Barry Hearn replaced by son Eddie as chairman of Matchroom

[Ruthless-RKO]

Barry Hearn replaced by son Eddie as chairman of Matchroom

Barry Hearn is stepping down as chairman of World Snooker and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), as well as the major sports promotion company he founded almost 40 years ago.


The 72-year-old is being replaced by boxing-promoter son Eddie as chairman of Matchroom Sport and the PDC.

Steve Dawson is to take over as head of World Snooker when the World Championship finishes in May.

"I know the company is in good hands," Hearn said.

"It has been a huge honour to have worked with some of the greatest sports people on the planet across the last 40 years and enjoyed so many wonderful experiences across our spectrum of events in that time."

Hearn, who is to stay on as president of the Matchroom Sport group in an advisory role, founded the promotions company in 1982 and was instrumental in turning snooker into one of the most keenly followed sports in Britain.

He then went on to promote some of Britain's biggest boxing events from the late 1980s, and expanded into a number of other sports including darts and golf.

In April 2020, he had surgery after suffering a heart attack but made a full recovery.

His 41-year-old son Eddie has led the company's boxing division for a number of years already and now, along with taking over as chairman of the Matchroom Sport group of companies, he heads up Matchroom Boxing, including its US arm, and golf's PGA EuroPro Tour.

[Ruthless-RKO]

What will this mean for matchroom BOXING?

Maybe no sudden changes, will Frank take more of a role?

[stujones]

As good and as passionate as Eddie is, it is sometimes refreshing to see the old man involved - so hope to see him doing the odd press conference also.

Even though he is young, Eddie has got to slow down at somepoint - I cannot imagine his life being sustainable - he's got to have time to enjoy the money he is earning - like Barry is now doing.

[Ruthless-RKO]

As good and as passionate as Eddie is, it is sometimes refreshing to see the old man involved - so hope to see him doing the odd press conference also.

Even though he is young, Eddie has got to slow down at somepoint - I cannot imagine his life being sustainable - he's got to have time to enjoy the money he is earning - like Barry is now doing.

Has Hearn got any kids? Surely, Eddie is what 40 now I think..

I'm sure he'll take a backseat sometime..

[coghaugen11]

All the travelling and mass of class A drug use will surely catch up with Fast Car soon.

[maverick23]

As good and as passionate as Eddie is, it is sometimes refreshing to see the old man involved - so hope to see him doing the odd press conference also.

Even though he is young, Eddie has got to slow down at somepoint - I cannot imagine his life being sustainable - he's got to have time to enjoy the money he is earning - like Barry is now doing.

Has Hearn got any kids? Surely, Eddie is what 40 now I think..

I'm sure he'll take a backseat sometime..

He’s got a couple of kids and seems busy enough already.

Snooker and Darts already have good senior teams so it’s not like Eddie will need to be going to loads of the events - just the big ones, negotiate some deals and shmooze some sponsors.

Frank Smith will need to step up more though as Eddie won’t be able to go to pretty much every show as he is now.

I’ve met Barry a couple of times and he’s always seemed like a really nice bloke.

[stujones]

Sounds like from the Presser, Eddie won't be involved in the Snooker side of things - perhaps that is a mistake as Snooker seems to be calling for a overhaul - still think Dart players are on cloud 9 with the money / fame they earn for thowing arrows.

[dbf]

As expected, Eddie has said as much recently. Frank Smith is already CEO of the boxing is likely to be taking more of a front an centre roll for that following AJ Fury. I think Eddie knows that he can go out with a bang with that fight and with a move to DAZN its a fresh ish start for the boxing and Frank Smith should have the energy and exuberance to be the new Hearn as more and more territories and shows are added.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sounds like from the Presser, Eddie won't be involved in the Snooker side of things - perhaps that is a mistake as Snooker seems to be calling for a overhaul - still think Dart players are on cloud 9 with the money / fame they earn for thowing arrows.

This was the recent Dec 20-Jan 21 breakdown.

From December 15, 2020 to January 3, 2021, the PDC World Darts Championship is next on the agenda. During this tournament, no less than £2,500,000 of prize money is set to be distributed.

The 96 players involved will receive a minimum of £7,500 in prize money. A win in the first round will increase this amount to £15,000. The top 32 seeded players who come in from the second round as a result are already assured of this amount.

Reaching the third round means £25,000 while it rises to £35,000 for making it to the Last 16. Quarter-Finalists will receive £50,000 while a place in the semi-finals will mean £100,000.

The losing finalist will receive £200,000 while the new World Champion is set for £500,000.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is easier.

Position (num. of players)

Prize Money
(Total: £2,500,000)

Winner (1) £500,000
Runner-up (1) £200,000
Semi-finalists (2) £100,000
Quarter-finalists (4) £50,000
Fourth round losers (8) £35,000
Third round losers (16) £25,000
Second round losers (32) £15,000
First round losers (32) £7,500

[stujones]

As expected, Eddie has said as much recently. Frank Smith is already CEO of the boxing is likely to be taking more of a front an centre roll for that following AJ Fury. I think Eddie knows that he can go out with a bang with that fight and with a move to DAZN its a fresh ish start for the boxing and Frank Smith should have the energy and exuberance to be the new Hearn as more and more territories and shows are added.

It will be VERY interesting if Eddie's personal relationship with Sky deteriorates with the expected DAZN move - still think its a mistake, could Darts be heading that way also - there isn't much Snooker on Sky anyway.

[stujones]

This is easier.

