{"id":2681,"date":"2026-04-28T13:34:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2681"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:34:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:34:42","slug":"ronnie-osullivan-fires-cash-warning-to-snooker-chiefs-in-searing-response-to-saudi-snub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2681","title":{"rendered":"Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan fires cash warning to snooker chiefs in searing response to Saudi snub"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_4f8be1\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan saw his 2026 World Championship hopes ended by John Higgins on Monday, but he stills sees himself as snooker&#8217;s box-office draw &#8211; and will only play if the money is there<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<div class=\"Byline_author-and-badge-wrapper__2dsv1\">\n<p><span><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35 __className_4f8be1\">Craig Swan<\/strong> Senior Sportswriter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">14:04, 28 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37081661\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Ronnie O'Sullivan of England is interviewed after winning his against He Guoqiang of China during day five of the Halo World Snooker Championship at The Crucible Theatre on April 22, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Sam Bloxham\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081661.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2272572223.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081661.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_GettyImages-2272572223.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081661.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_GettyImages-2272572223.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081661.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2272572223.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Ronnie O'Sullivan has laid out his demands\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan has laid out his demands<cite aria-label=\"Image: Sam Bloxham\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Sam Bloxham\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Defiant Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan has warned global snooker chiefs to get the cheque book out or he won&#8217;t play. The seven-time world champion is adamant he is not a slave to the game and cash will dictate his choice to turn up for future events.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">O&#8221;Sullivan gave his searing assessment in response to the brutal cancellation of the lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters, worth a staggering \u00a32.3million, just two years into a 10-year deal. The Rocket also has a Snooker Academy in Riyadh and, whether it&#8217;s Saudi or anywhere else, the price must be right for him to show up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">O&#8217;Sullivan stated: &#8220;Any tournament I go to, they all know they have to get the cheque book out, so where ever I go that&#8217;s standard. If that stops then I stop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Wherever it is, Saudi, Qatar, China, here, whatever it is, I always make sure I&#8217;ve got some sort of fee coming because otherwise people know that I won&#8217;t turn up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong> <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MirrorSport#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan has salt rubbed in wounds as snooker pundit fires harsh accusation<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Neil Robertson demands instant ban on Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan&#8217;s chalk after controversy<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pressed on whether his Academy would be affected, O&#8217;Sullivan added: &#8220;I have other options, so I&#8221;m not really worried. Hopefully Saudi still want to do some stuff, but we&#8217;ll have to wait and see, then I&#8217;ll make my decisions based on whatever happens there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">O&#8217;Sullivan has been selective with events in the past couple of years and that is set to continue into next season. He said: &#8220;It depends, if my sponsors are on board, then I&#8217;ll play, but I&#8221;m not two-feet in like pretty much most of the guys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;m just grateful to be playing, and enjoying my playing and that&#8217;s it. And if I don&#8217;t enjoy it, I\u2019ll take time out. We&#8217;ll see. It&#8217;s too hard to start speculating about next year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;m just enjoying myself I&#8217;m having good fun, I&#8217;m just enjoying life and whatever I&#8217;m doing, so win, lose, draw, there&#8217;s always a safety net below. I&#8217;m not two feet in. I try my nuts off when I\u2019m out there, but I also appreciate that I&#8221;m not a slave to the game.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Do you agree with Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan? Have your say in the comments section.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37081660\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37081660\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: John Higgins of Scotland looks on against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England during the second round match on day eight of the Halo World Snooker Championship at The Crucible Theatre on April 25, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081660.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2273124120.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081660.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2273124120.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081660.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2273124120.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37081660.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2273124120.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"John Higgins dumped Ronnie O'Sullivan out\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">John Higgins dumped Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan out<cite aria-label=\"Image: George Wood\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: George Wood\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">O&#8217;Sullivan was knocked out of the World Championship following an incredible encounter against John Higgins. The Londoner&#8217;s hopes of an eighth World title were smoked by the Scot, but, despite punching a table and banging his cue during the 13-12 collapse, he claims he can cope the losses better these days due his fresh outlook.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;I have to take a result like that and I can probably handle that a lot better than if I&#8217;m all two feet in, that would really hurt to lose a game, but I feel like I&#8217;ve had a good workout, I&#8217;ve had a good game and I&#8217;ve kind of surprised myself. I can still play a bit. I enjoyed every minute, it was amazing, I had some good fun out there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">O&#8217;Sullivan stated he was heading back to Ireland after the Higgins loss, but a quick-fire return to Sheffield remains on the cards. He is scheduled to make his debut in the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible, which begins next Wednesday after the main tournament finishes two days earlier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">O&#8217;Sullivan said: &#8220;I&#8221;ll go back to Ireland and just chill there and come back whenever I&#8217;ve got to play. It&#8217;s work, mate, got to go to work. Got bills to pay. Got a lot of people on the payroll.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside <!-- -->Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ronnie O&#8217;Sullivan saw his 2026 World Championship hopes ended by John Higgins on Monday, but<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2681"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2681\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}