Darts, once a humble pub game, has transformed into a multi-million-pound empire, a shift vividly highlighted by veteran promoter Barry Hearn. While the sport now offers life-changing prize money, including a staggering £1 million for the World Darts Championship winner, Hearn reveals that this newfound wealth hasn’t stopped players from complaining. He shares a blunt exchange with a current world champion regarding food at Premier League venues, underscoring the stark contrast between the sport’s old-school roots and its modern, professional demands. This boom, Hearn explains, is largely due to strategic timing with major TV deals and the rise of new stars like Luke Littler, who could earn an astonishing £6 million this year alone.
The Astonishing Growth of Darts: From Pub Sport to Professional Powerhouse
Speaking recently in Sheffield, sports promoter Barry Hearn reflected on the remarkable evolution of both snooker and darts. While snooker’s World Championship will remain at the Crucible Theatre until at least 2045, the conversation quickly shifted to darts and its incredible financial surge in recent years.
The disparity in prize money alone speaks volumes: while the World Snooker Champion currently takes home £500,000, **the winner of the World Darts Championship recently banked an astounding £1 million.** This significant gap, according to Hearn, clearly illustrates the current commercial standing of the two sports. Yet, even with these massive financial rewards, Hearn noted that some darts players still find reasons to complain.
Hearn’s Blunt Anecdote: “Shut Up and Drink Your Lager!”
Hearn recounted a telling incident that perfectly encapsulates the changing face of darts and his no-nonsense approach to it.
- “Someone said to me the other day, I won’t tell you who he was because he’s quite well known. But bear in mind he’s the current world champion. He said something about criticising the food in the Premier League venues.”
The complaint didn’t stop there. This player, through his manager, even made a bold request for special culinary arrangements:
- “Can we have a chef in? His manager, ‘can we have his chef in?’”
Hearn’s response was classic, unfiltered Barry Hearn:
- “I went, ‘For f***’s sake, it’s a darts tournament. What are you talking about? Shut up and drink your lager.’”
This anecdote, while humorous, highlights a crucial point: **darts is no longer just a casual pub sport.** It’s a multi-million-pound industry where players are increasingly serious about their preparation and carry themselves like elite athletes, even if that means demanding personal chefs.
The Money Machine: Why Darts is Booming Beyond Belief
Barry Hearn, who turns 78 in June, confirmed his continued drive to push the sport forward, not just for personal gain, but for the thrill of making events and prize money even bigger. He pointed to the staggering sums now available, especially for a rising star like 19-year-old Luke Littler.
- “I don’t know what Littler is going to earn this year. **Six million? Ain’t bad for a game of darts, is it?**”
Hearn drew a stark comparison to past legends like Phil Taylor, who dominated darts for years but in a vastly different commercial landscape.
- “Some of the old boys, people like Phil, look at the money. Phil Taylor was throwing similar averages to Luke. Better even. But now it’s just time and place, isn’t it? How much are you worth on a specific day?”
Key Factors in Darts’ Commercial Explosion:
- The Rise of Charismatic Stars: The emergence of captivating talents like Luke Littler has injected new energy and brought fresh audiences to the sport.
- Perfect Timing for TV Deals: Hearn emphasized that the boom wasn’t just about individual brilliance. Crucially, **several major television contracts for darts were up for renewal just as Littler burst onto the scene.** This included deals with broadcasters in Sky (UK), Germany, Poland, and Scandinavia.
- Unmissable Momentum: This convergence created a “perfect moment” for darts to capitalize on its surging popularity. Broadcasters, seeing the huge viewing figures and new interest, were eager to secure their rights. “And it just came at the right time, where everybody’s going, ‘Oh, we can’t lose it.’ Look at the numbers. It’s about timing.”
Hearn’s Vision: Balancing Professionalism with Old-School Spirit
For Barry Hearn, this perfect storm of talent and timing was the spark that propelled darts into a different commercial league. While he might jest about demands for in-house chefs and venue food, his overarching message is clear: darts has fundamentally changed. The money is exponentially bigger, the spotlight is brighter, and the demands on modern players are evolving with it.
Yet, if Hearn has his way, the sport will always retain a healthy dose of its gritty, old-school charm and perspective, reminding everyone that at its core, it’s still about throwing darts, not fine dining.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
