A digital marketing and growth company in the UK has signed former world snooker champion Shaun Murphy to its network of clients.
Champions (UK) plc will partner with the 42-year-old on sponsorship and endorsement opportunities, while providing the cueman a chance to build on his burgeoning career in motivational speaking.
It’s a move that suggests Murphy is looking to forge professional relationships for when his snooker career ends… although there’s no suggestion that ‘The Magician’ is ready to hang up his wand quite yet.
Like a Fine Wine
Snooker is not a sport in which advancing age is the death knell of a career. Those that bet on UK Championship snooker have already showcased their support for the 48-year-old Ronnie O’Sullivan, making him the +350 co-favorite for the title with Judd Trump.
The snooker odds also look favorably on forty-somethings Mark Selby (+700) and Neil Robertson (+900), while O’Sullivan’s fellow alumni of the Class of ’92 – Mark Williams and John Higgins – are also not forlorn hopes.
At odds of +1900 for the UK Championship, the sportsbooks recognize that Murphy too still has the game to challenge for the title, despite entering his fifth decade.
With 12 ranking event titles to his name, plus a current world ranking of eight, the Englishman is no stranger to success on the green baize.
And there’s been enough glimpses of his best form in 2024 to suggest that Murphy could yet return to the winners’ circle. He reached the final of the Shanghai Masters in July – beating high quality opposition in the likes of Selby, Kyren Wilson and Barry Hawkins along the way.
SHANGHAI MASTERS CHAMPION 🌆👑
Trump beats Murphy 11-5!#ShanghaiMasters @juddtrump pic.twitter.com/gkFKX6C6Ws
— WST (@WeAreWST) July 21, 2024
A run to the semi-final of the Saudi Arabian Snooker Masters in September confirms that there’s still consistency to The Magician’s game, too: how he’d love to conjure up another Triple Crown title as the season enters its business end.
Branching Out
Of course, any professional sportsman and woman would be wise to think about their future careers following retirement from their chosen vocation.
Murphy has already branched out into snooker commentary, working as a pundit and summarizer for the BBC on their coverage of the sport’s blue riband events.
The Snooker World Championship starts today!
Shaun Murphy says the sport “is in the best state it has ever been in”.
Read more ⬇️ #BBCSnooker
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 15, 2023
Naturally comfortable when speaking in front of the camera – or large groups of people, you can see why Champions were keen to get the 42-year-old on board.
It’s interesting to note a digital marketing company, which also offers specialism in web development and creative design, branch out into the world of motivational speaking.
But if the aim of any marketing agency is to build relationships with prospective and existing clients, you can see the benefit of having entertaining public figures like Murphy on board.
