Barry Hearn steps down as PDC Chairman with immediate effect

Barry Hearn has stepped down as chairman of Matchroom Sport including his role with the PDC and retired with immediate effect after being at the forefront of sport for 40 years.

Hearn has led the transformation of the game with increased prize money including at the World Championship with the prize fund growing to £2,500,000 from £125,000 back in 2001.

As well as growing the stature for both the sport and its players with the likes of Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson becoming household names.

This led to him being honoured in January this year with an OBE for services to sport with huge success not only in darts but also snooker, boxing, pool and ten pin bowling among others which have made Matchroom a sporting powerhouse.

His son, Eddie Hearn who has made his name at the forefront in boxing as one of the top promoters in the world will continue to run this side of the business but will also take over the reigns at not only Matchroom Sport but also the PDC, Matchroom Media and the PGA EuroPro Tour.

Matt Porter who is currently Chief Executive of the PDC will become Chairman of Matchroom Multi Sport but will remain in control of the darting side of the company.

"It has been a huge honour to have worked with some of the greatest sports people on the planet across the last 40 years and enjoyed so many wonderful experiences across our spectrum of events in that time, from snooker's glory days of the 1980s to record-breaking boxing shows and the incredible growth of professional darts, as we have created opportunities for thousands of sportsmen and women during that time," said Hearn on his retirement.

Also on the darting side, he has led the sport through the Coronavirus pandemic as one of the leading sports to continue playing and providing for the players.

"Great challenges have been met, but none more so than the Covid pandemic. I have been determined to stay in charge until this disaster passed and now there is light at the end of the tunnel and I believe it is the right time to pass control of Matchroom to my son Eddie and the brilliant teams we have assembled across all our activities.

"I shall continue to be available to all Matchroom companies as non-executive President, an advisory role concentrating on group strategy and global expansion, but Eddie will be elevated to Group Chairman with overall responsibility for the entire group.

“I could not be prouder of the Matchroom Group of Companies and the outstanding teams that operate in a highly competitive marketplace," he continued.

“Matchroom has grown from two employees operating in an office under a snooker hall in Romford in 1982, to the global powerhouse it is today due to the efforts and performances of all our staff, contractors, broadcasters, and partners.

“Now is the time to give all Matchroom employees the opportunity to take this great British company to the next level and beyond.”

Son Eddie on taking over Matchroom reigns

As alluded to, boxing supremo Eddie will take over at Matchroom including the PDC and he is looking forward to continuing its growth.

“Anyone that knows me is well aware of what Matchroom means to me and our family. It has a legacy that spans 40 years from a small office under a snooker hall in Romford to a global powerhouse of sports entertainment," he said.

“My father has dedicated his life to the company and since I joined in 2004 I have done the same. Now a greater responsibility falls on my shoulders and I am very proud to continue his great work and lead the business and the incredible team that we have built at Matchroom.

"We have seen astounding growth in the last ten years but we have only just begun. I look forward to continuously evolving and continuing the global growth of this astonishing family business.”