to change his viewpoint today. Initially, it was no surprise to hear his condemnation. I doubt a man motivated by money would understand the artistic merit of another man forfeiting cash to make a point, that is not a language he understands. However, I think he realised last night that he was losing the battle. He has tried to turn the tables today with backhanded compliments and instead put the focus on the headlines Ronnie has made for snooker, which is a canny move.

Ultimately, we forgive geniuses when the dust settles and we understand it was all in the name of entertainment. Alex Higgins has been forgiven of nearly everything he ever did. Geniuses are rightly excused in the end. It also shows us how spurious our personal offence to said incidents are.

[itsnoteasy]

I love the way Osullivan plays, for me on top form he is pretty much unplayable. I don't agree with folk who say he owes the game or the folk who pay his wages nowt, they wouldn't have a career if those fans didn't pay to watch them or sponsors shelling out to be associated with the game, so they owe them everything, no point in being the best snooker player ever if no one is willing to pay to watch you.

[Porter]

I have been watching a lot of snooker for two years now. I am totally fascinated by the complexity of the game and frankly I can't believe more people don't get into it as much as they do with other sports. Just to add my two cents about Ronnie O'Sullivan...as long as he is following the rules it is his business to play which shot when and how he wants to play it. When Ronnie was not playing earlier this season I wasn't nearly as interested in watching, the excitement just wasn't there and imho he adds a huge amount of interest to the game and I for one hope he continues to play for a long time. As others above have said careful what you wish for because once Ronnie doesn't play anymore snooker will not be the same.

[The Maestro]

Think you've taken to many of the crockets bipolar pills pal! A working class game, this self righteous prophecy belongs on an Oxbridge forum. I for one won't forgive Ronnie anything, he is a loser, extremely talented but a loser with the heart of a pea! Give me hendry, ebdon or even the champ Bingham serving it up to him any day!

[scottley]

Loser, yeah you can call a 5 time world champ that hahaha, what a load of rubbish!

[acpc89]

@Hatcherjob - Ronnie donated the prize money for his 147 at the World Open in 2010 to Charity.

The money the game receives from tickets sold I'm sure is peanuts, they practically give away most tickets now just to get crowds in. The money they receive that they need for the tournaments is from the sponsors for promoting their brand. So again, anyone saying the hard working paying public are owed anything are just blinded by self entitlement. Yes without fans, there would be no sport. But look at China events, no one turns up to watch them yet millions watch. Most people dont even pay to watch eurosport or even bbc as they stream content online. Fans turning up to the venues is probably less than 0.1% of total viewing figures. So it's misleading to say without them there is no money for the players.

[daffie]

Loser...maybe not so. T0sser...oh yes, very much so.