Barry Hearn steps down as Matchroom Sport boss after almost 40 years
The announcement he will move away from day-to-day operational duties comes more than a year after he suffered a “mild heart attack” and underwent emergency surgery to insert two stents. It is also just six months since he was struck down with Covid.
Hearn, a chartered accountant, established Matchroom Sport in April 1982 and the organisation globally promotes darts, snooker, boxing, fishing, pool, tenpin bowling and golf.
Son Eddie, 41, will take over the running of the company as its new chairman – which includes responsibility for PDC darts and PGA EuroPro golf – but he will retain his influential and powerful role as the head of boxing.
Hearn’s daughter Katie will remain in charge of the recently-launched Matchroom Media.
Steve Dawson, CEO of World Snooker Limited, will take over running of snooker after the conclusion of the 2021 Betfred World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
Hearn will now become group president in an advisory role and he 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.
“I’ve enjoyed so many wonderful experiences across our spectrum of events in that time, from snooker’s glory days of the 1980s to record-breaking boxing shows and the incredible growth of professional darts. We have created opportunities for thousands of sportsmen and women during that time.
“I’d been determined to stay in charge until this Covid disaster passed. Now there is light at the end of the tunnel, I believe it’s the right time to pass control of Matchroom to my son Eddie and the brilliant teams we’ve assembled across all our activities.
Barry Hearn retires
-
- Steady Sixties
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:49 pm
Barry Hearn retires
-
- Steady Sixties
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:49 pm
-
- County Player
- Posts: 4175
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:43 pm
- Location: Im always in your head
Re: Barry Hearn retires
Sad day for darts as I believe he has a real passion for it. Let's hope Eddie does, But have a feeling Boxing will be his one he wants to promote and grow more.
JFT97
Re: Barry Hearn retires
Matt Porter will be effectively in charge of darts I would imagine.
Re: Barry Hearn retires
The end of an era. Quite astounding what he did in Darts and Snooker, especially the latter given it only had 5 or 6 events a year when he took over.
Re: Barry Hearn retires
What a guy. The guy is a legend of UK sport bar none.
I did watch a video on the World Snooker website earlier - he looks tired (is he suffering from long Covid?); obviously the recent heart attack probably made the decision for him too.
I did watch a video on the World Snooker website earlier - he looks tired (is he suffering from long Covid?); obviously the recent heart attack probably made the decision for him too.
-
- International
- Posts: 11844
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:56 pm
Re: Barry Hearn retires
I feel sorry for rout who now wont be able to cry non stop about barry hearn, and will be forced to come up with some new material
i am so sorry for my actions these last ten years, i'm going through a tough time
-
- International
- Posts: 18554
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:10 pm
Re: Barry Hearn retires
Garry Murphy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:52 pm I feel sorry for rout who now wont be able to cry non stop about barry hearn, and will be forced to come up with some new material
TSOD World Grand Prix Prediction winner 2017.
"Who gives a shit" - Borespark about every Darts event since 2021
"Who gives a shit" - Borespark about every Darts event since 2021
Re: Barry Hearn retires
i thought he looked a little frail last night at the snooker. Stepped down at the right time.
Hot Potatoes: the very best of Devo.
Re: Barry Hearn retires
he plays over-70s cricket, he's probably fitter than a lot of dart players half his age
he may be retiring but he'll still be pulling strings and 'making suggestions'
he may be retiring but he'll still be pulling strings and 'making suggestions'
Re: Barry Hearn retires
He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.Garry Murphy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:52 pm I feel sorry for rout who now wont be able to cry non stop about barry hearn, and will be forced to come up with some new material
- Sprocket01
- Pub Champion
- Posts: 695
- Joined: Sat May 01, 2021 11:40 pm
Re: Barry Hearn retires
Where to start with this...DavidOwen67 wrote:He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.Garry Murphy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:52 pm I feel sorry for rout who now wont be able to cry non stop about barry hearn, and will be forced to come up with some new material
Re: Barry Hearn retires
Peeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttter please can I come back to the marking scheme? I'll let you be best man at my wedding.Sprocket01 wrote:Where to start with this...DavidOwen67 wrote:He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.Garry Murphy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:52 pm I feel sorry for rout who now wont be able to cry non stop about barry hearn, and will be forced to come up with some new material
Re: Barry Hearn retires
TimmyB wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 6:46 pmPeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttter please can I come back to the marking scheme? I'll let you be best man at my wedding.Sprocket01 wrote:Where to start with this...DavidOwen67 wrote:He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.Garry Murphy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 8:52 pm I feel sorry for rout who now wont be able to cry non stop about barry hearn, and will be forced to come up with some new material
Des Jacklin: ‘People say the BDO can’t compete with the PDC, but that is the biggest load of crap in the world’
God rest Alf Garnett and Prince Phil.
I used to love cycling but unfortunately I know a man who doesn’t like cyclists.
God rest Alf Garnett and Prince Phil.
I used to love cycling but unfortunately I know a man who doesn’t like cyclists.
Re: Barry Hearn retires
Rough goings there Dave.
Re: Barry Hearn retires
Do you chase anyone Dave?DavidOwen67 wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 8:53 pmSprocket has begged Nikkiboy to let him come back so he can chase people again.
Others elsewhere are running a book on how long he will last before being banned.
The smart money is all on 14 days or fewer.
Edited by Admin
Last edited by ssjsa on Tue May 04, 2021 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Your blatent disregard of requests to desist this type of posting is becoming rather tiresome.
Reason: Your blatent disregard of requests to desist this type of posting is becoming rather tiresome.
Des Jacklin: ‘People say the BDO can’t compete with the PDC, but that is the biggest load of crap in the world’
God rest Alf Garnett and Prince Phil.
I used to love cycling but unfortunately I know a man who doesn’t like cyclists.
God rest Alf Garnett and Prince Phil.
I used to love cycling but unfortunately I know a man who doesn’t like cyclists.