Barry Hearn has revealed he is already targeting a new prize money milestone of £30 million, just a year after the PDC increased its annual prize fund to £8 million. Speaking to Online Darts, the Matchroom Sport chairman admitted that the sport's rapid growth has prompted him to consider another significant boost to the prize pot.
"Everything's governed by the level of prize money. I mean, we put the prize money up to £8 million a year last year," Hearn said. "And I thought, 'That'll do us for a little while.' And suddenly I'm thinking, 'We're going to have to go and have another look at prize money.' And you think, that's amazing."
Hearn reflected on the sport's remarkable financial journey, contrasting the current figures with the early days of the PDC. "When we started—I mean, I know it's historic now and things have changed—but when we started, there was £500,000 of prize money for the entire season, just spread over all the players. And I said, 'I want to get to £25 million.'" That target has been reached, and Hearn is now setting his sights even higher: "Ultimately, now I'm looking at £30 million very quickly. And it can go on."
The 74-year-old insisted that any increase would be fully justified by the sport's commercial success. "The great thing about it is, it's a justified increase. We're not giving people extra prize money just because they're nice people. We're doing it because the sport deserves it, because it makes money." He added: "We as operators must not be too greedy ourselves. You know, we've done a great job. The PDC has been one of the best businesses I've ever seen. But it's also achieved the goal of changing people's lives through sport. And that can't stop."
Hearn also highlighted darts' impressive prize money ratio compared to other sports. "The UFC has been a massive success around the world, particularly in America. They pay about 13 or 14 per cent of their turnover in prize funds. Snooker is about 30-odd per cent. Darts is over 35 per cent," he said. "Boxing in England, which is a disaster business, pays about 80 per cent, because you've got a market that's challenging you all the time to pay. We're trying to get it perfect. We'll never get it absolutely perfect."
Looking to the future, Hearn acknowledged that change is inevitable but stressed the importance of continuing to grow the sport. "Matchroom has been a hugely successful British company. But it's done so in parallel to making sure that the game is the real winner," he commented. "One day we won't. One day I won't be here. One day, who knows?" He concluded: "But now, from where we are now, we're still under the microscope to do the right thing. And the right thing is to continue to expand the horizons of existing players and inspire the next generation to say, 'I want some of that cake.' And we can just sit back and then watch the fun. Because there is still nothing like a night at the darts."