Snooker legend Jimmy White has pledged his future to snooker's rebel tour dealing a huge blow to the sport's governing body.
White has agreed to join The Sportsmasters Network's world tour and links up with other leading stars including seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, current world title-holder and world number one Mark Williams, plus Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ken Doherty.
Until today White was undecided about his future but news of his signing is a major victory for TSN and a major setback for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.
"I want to play against the best players in the game and the best have already committed themselves to the TSN world tour," said the six-time world championship runner-up.
"I have had the chance to see both the WPBSA's and TSN's presentations and of the two, I have no doubt that TSN's plan and vision for the future will serve the game of snooker best at all levels."
TSN managing director Gerry Sinclair said: "I am delighted at the decision of the 'People's Champion' to join TSN's world tour.
"Fans and viewing public deserve to see the world's best players playing on a worldwide stage and now that another snooker great like Jimmy White has signed, only TSN can deliver that."
White's decision to join TSN will increase pressure on the other leading professionals to make up their minds about next season.
Among the non-TSN players are John Higgins, who recently signed a three-year deal with World Snooker, Steve Davis, John Parrott, Matthew Stevens, Alan McManus and Peter Ebdon. PA