Position (num. of players)

Prize Money
(Total: £2,500,000)

Winner (1) £500,000
Runner-up (1) £200,000
Semi-finalists (2) £100,000
Quarter-finalists (4) £50,000
Fourth round losers (8) £35,000
Third round losers (16) £25,000
Second round losers (32) £15,000
First round losers (32) £7,500

That's amazing money - especially in the pandemic.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is easier.

Position (num. of players)

Prize Money
(Total: £2,500,000)

Winner (1) £500,000
Runner-up (1) £200,000
Semi-finalists (2) £100,000
Quarter-finalists (4) £50,000
Fourth round losers (8) £35,000
Third round losers (16) £25,000
Second round losers (32) £15,000
First round losers (32) £7,500

That's amazing money - especially in the pandemic.

All for throwing sticks.

People throw sticks for free in the pub.

[dbf]

As expected, Eddie has said as much recently. Frank Smith is already CEO of the boxing is likely to be taking more of a front an centre roll for that following AJ Fury. I think Eddie knows that he can go out with a bang with that fight and with a move to DAZN its a fresh ish start for the boxing and Frank Smith should have the energy and exuberance to be the new Hearn as more and more territories and shows are added.

It will be VERY interesting if Eddie's personal relationship with Sky deteriorates with the expected DAZN move - still think its a mistake, could Darts be heading that way also - there isn't much Snooker on Sky anyway.

He's hell bent on going global. Could be his undoing but I presume that means for all aspects of Matchroom portfolio.

Sky have made a few moves that suggest they aren't really in the boxing business just the Anthony Joshua and PPV business. Since Barney Francis left Adam Smith got demoted, boxing got swallowed up into a multi-sport directorate. If they lose Joshua I doubt boxing will be on their agenda.

[stujones]

As expected, Eddie has said as much recently. Frank Smith is already CEO of the boxing is likely to be taking more of a front an centre roll for that following AJ Fury. I think Eddie knows that he can go out with a bang with that fight and with a move to DAZN its a fresh ish start for the boxing and Frank Smith should have the energy and exuberance to be the new Hearn as more and more territories and shows are added.

It will be VERY interesting if Eddie's personal relationship with Sky deteriorates with the expected DAZN move - still think its a mistake, could Darts be heading that way also - there isn't much Snooker on Sky anyway.

He's hell bent on going global. Could be his undoing but I presume that means for all aspects of Matchroom portfolio.

Sky have made a few moves that suggest they aren't really in the boxing business just the Anthony Joshua and PPV business. Since Barney Francis left Adam Smith got demoted, boxing got swallowed up into a multi-sport directorate. If they lose Joshua I doubt boxing will be on their agenda.

Yes, but it seemed like DAZN UK was the final nail in the coffin - it wasn't that long ago that Sky were showing ALL matchroom shows, including from the states, Italy, Germany etc.

It seemed to be working well with DAZN USA showing the USA bill and Sky giving air time to Matchroom Global in the UK.

[Jimmy2020]

They have to try and go global so they can still generate the revenues they are used to. Brits and Yanks under 35 now aren't ever going to pay £20+ to watch boxing and £80 a month for Sky Sports and US equivalents.

These sports promoters are going to have to cast the net wide and get a few dollars a month from people all over the globe.

Interest in sport is declining fast. The build up hype gets more interest than the matches themselves.

[maverick23]

This is easier.

Position (num. of players)

Prize Money
(Total: £2,500,000)

Winner (1) £500,000
Runner-up (1) £200,000
Semi-finalists (2) £100,000
Quarter-finalists (4) £50,000
Fourth round losers (8) £35,000
Third round losers (16) £25,000
Second round losers (32) £15,000
First round losers (32) £7,500

That's amazing money - especially in the pandemic.

All for throwing sticks.

People throw sticks for free in the pub.

The darts gets crazy viewers for Sky - only PPVs get close and Sky would be creaming it from ad sales. The world championship is on for like 3 weeks - at least 7 hours of coverage for the majority of days. Sky will do all they can to keep it.

Snooker’s in a much better shape than it was when Barry took it over. The prize money is better, there are far more tournaments and they continue (until the pandemic) to grow into new territories.

[Noxy]

Careful what you’re saying, that may well cross a line.

[coghaugen11]

I’ve done away with Sky and TV altogether. Smart TV apps ie Netflix and streams for me. Maybe sport at bars if a good match or good fight when reopen. I’ve only followed suit from many others, soon nobody will watch TV and Sky and Virgin customers won’t renew.

[coghaugen11]

Careful what you’re saying, that may well cross a line.

A line or 30.

[KiwiRider]

What will this mean for matchroom BOXING?

Maybe no sudden changes, will Frank take more of a role?

It means Sam Egginton will get less exposure outside of the pool shed.

[margaret thatcher]

how will he make up for the lost photo opportunities at weigh ins if he's covering boxing less?

get his face on the dart board or snooker table?

[mickey1975]

What will this mean for matchroom BOXING?

Maybe no sudden changes, will Frank take more of a role?

It means Sam Egginton will get less exposure outside of the pool shed.

He’s with Meaty Mick.

[KiwiRider]

What will this mean for matchroom BOXING?

Maybe no sudden changes, will Frank take more of a role?

It means Sam Egginton will get less exposure outside of the pool shed.

He’s with Meaty Mick.

Oh, alright then.
I just recall an interview with Eddie where in response to a question about how well Sam earns and how often he gets his fights televised, Eddie said there is a special relationship between Sam and Bazza

[mickey1975]

It means Sam Egginton will get less exposure outside of the pool shed.

He’s with Meaty Mick.

Oh, alright then.
I just recall an interview with Eddie where in response to a question about how well Sam earns and how often he gets his fights televised, Eddie said there is a special relationship between Sam and Bazza

I saw it. Hype... got rid after two losses!