Barry Hearn sends 'no favours' message as PDC looks to help women's darts grow
dailystar.co.ukdarts players as the PDC looks to grow the game on the back of the first-ever Women’s World Matchplay.In a ground-breaking first, eight of the best female players in the world played for the Matchplay trophy on the same day as the main final between Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The tournament, which was broadcast by Sky Sports, shone a light on the women’s game, although it remains the PDC’s priority is to have predominantly integrated tournaments.PDC president Hearn was happy with aspects of the Women’s Matchplay, but wants to see more players enter the Women’s Series, which will be expanded to 24 events next year and have a prize fund of £145,000. READ MORE: Darts drama as player is disqualified after throwing a dart into the scorer’s leg “We’ll be governed, as we always are, by the financials and the viewing figures, the ratings, the ticket sales,” Hearn told Online Darts TV as he discussed the progress of women’s darts.“The Matchplay ticked some boxes, ticked it quite strongly in some cases.
But now it’s up to the women, now show what you can do.“How many are going to play in the Women’s Series next year? It needs to be significantly up to justify the investment, it’s as simple as that.
It’s nothing to do with women, it’s nothing to do with men, it’s on a case by case, meritocracy basis.”Who is the best female players in the game?
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