It is the game (sport?) that has taken Europe by storm. Darts events are played out in front of packed audiences, often there in fancy dress, with cheerleaders, dancing, music, funny songs and more.
However, while darts has enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity, prestige and money in Europe and other places such as South Africa, it has yet to really take off in the United States. The common line trotted out when people talk about growing the game in the US is that “Darts won’t work with American viewers”. But, promoters think that isn’t true and that there is huge untapped potential for darts to grow in the American market.
One promoter, in particular, has been crucial in growing the game in the UK and elsewhere. Eddie Hearn, a British promoter who also promotes huge boxing events, has spent considerable time pitching his vision of how darts could look in the US to draw in massive audiences. However, he is often dismissed by execs with a shrug of the shoulders.
Hearn remains firmly of the belief that now is the perfect time to explore the possibilities of having PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) events to US cities. Names like Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright, ‘Mighty’ Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn ‘The Iceman’ Price may not roll of the tongue for US bettors yet, but Hearn feels that can change. Hearn runs the Matchroom promotional company and has worked closely with Canelo Alvarez and also promotes Anthony Joshua. He has some clout in the US and has said the PDC events rank only second behind the Premier League in terms of U.K T.V ratings.
From a Pub Game to Huge Arenas
Hearn is following in the promotional footsteps of his father, Barry, who sensed an opportunity 20 years ago to expand what was a simple pub game often played by overweight, beer-swilling men into something far bigger. That vision has become a reality as the major events are now played out in huge arenas with walk-in music, professional commentary and astonishing skill on the oche.
The better players then became household names in their own right and took on a persona. Hearn has hopes that the attraction of becoming well known (and well paid) will encourage some US players to really dedicate some time to the game and earn their place on the PDC Tour.
Another reason to explore darts in the US is that legal sports betting has grown across the country. Darts provides another option for bettors.
Betting on Darts
Most of the major American operators have stated that darts competitions abroad have not really appealed to bettors as yet. However, they have said with competitions now being held in the US, that could change.
Hearn believes the betting potential for darts in America is off the scale. He is hoping to translate the same approach taken in the U.K, where hotel ballrooms are filled with dartboards and the best players in the world flock to compete in round-robin tournaments.
