5 reasons why the Premier League should be classed a major.

[devosteve]

A lot of people question if the PL should be seen as a major: some do, others see it as a 'glorified exbo' - this term used by some to make out the PL is not a 'real' event. Here's my reasons why it should be considered a major, hope i've got my facts right (in a sense the 1st reason is enough in itself but it makes a weak argument i think - points 2-4 are where i am really coming from):

1. The PDC have declared it to be a major. isn't it their right to decide which PDC events come under this name?

2. It has the LARGEST attendence figures for any event including the WC. Forget the 'quality' of fans, the packed out venues with record crowds must play a part in how we value an event?

3. It has one of the HIGHEST payouts in prize money (2nd after the worlds?). The amount of payout does indicate how an event is ranked, that's why both WC's have the highest rewards.

4. It has the MOST evenings on TV (if not 1st then just beaten by Ally Pally?). 15 sessions live on the tele must count for something? great viewing figures as well.

5. Lastly: it is the most DIFFICULT event to qualify for. Everyone talks about the wild cards, how unfair it can be, rewarding popular players over the best players but this aspect can obscure the fact that only 8 players can get into it. In fact to qualify outright you have to be in the top 4! What other event do you have to be a top 4 player to get into it? Everyone says how hard to qualify for Blackpool but isn't that the top 32. The wildcards distract us from the fact that the PL is the toughest one to qualify for: this alone must make it worthy to be called a major? Painter and Hamilton have qualified for many events but have just got the Pl: ask them how difficult it has been to get into the PL, compared to other events?

Love it, loathe it or just ignore it but i think the PL is definitely a major within PDC darts. Cheers.

[Ginge]

Two reason why it shouldn't:

1 - its an invitational event
2 - It isnt ranked.

[Stubby]

So what about the US Masters in Golf?

Major or not? After all it is an Invitational event??

Personally I don't think the PL should be a major but it does need the respect because of the coverage and money involved.

[Justin Credible]

Two reason why it shouldn't:

1 - its an invitational event
2 - It isnt ranked.

The money dont show on the order of merit and rightfully so, and what type of major would it be where a player like taylor who dominates for 14 weeks could lose because of one single game.
Its an glorified exbo, a bloody damn good one with large crowd, great money etc....but an exbo nonetheless

[devosteve]

Ginge: invitational for 4 of the players. Top 4 ranking only, gets you in. The most difficult one to get into automatically wouldn't you say?
Ranking point: can see the thought behind this, and is a strong case for those who hold your view, but they can't give it ranking points because of the wild cards.

[Ginge]

Ginge: invitational for 4 of the players. Top 4 ranking only, gets you in. The most difficult one to get into automatically wouldn't you say?
Ranking point: can see the thought behind this, and is a strong case for those who hold your view, but they can't give it ranking points because of the wild cards.

The BDO gave the Zuiderduin ranking points for years

[devosteve]

Two reason why it shouldn't:

1 - its an invitational event
2 - It isnt ranked.

The money dont show on the order of merit and rightfully so, and what type of major would it be where a player like taylor who dominates for 14 weeks could lose because of one single game.
Its an glorified exbo, a bloody damn good one with large crowd, great money etc....but an exbo nonetheless

glorified exbo? Don't see any trick shots, finishing on double 10 twice when going for 40 checkout etc. There is no way i believe that painter and hamilton (and the other 6) feel they have just played in 15 weeks of 'glorified exhibition'. I hear players relax at Exbo's but on the last night of the Pl the nerves were running high!

[Zeyes]

Can we just settle on calling the PL a "major" as in "major title", but not a "Major"? Hopefully that's going to satisfy both sides of this absurd holy war.

[devosteve]

It's not a war anymore Zeyes because my '5 points' have 'won' the day for the Pl being a "Major". The battle is over, the PL has now got it's rightfull place on this forum!!

[GtotheF]

99% of PDC darters would give their right arms to play the Premier League.

Makes it pretty major in my eyes - looks pretty good on anyones CV.

[Ginge]

99% of PDC darters would give their right arms to play the Premier League.

Makes it pretty major in my eyes - looks pretty good on anyones CV.

100% of golfers would give their right arm to win TPC at Sawgrass - doesnt make it a "major" though.

[Justin Credible]

Two reason why it shouldn't:

1 - its an invitational event
2 - It isnt ranked.

The money dont show on the order of merit and rightfully so, and what type of major would it be where a player like taylor who dominates for 14 weeks could lose because of one single game.
Its an glorified exbo, a bloody damn good one with large crowd, great money etc....but an exbo nonetheless

glorified exbo? Don't see any trick shots, finishing on double 10 twice when going for 40 checkout etc. There is no way i believe that painter and hamilton (and the other 6) feel they have just played in 15 weeks of 'glorified exhibition'. I hear players relax at Exbo's but on the last night of the Pl the nerves were running high!

what type of major would exclude the number 5 player in the world in favor of a player lower in the rankings ? or settle for the #11 player over # 10.

[phil mitchell]

Is the premier legue an grand exbo or a true contest.?
Can you call it a major or not ?
Dose it matter, because at the end of the day it is probably the biggest and best darts event on the planet. Its putting televised live darts into peoples living rooms and that can only be a good thing for the game. People are starting to drop the image of the fag smoking, beer swigging, fat blokes chucking darts. Do you think that Phil Taylor would have got into the sports personalty of the year top two if it wasn,t for the growing interest of darts helped by premier league.

call it a major if you want, call it Betty for all i care. Long may it run.

[ankers]

im not really borthered if its a major or not....i still think its and expo...but more in terms of what the top 6 or so in the pdc have to offer!

do we all like to watch darts on tv?! i think the answer would be yes so y argue over if its a major or not?!?!?!

[GtotheF]

99% of PDC darters would give their right arms to play the Premier League.

Makes it pretty major in my eyes - looks pretty good on anyones CV.

100% of golfers would give their right arm to win TPC at Sawgrass - doesnt make it a "major" though.

Ah yes, the TPC at Sawgrass, often called the 'Fifth Major'.

[Ginge]

99% of PDC darters would give their right arms to play the Premier League.

Makes it pretty major in my eyes - looks pretty good on anyones CV.

100% of golfers would give their right arm to win TPC at Sawgrass - doesnt make it a "major" though.

Ah yes, the TPC at Sawgrass, often called the 'Fifth Major'.

But at the same time isnt one.

[GtotheF]

99% of PDC darters would give their right arms to play the Premier League.

Makes it pretty major in my eyes - looks pretty good on anyones CV.

100% of golfers would give their right arm to win TPC at Sawgrass - doesnt make it a "major" though.

Ah yes, the TPC at Sawgrass, often called the 'Fifth Major'.

But at the same time isnt one.

Why are you comparing sultanas with kiwi fruit anyway?

[devosteve]

im not really borthered if its a major or not....i still think its and expo...but more in terms of what the top 6 or so in the pdc have to offer!

do we all like to watch darts on tv?! i think the answer would be yes so y argue over if its a major or not?!?!?!

Might not be that important to us but it is important to the players what is or isn't a major. See how Wade has made out he has won 7 major titles rather than 6 that the PDC say he has (or is it 8/7?). With most things connected to darts these issues are not vital but the forum would be a bit dull without these less interesting topics.

In fact now have reason 6: because the top PDC players see it as a 'Major' that they can add to their cv.

[ankers]

i can give you fair play on the above!!

[Rudy]

The PL could have been a real league with a major title win for the No. 1 after 14 weeks, were it not for these ridiculous play offs where No. 4 will probably again win the whole darn thing.