Barry Hearn remains hopeful a deal can be struck to keep the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible but reiterated that "it all comes down to money".
The Matchroom Sport president was positive about his latest round of talks with Sheffield City Council, whose staging agreement runs out after the 50th anniversary edition in 2027, but is unyielding when it comes to the bottom line.
With persistent whispers about more lucrative offers from the likes of Saudi Arabia, or even rebranding the prestige event as a roving showpiece, he renewed familiar calls to find more cash for the players.
Negotiations are set to continue in the summer, with a decision likely to come at the end of the year.
"I've had a very productive meeting with Sheffield City Council. We all know where our heart is, unfortunately it’s got to marry up with our wallets because that’s what professional sport is about," Hearn told BBC Two.
"I’m impressed with their attitude. There’s still some way to go, we’ve set ourselves a target of getting together again in three months to see where we’re going towards. I’ve been honest with them in saying what we need. It all comes down to money, of course.
"They’re going to need some help and, on an even bigger scale, hopefully the government identifies this as an event that is very good for Britain. Sometimes it hasn’t had the respect of that because we’ve always been here.
"I don’t want to leave but if the money’s right then I have to. Because I’m going to be under pressure from players who say everyone else’s prize money is going up – darts players, boxers, whatever – and not us.
"How do we inspire the next generation of people, other than saying like Luke Littler in darts, you can change your life through playing this sport?"
