Top 10 Richest Snooker Players of All Time

Snooker may not have the global sponsorship budgets of football or tennis, but its biggest names have quietly built fortunes that rival many mainstream sports stars. From six-time world champions to broadcasting legends, the richest snooker players in history owe their wealth to decades of prize money, brand endorsements, TV appearances, and savvy business moves. Below, we break down the top 10 — ranked by estimated net worth — with full career stats and income sources for each.
How Much Are the World's Top Snooker Players Worth?
The table below includes each player's primary income source — a detail readers consistently search for when researching snooker player earnings.
# | Player | Net Worth (USD) | Main Income Sources |
| 1 | Steve Davis | $33.7 million | Prize money, TV/radio, music |
| 2 | Stephen Hendry | $32.4 million | Prize money, sponsorships, exhibitions |
| 3 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | $25.3 million | Prize money, cue brand, media |
| 4 | Dennis Taylor | $23.2 million | Prize money, BBC commentary, exhibitions |
| 5 | Jimmy White | $19.4 million | Prize money, TV, endorsements |
| 6 | Mark Selby | $11.8 million | Prize money, sponsorships |
| 7 | John Parrott | $11.5 million | Prize money, BBC analysis, TV presenting |
| 8 | John Higgins | $10.1 million | Prize money, sponsor deals |
| 9 | Neil Robertson | $9.4 million | Prize money, TV, sponsorships |
| 10 | Mark Williams | $6.1 million | Prize money, exhibitions |
Steve Davis Net Worth: How the 'Nugget' Built the Biggest Fortune in Snooker

In the 1980s, Steve Davis redefined what it meant to be a snooker champion. His ice-cold focus and relentless consistency made him the dominant force of his era — six World Championship titles were just the start. As the sport's TV audience exploded, Davis became its public face, moving into broadcasting, radio presenting, and even DJing (his passion for progressive electronic music became a genuine side career). With an estimated net worth of $33.7 million, Davis sits comfortably at the top of snooker's all-time wealth rankings.
What sets Davis apart financially is how early he diversified. While other players relied purely on the table, Davis was already building a media presence that would sustain his earnings long after his playing peak faded.
Stat | Detail |
| Full name | Steve Davis OBE |
| Date of birth | 22 August 1957 |
| Birthplace | Plumstead, London, UK |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| World titles | 6 (1981–1988) |
| World finals | 8 |
| Century breaks | 338 |
| Nickname | The Nugget |
| Career peak | World No. 1 for 7 consecutive years |
Stephen Hendry Net Worth: 7 World Titles and $32.4 Million — How Did He Do It?

No snooker player has won more World Championships than Stephen Hendry — seven titles in 13 years made him the sport's defining figure of the 1990s. His attacking style was revolutionary: where others played safe, Hendry attacked, racking up 777 century breaks across his career. His net worth of $32.4 million reflects not just prize money, but an extended media career including punditry, sponsorships with major brands, and a comeback attempt in 2021 that brought fresh attention.
- World titles: 7 (a record that still stands)
- World finals: 9 — appeared in 9 of 13 possible Crucible finals from 1987–1999
- Century breaks: 777 (second only to Ronnie O'Sullivan among active/retired players)
- Maximum breaks: 11 — the most 147s among retired players
- Nickname: The King of the Crucible
- Net worth: ~$32.4 million
Ronnie O'Sullivan Net Worth: Why the Greatest Ever Is Only Third on This List

Ask most snooker fans who the greatest player of all time is, and the answer is almost always Ronnie O'Sullivan. Seven World Championship titles (matching Hendry's record), a staggering 1,264 century breaks, and 15 maximum 147 breaks — his statistics are in a class of their own. Yet despite his achievements, O'Sullivan ranks third on the net worth list, largely because Davis and Hendry built wealth during an era when snooker's TV deals and sponsorship money were proportionally larger relative to the sport's profile.
O'Sullivan's own brand, including his signature cue line and frequent media appearances, has added significantly to his $25.3 million net worth. His autobiography sales and documentary deals have also contributed to income streams that extend well beyond the baize.
Ronnie O'Sullivan — career stats at a glance:
Stat | Detail |
| World titles | 7 |
| Century breaks | 1,264 (all-time record) |
| Maximum 147 breaks | 15 (all-time record) |
| Fastest 147 | 5 min 8 sec (1997) |
| Nickname | The Rocket |
| Net worth | ~$25.3 million |
Dennis Taylor Net Worth: The 1985 Final That Launched a $23 Million Career

