"We're trying to build a professional sport and we can't do that around part-time players" - Porter defends switch of Players Championship events to midweek in 2024
PDC
The PDC recently released their calendar for 2024 and a notable change to be seen, was the switch of Players Championship events to midweek
"It's something we've been moving towards for the last few years and something we've not made any secret about," The PDC's Matt Porter tells Online Darts about the midweek switch. "We feel that it's advantageous to players, in respect of giving them more opportunities at weekends to either go and do something else or spend time with the family or have time off. Generally, if you're a professional dart player, you're probably not doing a huge amount during the week because the tournaments are at weekends. So it will probably make your personal calendar a little bit easier."
Kim Huybrechts has recently revealed that midweek Players Championship events actually make life more difficult for him but as Porter admits, like with any big decision, there's no pleasing everyone.
"I'm sure some people will be watching this thinking; No it won't be easier for me or whatever, but you can't have 128 different opinions," Porter explains. "It will give us the opportunity in time to fill out the weekends with more tournaments. If we decide to expand the European tour or the World Series or bring in another TV event."
"It will give us the opportunity to do that, whereas previously with Players Championship events taking up weekends we couldn't go head-to-head with those with TV events. We don't want to ask players to pick and choose which event," concludes Porter. "It won't suit everybody. If you've got another job outside darts, you'll have to plan a bit differently but ultimately again, we're trying to build a professional sport and we can't do that around part-time players."
It would be interesting to know how much out of the pool of money goes to paying the management and organisation of the PDC. As well as Porter there’s the Hearns and the other board members, tournament organisers, pen pushers, referees, scorers, etc. I would bet the the largest percentage of the sponsorship pool money is going on the non playing side so that effectively the players are getting the lowest amount of the available funds.
The arrogance of the man is breathtaking, Has it not occurred to him and the PDC that , just like in REAL life , quite a lot of players cannot exist just playing darts!! They have to work to earn enough to live. That is WHY some have objected to moving the championships to midweek!He is right thought you cannot have 128 oppinions , just Mark Porters !! And there you have it! The real reason is money and the opputunity to expand certain series. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with allowing players time at home( on non tournament weekends) to be with their families! Lastly , the top playes already pick and choose when they will turn up for certain competitions, Does he not think that THEY still will.because THEY can. Yet again , protecting the elite , not the game!!
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