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Hearn eyes razzmatazz and Europe for snooker's future

Barry Hearn: 'Inevitably there will be more razzmatazz, but we mustn't lose track of the strengths of the game' © Getty Images

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Snooker chief Barry Hearn has revealed plans to try to break into the European market with a new tournament in Berlin in 2011.

Hearn, who took over as chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association in December, said he was prepared to revamp the whole sport in a bid to broaden its appeal. "The basis of the game is good," he told the BBC. "It just needs a few simple things to freshen it up. Europe is right up there at the forefront of my plans.

"I'm very excited about Germany, Austria, eastern Europe and the Nordic countries. It's showing some resurgence in interest and it's a market that can make us money and therefore I'm even more interested."

The entry of players to music at Wembley last week was a sign of change. While hardly new, it represented a small advance for a sport seen by many as ultra conservative. "The nicknames and entrance music are just very small steps in making the game more appealing to a younger audience," he said. "Inevitably there will be more razzmatazz, but we mustn't lose track of the strengths of the game."

While Hearn admitted some major tournaments were "almost untouchable", he explained there was still scope to make changes elsewhere. "It might involve shorter formats, outrageous razzmatazz … or may involve absolutely nothing if the product is right."

One of the main issues Hearn is keen to address is the lack of events to make it more appealing to professional players. "My job is to … make sure the players are kept busy. We have the weapons to do it. The players are very receptive and I've been impressed with their desire to hand over the workings to myself and all those at World Snooker.

"I need them to show that support by actions and that they are prepared to join me on this historic little journey we are about to undertake because it's going to be fun."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.