Barry Hearn retires

[deathrides]

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.

[deathrides]

https://www.pdc.tv/news/2021/04/20/barr ... p-chairman

[Bag Carrier]

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.

[ChrisW]

Matt Porter will be effectively in charge of darts I would imagine.

[Skewball]

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.

[1205]

Matt Porter will be effectively in charge of darts I would imagine.

Exactly. No change.

[Dannyboy]

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.

[Little Lonely Garry]

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

[Rout]

^^^^ Living in his head rent free.

[oche balboa]

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

[devosteve]

i thought he looked a little frail last night at the snooker. Stepped down at the right time.

[Bomber]

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'

[Deleted User]

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

He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.

[Sprocket01]

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

He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.

Where to start with this...

[TimmyB]

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

He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.

Where to start with this...

Peeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttter please can I come back to the marking scheme? I'll let you be best man at my wedding.

[ILAD]

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

He'll cry about Eddie or Matt Porter instead. Let's face it, he's never going to stop.

Where to start with this...

Peeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttter please can I come back to the marking scheme? I'll let you be best man at my wedding.

[Case]

Rough goings there Dave.

[Deleted User]

Rough goings there Dave.

Sprocket 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.

[ILAD]

Rough goings there Dave.

Sprocket 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.

Do you chase anyone Dave?

Edited by Admin

[Rout]

Rough goings there Dave.

Sprocket 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.

The Rush Limbaugh effect.