EXCLUSIVE
Barry Hearn believes Luke Littler could generate huge revenue from darts for years to come.
Littler has made a remarkable rise to the pinnacle of the sport of darts, with his breakout performance in the 2024 World Darts Championship seeing him narrowly lose out to Luke Humphries in the final.
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'The Nuke' has continued his sensational form since the start of the calendar year, and last night picked up his fourth nightly win in the Aberdeen leg of the Premier League, to clinch his place in the play-offs.
Ex-PDC Chairman Hearn, who gave up the post in 2021, has been left astonished by the 17-year-old's charisma and skill, but has urged him to change nothing.
He told talkSPORT.com: "I've managed thousands of sportspeople, but this kid we've all known that this young man is a phenomenon.
"No-one could have predicted that he could have come on to the professional stage and dismantled all of these seasoned professionals.
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"Fortunately in my view he was runner up as it gave him extra maturity from knowing he can't just beat everybody, although he is making a good fist of that at the moment.
"What impresses me more about his skill, it is phenomenal, and as a person he is so mature as a 17-year-old.
"I think he is just having fun up there, and someone who is having fun is dangerous in this sport.
"He is being sensible with his commitments, his mindset is I want to make millions from darts and he will.
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"I wouldn't give him too much advice, but just keep having fun."
Littler earned a mega £200,000 from his exploits at the sport's mecca Alexandra Palace alone, and is reportedly earning £5,000 a day in prize money during 2024.
Darts legend Peter Wright left bewildered by Luke Littler's unusual pre-match routine which is very different to some of the older players
The World finalist earned a PDC Tour card for his performance, and the records have continued tumbling as he has began the year by picking up the Bahrain Masters, Belgian Open and Austrian open titles.
Littler has revolutionised the sport of darts, with his tungsten magic and confident personality helping bring a new hoarde of fans to the PDC platform.
His spontaneous finishes and board management have left fans purring in excitement, seeing him compared to darting icon Michael Van Gerwen.
The teenager has brushed shoulders with some of his idols including mentor Phil Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld, whom he beat in the round of 16 at Alexandra Palace in December last year.
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In recent weeks, his antics on stage have also caught the eye, including gesturing to Liverpool fans during his night win last month.
He also silenced the crowd in Scotland as he rallied to his latest Premier League victory on May 2, dispatching of Nathan Aspinall, Michael Smith and Rob Cross in another dazzling display.
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Littler could leave an unmatched legacy in the sport if his success story continues, but the hype around big-name players has been known to take effect in the past.
His hectic schedule is being well managed with an opportunity to cement darting dominance for decades to come.