Barry Hearn has warned Sheffield City Council that they risk losing the Snooker World Championship if they do not rebuild the Crucible theatre.
The 2024 edition of the tournament is currently underway in Sheffield. Reigning champion Luca Brecel is already out, while four-time winner Mark Selby also suffered a shock first-round elimination.
Away from the action, the hosts of the tournament have been met with criticism. Ronnie O’Sullivan has slammed the Crucible theatre and has suggested that Saudi Arabia would be a better location.
The Sheffield theatre has a contract until 2027 to host the tournament. But Hearn has warned that it will only stay in Yorkshire should the facilities themselves be rebuilt.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: "Nothing much has changed. I am doing absolutely everything to stay in Sheffield. But it takes two to tango - I'll stay here while we are wanted. I know we are wanted by the BBC, I think we're wanted by Sheffield.
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"But they've got to be realistic and we have said for the last few years we need a new venue that seats 2,500-3,000 people because I am fed up of getting letters from people all over the world asking how they can get a ticket.
“I'm looking to Sheffield to come to the party and if they do, we're staying. And if they don't, they're really saying to me 'We don't want you'. So it's not really my call.
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"Trust me, money has the edge every time. We live in the real world, if there are deals out there that are going to change people's lives and increase profitability, there's not really a choice to make."
O’Sullivan, 48, is one of the stars who has pushed for a move away from the Crucible in the immediate future. Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I don’t like the Crucible. I don’t think you can get in and out of it. I think definitely it’s a wise decision to take it away from Sheffield.
“Still have a tournament there. Why not? But just not the world championship over 17 days. It’s a massive circus and you need a massive space to accommodate it.
“I think Saudi Arabia would be great. They’ve got the resources and would do it great. If you’re going to take it to China, you’d have to take it to Shanghai. Or another major city like Shenzhen or Guangzhou.”
O’Sullivan is not the only one to have criticised the Crucible over recent days. Ali Carter and Hossein Vafaei have also spoken out - the latter claiming that the venue “smells”.
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