Jack Lisowski on breakaway snooker tour: 'I’d probably rather have a couple of million quid and lose'

A running topic throughout this year’s 2024 World Snooker Championship, Jack Lisowski is the latest top professional player to be asked where he stands on a potential breakaway snooker circuit next season.

Several of the sport’s biggest names have spoken in press conferences at the Crucible following matches in the blue riband event. Last week, snooker supremo Barry Hearn even acknowledged the rumours, reiterating the strength of the World Snooker Tour and the bright future it has with new events and increased prize money on the horizon.

‘Appearance fee’ figures north of £300,000 have been mentioned for players on this rival circuit, with considerable prize money opportunities to go on top of that, however, still no details about this new tour have officially been released such as events, dates, venues, formats, players involved or even what it is called.

Some believe it may only amount to a series of small field glorified exhibitions, but it does appear there is some substance behind the scenes with several big players confirming they have been approached to join.

As per the World Snooker Tour players’ contract that professionals need to sign in order to play, players are not allowed to compete in non-sanctioned snooker events whilst a WST tournament is on at the same time. If this breakaway circuit is substantial, then surely there would be a clash in dates and a possible conflict in interest, and therefore players would likely need to decide where they’d want to play their snooker.

It doesn’t look like Ronnie O’Sullivan or Judd Trump will be moving away from the WST next season - Trump was very strong on his views about it - but the futures of Mark Williams, John Higgins, Kyren Wilson and Stephen Maguire are a bit more uncertain due to comments they have made. Having said that, in a recent post on X (Twitter), Williams stated he is staying.

Following his defeat to Stuart Bingham last night, world number 17 Lisowski was talkative about the situation, saying he is likely to be on the WST next season, although is also leaving an open mind and would like to see the two tours work together and meet in the middle.

Speaking to the press, Lisowski said: “There are big numbers being thrown around but I think I’ll be back, I’m pretty sure I will.

“I’d be lying if I said it’s not tempting, but I can’t see myself leaving the tour. The Masters is such a good event, the UK and the Worlds are special to play in. So I’m pretty sure I’ll be back for that.

“Who knows? Maybe they’ll be able to run something alongside because we’re allowed to play in other stuff now.

“The prize money is going up on this tour, we’re getting looked after better, the games’ going in the right direction. Maybe they can have something run alongside.”

“It just shows that the players and the game are starting to get valued more by the people. It’s marketable, people enjoy watching it, so I think it’s all good for the game.

“I don’t think it’s as serious as everyone’s saying. Maybe there can just be more tournaments for everyone to play in. Let’s see what happens, I’m just a snooker player.”

Asked about his friend Trump’s refusal to play on a rival snooker scene next season, Lisowski perhaps quipped: “To be honest, Judd’s Judd, but I’d probably rather have a couple of million quid and lose. I’m not going to lie. That would feel a bit easier than being donked out here.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m pretty sure I’ll be on the tour next season.”