Ronnie O'Sullivan signs the richest contract in snooker history: details of the deal.

According to The Sun: Three years of Ronnie O'Sullivan's ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia have become the most lucrative sponsorship agreement in snooker history.

For the first time, details of this contract signing have become available, as Ronnie clarified the relationship with his former manager Barry Hearn.

The new Netflix series 'Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen' shows how businessman Eddie Hearn played a key role in securing this multi-million-dollar contract for the seven-time world champion.

The Deal with Saudi Arabia

The contract was signed in London on April 16, 2024 — O'Sullivan posed for a photo with Saudi politician Turki Al-Sheikh and both Hearns, putting an end to rumors about his departure from professional sports.

The deal guarantees that O'Sullivan will participate in all World Snooker Tour (WST) events in Saudi Arabia and undertake special trips to the Kingdom to develop young talents.

By signing the agreement, he resolved the conflict that had lasted between him, senior Hearn, and the World Snooker Tour.

Before the first World Snooker Championship in Riyadh in March 2024, which featured a new formula for hitting records, O'Sullivan criticized the conditions at WST.

In an interview with SunSport, he mentioned that the level of top British events was playing at the level of 'flea markets'.

Relationship with Barry Hearn

In October 2023, he faced disciplinary action due to allegations of supposed blackmail by competition organizers regarding appearances at major shows in China.

O'Sullivan, 49, explained: 'Barry has done a lot of good things for me. He stood up for my interests to become a professional. Managed me when I was young.'

Hearn, 77, noted: 'Genius people are not normal. And he can be the biggest headache you ever had.'

Eddie Hearn, who became the head of the company in 2021, said: 'The relationship between Ronnie and my father is not very good. I hope I can build bridges.'

O'Sullivan, who won a £250,000 prize in the Middle East, connected with Eddie through memories of parties in Essex's famous clubs.

Once influential Turki Al-Sheikh gave the green light, the deal took effect, and the following month, the signature appeared on the biggest contract of O'Sullivan's life.

This led to the opening of a new snooker academy in Riyadh, and now he has moved from Essex to Dubai.

Eddie Hearn remarked: 'I told him, you are an asset for snooker, you are an asset for the tour. You need to be rewarded. I'm getting you a big deal here.'

O'Sullivan added: 'I think Eddie sees this as the bigger picture.'

This agreement not only highlights the importance of Ronnie O'Sullivan in snooker, but also signifies significant changes in the industry — the growing interest in snooker in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is becoming a key location for major tournaments and the development of young players in this sport, which can significantly impact the popularization of snooker in the region.