7-Time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan Files Lawsuit Against Heads of Snooker Through His Company

The most successful snooker player in the 21st century, Ronnie O’Sullivan, set off a legal battle against snooker bosses. A £10.2 million (almost US$12.5 million) lawsuit is filed by the company in which the seven-time world champion is a stakeholder against the World Snooker Tour for an “abuse of their dominant position” in the game.

Photo: Ronnie O’Sullivan at the English Open 2018 (screenshot https://www.youtube.com/@EurosportSnooker)

A lawsuit filed against the World Snooker Tour (WST) by a business partially owned by Ronnie O’Sullivan put a shadow over The Masters 2025 at London’s Alexandra Palace. The major professional snooker tour, as well as the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) have been sued by NST Worldwide, of which O’Sullivan is one of just three shareholders, for an “abuse of their dominant position” in the game before the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).

The business, which was founded in 2022 by snooker organizer Jason Francis and attorney Mayus Karia, alleges that players have been barred from participation in other tournaments through illegal and anti-competitive tactics. The WST stated that they’ll defend, rejecting the claims.

Francis attempted to organize four events featuring the top stars in the sport, which led to the shocking legal action. The WST, whose players sign contracts prohibiting them from competing in outside competitions unless authorized, only sanctioned two of the four events. Despite owning shares in NST Worldwide, O’Sullivan doesn’t participate in the day-to-day operations of the company.

O’Sullivan’s Shocking Withdrawal from Masters

O’Sullivan has withdrawn from his Masters title defense because of health concerns. On January 12, the record eight-time champion and seven-time world champion (the most successful snooker player in the world in the 21st century) was scheduled to play his fellow countryman from England, John Higgins, in the opening match of the Alexandra Palace tournament, in which he was the best snooker betting sites’ second outright favorite. World No. 20 Neil Robertson has taken O’Sullivan’s spot in the coveted Triple Crown tournament.

When “The Rocket” won The Masters last year at the age of 48, he memorably became the oldest winner in history, following his recognition as the youngest tournament winner. However, O’Sullivan has been in poor form lately, pulling out of the Champions League in Leicester prior to his last group match. The world No. 3 lost three of his four games in a single day, and the next day, after missing a straightforward pot during a loss to Robert Milkins, he smashed his cue on the table.