Luke Littler's 'Biggest Deal in Darts History' Thrown Into Doubt by PDC Legend
Luke Littler's deal with Target Darts has been exposed by a former player.
A PDC legend has raised doubts over Luke Littler's groundbreaking darts deal.
A stunning announcement was made in the wake of Littler's World Darts Championship triumph.
After winning back-to-back world titles, the 18-year-old signed the 'biggest deal in darts history' with Target Darts.
They wrote: "It’s official: we’ve signed the biggest deal in darts history with Luke Littler. Together with the back-to-back World Champ and World Number 1, we’re redefining what’s possible in darts, and we are only just getting started."
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It is believed to be a lucrative, multi-year contract, which will be based on potential earnings and bonuses, as well as a percentage of sales of products and equipment.
But Vincent van der Voort, who won four PDC Pro Tour titles and was the runner-up at the 2007 UK Open, has dismissed the announcement, saying he doesn't believe any of it.
"That’s not true either, I don’t believe any of it," he said on Darts Draait Door podcast.
On the deal supposedly worth over £20 million across 10 years, Van der Voort added: "Nice numbers, sure. I don’t think that’s achievable by selling darts gear. That’s not possible."
Target Darts sponsor Littler as they supply darts for him and earn from every set sold in a lucrative deal given his popularity in the sport.
Van der Voort believes it can never amount to that much per year, explaining: "His gear is obviously in demand, the darts are expensive and Littler gets a good percentage, but for ten years.
"In any case, it’s not all guaranteed. He has a contract and will certainly get half a million pounds a year from that, but the other 1.5 million pounds is through royalties.
"From a business standpoint, you simply can’t say you’re guaranteeing two million pounds a year to Littler for ten straight years."
The Dutchman also shared his thoughts on how Littler's contract could look like following the announcement.
"His contract will say he has to be in the world’s top eight, play the Premier League, and even hold a Tour Card," he said. "Something could happen to him, you know. Let’s hope not, but of course it can. The world is full of crazy things."
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler
Nasir Jabbar