With no what I call “proper” sponsor as don’t count a darts manufacturer as no evidence they are giving them serious cash I can see why the prize funds must be in danger. The BDO can’t afford to top them up forever.
It does though make it uneconomic for Australian, North American, Asian players to come over. Makes much more sense for them to try the PDC WC qualifier as doesn’t their WC pay something like £10k to the preliminary round losers.
The BDO need to seriously cut their cloth to the economics of where they are with no cash rich sponsors like the bookies the PDC get. The £100k to the Men’s WC must be completely unaffordable. Surely it should be more than £25k and other players and rounds scaled down from there.
All this means the BDO becomes a U.K. and Europe tour as others can’t afford it from potential prize money unless they base here or have a very wealthy sponsor.