At 18.5 million BBC viewers, the 1985 World Championship final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis remains one of the most watched snooker moments in history. That single frame — decided on the final black ball after midnight — transformed Taylor from a top professional into a British cultural icon. His trademark oversized glasses became as famous as his cue action.
Taylor's $23.2 million net worth was built over decades: prize money through a long professional career, followed by an equally long second act in television — most notably as a BBC commentator alongside John Virgo and Hazel Irvine. Exhibition appearances and after-dinner speaking added further revenue streams.
Jimmy White Net Worth: Six World Finals, Zero Titles — and $19 Million to Show for It

Few sporting narratives are as compelling — or as bittersweet — as Jimmy White's. The Whirlwind reached six World Championship finals and lost every single one. Yet his popularity never wavered; if anything, the near-misses made fans love him more. White's charisma translated directly into commercial value: endorsements, reality TV appearances (including Celebrity Big Brother and various poker tournaments), and live exhibition shows kept him financially relevant long after his peak competitive years.
His estimated $19.4 million net worth makes him one of snooker's wealthiest players despite never lifting the sport's biggest trophy — a testament to how personality and longevity can generate wealth independently of match results.
Mark Selby Net Worth: How the 'Jester from Leicester' Earned $11.8 Million at the Table

Mark Selby is the archetypal modern snooker professional: meticulous, tactically brilliant, and remarkably consistent at the highest level. Four World Championship wins (2014, 2016, 2017, 2021) place him in the sport's all-time elite. His nickname — the Jester from Leicester — undersells the seriousness of his game; Selby's safety play is widely considered the finest in the sport's history.
Unlike some of the older names on this list, Selby's $11.8 million net worth comes primarily from on-table earnings rather than broadcasting careers, reflecting how prize money has grown in the modern era. His sponsorship portfolio includes equipment and apparel deals that supplement his tournament income.
John Parrott Net Worth: From World Champion to TV Presenter — a $11.5 Million Journey

John Parrott is one of the most naturally likeable figures snooker has ever produced — a quality that served him well both at the Crucible and on screen. His 1991 World Championship win was the highlight of a career that kept him ranked in the world's top 8 for over a decade. But Parrott's longevity as a public figure owes as much to television as to snooker: his work on A Question of Sport as a team captain, combined with decades of BBC snooker analysis, gave him mainstream visibility that few players have matched.
That media presence is the key driver of his $11.5 million net worth — a figure that reflects how snooker players who transition successfully into broadcasting can often earn as much post-table as they did during their playing careers.
John Higgins Net Worth & Career Earnings

John Higgins has been one of snooker's top three players for over three decades — a consistency of excellence almost without parallel in professional sport. Four World Championship titles, 13 maximum breaks, and 995 century breaks tell the story of a player who has never stopped competing at the highest level. The Wizard of Wishaw's estimated net worth of $10.1 million is somewhat modest given his achievements, reflecting both the era in which he rose to prominence and his comparatively lower profile in non-snooker media.
Neil Robertson Net Worth: How Australia's Snooker Champion Built a $9.4 Million Career in the UK

Neil Robertson's story is one of the most remarkable in professional snooker. Growing up in Melbourne with limited access to the UK-dominated snooker circuit, he relocated to England as a teenager to pursue his career — a gamble that paid off spectacularly. His 2010 World Championship made him the first Australian to claim the title, and his continued top-level performances through the 2010s and 2020s demonstrate exceptional longevity.
Robertson's net worth of $9.4 million is built on consistent tournament success — he has won virtually every major title in the sport at least once — combined with sponsorships and television work. His well-known passion for gaming and anime has also given him a distinct public persona that differentiates him from snooker's traditional image.
Mark Williams Net Worth: Wales' Three-Time World Champion and His $6.1 Million Fortune

Mark Williams might be the most underrated figure on this entire list. Three World Championship titles — including a remarkable comeback win in 2018 at the age of 43, after which he conducted his post-match press conference in just a bathrobe — make him one of snooker's genuine legends. As the first left-handed player to win the World Championship, he brought a distinctive style to the sport.
Williams' net worth of $6.1 million reflects a career built almost entirely on prize money and consistency at major events, rather than broadcasting or commercial ventures. His famously low-key attitude to publicity has likely cost him some endorsement opportunities, but his legacy at the table remains secure.
FAQ
Steve Davis tops the list with about $33.7 million in total assets.
Ronnie’s worth is around $25.3 million, though exact yearly income changes.
Mark Selby’s finances are valued near $11.8 million, based on wins and deals.
The biggest payout so far is £500,000, given to the World Champion.
Most referees receive between £20,000 and £35,000 per year, based on their role and experience.
Sergey Ilyin
An experienced specialist in the field of betting and gambling. He analyzes market trends, player behavior, and the dynamics of online gaming platform development. An expert in the intricacies of sports betting and knowledgeable about the regulatory framework of the gambling industry.