"This is a privilege that I will cherish forever" - Barry Hearn receives prestigious award as reward for impressive career

Monday, Sept. 22, became a day that Barry Hearn, the iconic sports promoter and former chairman of the PDC, will not soon forget. At the historic Guildhall, he received the prestigious Freedom of the City of London, an honor that dates back to the 13th century and is rarely awarded. For Hearn, who for decades was a defining force behind the growth of darts and many other sports, this is the ultimate recognition of his life's work. At 77, by the way, he is still involved in organizing major tournaments.

He shared the stage with former professional boxer Michael Watson, another sports hero with an impressive career as well as admirable resilience after his tragic accident in the ring. Together they were honored in the heart of London for their contribution to British sport and their commitment to charity.

Hearn, who attended the ceremony in the company of family, friends and colleagues, expressed his gratitude: "I'm absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of London," said Hearn. "London is a place that holds so much history, tradition, and personal meaning for me, so I am incredibly proud and it's a privilege that I'll cherish forever."

It is a rare emotional tone from the man usually known as a down-to-earth businessman. Yet it is understandable: the list of people who received this award includes such luminaries as Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Lenny Henry and Simon Armitage.

Barry Hearn's story reads like a sports marketing handbook. After training as a chartered accountant, he started out in finance, but his entrepreneurial spirit soon led him in a different direction. In the 1970s, he became president of Lucania Snooker Clubs, where he began organizing amateur tournaments, laying the foundation for his later career.

In 1982, he sold the company and founded Matchroom Sports, initially to mentor snooker talents and produce television events. It proved to be the beginning of a sports empire that would continue to expand. In the late 1980s Hearn stepped into the boxing world and in the 1990s he gave niche sports such as pool, golf and later darts unprecedented exposure.

The turning point for darts came in 2001, when Hearn became president of the Professional Darts Corporation. Whereas until then the sport was often seen as a pub entertainment without much prestige, he transformed it into a worldwide phenomenon.

Under Hearn's leadership, the PDC grew explosively:

Hearn's vision was simple but effective: turn darts into entertainment. Combine sports with show elements, keep audiences entertained and give players a platform to become personalities. The result is visible today in sold-out arenas worldwide and millions of viewers on Sky Sports and DAZN.

After nearly 40 years at the helm of Matchroom and 20 years as chairman of the PDC, Hearn decided to step down in 2021. He remained involved as Group President, focusing on strategy and international growth, but left day-to-day management to his son, Eddie Hearn.

In 2020 he was already awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to sport. The award of the Freedom of the City of London now represents another crowning achievement of a career that can hardly be matched.

In addition to his business successes, Hearn is also socially active. Through the Matchroom Charitable Foundation, millions of pounds have been donated in recent years to sports projects, community initiatives and hospices for children and adults.

That balance between commerce and social responsibility makes his influence all the greater. Not only did he change the perception of sports, but he also left a tangible legacy for society.

The ceremony at the century-old Guildhall was more than a formal gathering. Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, emphasized the impact of both recipients:

"Over the course of a stellar career, Barry Hearn has proved that he's got the Midas touch when it comes to sport promotion and I am very happy to support his Freedom nomination which, I feel sure, has genuinely touched him."

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, also concurred: "It is a particular joy to welcome these two sporting legends to Guildhall on the same day, and for them to be admitted into the Freedom.

"I am very happy to offer my warmest congratulations to Barry and Michael on this special day, and thank them for their unique and valuable contributions to UK sport."

The Freedom of the City of London is one of the country's oldest traditions, originating in 1237. Originally, it enabled recipients to practice their profession within the city. Today, the award is given primarily in recognition of special contributions to London or the wider community.

The list of recent recipients shows how selective the choice is: from choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne to six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Lady Sarra Hoy, to poet laureate Simon Armitage and comedian Sir Lenny Henry. With the addition of Barry Hearn, the world of darts is now emphatically represented in this illustrious company.

For Barry Hearn, the award is not an endpoint, but rather a symbolic affirmation of a life's work that continues. His influence continues to be felt in the world of sports, from the international expansion of darts to his continued support of community initiatives.

What began in snooker halls in the 1970s grew into a sports empire that has entertained millions of fans and made countless careers possible. This makes the Freedom of the City of London not only a personal honor, but also a recognition of the lasting impact Hearn has had on both sport and society.