World Snooker have issued a statement saying that talks with internet company The Sportsmasters Network had broken down.

Jim McKenzie, managing director of World Snooker, and George Smith, chief executive of The Sportsmasters Network, met last week.

But World Snooker have admitted that talks had broken down.

"We couldn't agree to relinquish the Association's commercial rights," said WS chairman Mark Wildman.

McKenzie added: "I'm disappointed negotiations with TSN have broken down as I was hoping we could work together for the benefit of snooker".

The breakdown in talks will spark speculation on which players will compete on which circuits.

And while World Snooker insist they will not ban players from participating on the TSN tour providing there is no conflict of interest, TSN stars including world champion Mark Williams, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ken Doherty are unlikely to cue up on the WS circuit.

Non-TSN players include former world champion and world number one John Higgins, Benson and Hedges Masters champion Matthew Stevens, Jimmy White and Steve Davis plus top 16 ranked stars Alan McManus, Peter Ebdon and John Parrott.

Hendry is on record as saying he wants to play less snooker - and next season there could be a minimum of 19 events, although many are sure to overlap.

The Board of World Snooker say they plan a nine-tournament circuit for 2001-2002, carrying total prize money of £5.9 million - an increase of 30 per cent on the current campaign.

TSN plan a 10-tournament tour, including a large proportion overseas while taking responsibility for re-introducing a World Cup, last held in 1996.