Barry Hearn urges Sky Sports to ‘raise the ante’ over darts contract negotiations

Barry Hearn has urged Sky Sports to “raise the ante” or risk losing their right to air PDC darts when their broadcasting deal expires.

The broadcaster’s current contract with the PDC expires in 2025 and negotiations are ongoing over a potential long-term renewal.

Sky Sports have screened a number of the sport’s most prestigious major tournaments since 1993, including the World Championship, World Matchplay and more recently – Premier League Darts.

Sky penned a seven-year contract extension with the PDC in 2017 and currently show more than 60 days of darts each year, culminating in the World Championship at Alexandra Palace in December and January.

However, with the current deal coming to an end, Matchroom Sport president and former PDC Chairman Hearn insists the broadcaster must reflect the sport’s growing value in its negotiations or risk losing the rights to other interested parties.

Speaking on his podcast ‘The Barry Hearn Show’, Hearn said: “Listen, we owe Sky a massive, massive debt. They stuck with us in the early days, and loyalty is a big part of our business. But, also, I have a responsibility to players to maximise their earnings.

“There’s going to be some interesting conversations.

“I really, I’ve got to tell you now, I really hope Sky raise the ante, understand what they’ve built. Understand what it’s worth.

“Compare us to anyone else, I don’t mind. Show me what you pay rugby union, rugby league. Show me what you pay golf, and tell me why I don’t get the same or more.”

When asked if he categorically knew darts did not receive the same money as other sports, Hearn replied: “Do bears sh*t in the woods?

“It’s my job, it’s a passion, and I’m building something that is, in my own way, my own legacy for when I’m not around.

“I would like the darts player in 50 years’ time to raise a glass to me. Is that big-headed? I don’t really care if it is because I know I’m doing a good job.

“Everybody’s got to do well out of this deal, it has got to work for everyone, and I hope it’s Sky because they deserve to keep it because of the work they put on.

“But, respect. Just give us respect and we’ll be fine. We’ll be fine and we’ll deliver value on a global scale you’ve not seen before.

“It’s going to be hilarious, all those snobs that were out there looking down their nose at darts – look at them now, they’re the ones phoning me up begging for a ticket because they can’t get in anywhere, and I love it.”

Earlier this week, it was announced that ITV have penned a one-year contract extension with Matchroom to televise PDC darts free-to-air.

Hearn stepped aside from his role as PDC Chairman in 2021, handing the reins to his son Eddie, but retains an active interest in the sport and its commercial activity.

The 76-year-old is fiercely optimistic over the future of the sport, revealing interest from Saudi Arabia and South East Asia, and believes darts can become as big as golf.

He offered: “Where will darts be in ten years’ time? I’ll tell you where, it’ll be as big as golf around the world.

“Golf audiences on TV are tiny, tennis audiences on TV are tiny, darts – massive.

“Sooner or later the payday comes along and these guys are not going to be millionaires, they’re going to be multi-millionaires.”