Barry Hearn hints darts could LEAVE Sky Sports as Matchroom chief reveals negotiations with rival broadcasters
BARRY HEARN has admitted that darts coverage could leave Sky Sports.
The broadcaster has long held an extensive range of darts rights, including for the World Darts Championship.
Hearn, 76, has a long-term relationship and affinity with Sky developed over many years.
But the Matchroom supremo has admitted that he will not let sentiment affect his business acumen when rights packages are next sold.
Speaking on The Barry Hearn Show, the veteran promoter was asked if loyalty “goes out the window” if Sky don’t offer enough money.
He replied: “Absolutely. Let’s be perfectly clear about it. My loyalty is to Sky because they were one of the reasons why my life changed, personally.
“Why darts, and sports like darts – boxing, pool, all the things I love…
“(But) There’s a price. There’s a price – if it’s close, loyalty beats everybody.”
Asked about the potential percentage increase he is looking for, Hearn added: “I’m not even going to tell you that because it’s massive, mate.
“I’m only limited as Sky are, as TNT, as Amazon, Netflix – we’re only limited by our own imagination and I have an enormous imagination, an enormous desire to make my little imprint on this sporting world by saying, you know it’s ego as well for me, ‘look what I’ve done’.
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“I love that. So while I like making money, and everyone knows that, I’m not going to try and hide behind anything.
“I love increasing prize money, because that’s what I’ll be judged for, one day, is what did you do?”
Darts has enjoyed a sensational rise in popularity over the last 12 months.
The sport has become a mainstream smash-hit, particularly since the rise of Luke Littler at last year’s World Darts Championship.
Following Littler’s stunning breakthrough year, Hearn called him the “perfect Christmas present”.
He told Sky Sports: “He was my Christmas present. I am so difficult to buy because I’m older, and I have got most of the things I want.
“And then someone gave me Luke Littler, and it is the ultimate Christmas present I could have had.
“Luke Humphries and him are going to just dominate these darts events.
“But be careful because there is half a dozen really top youngsters that are following in the footsteps of Littler.
“So he may not have it as easy as he thinks.”