Darts in Turmoil as Eddie Hearn’s Explosive Praise for Luke Littler Triggers Player Revolt
The darts world was thrown into chaos last night after Eddie Hearn, chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation, delivered a thunderous public endorsement of teenage sensation Luke Littler, calling him “the future, the face, and the undisputed king of modern darts.”
The remarks, made during a high-profile press conference ahead of a major televised event, reportedly stunned veteran players who felt sidelined by the glowing declaration. Sources inside the organization claim the statement ignited heated exchanges behind closed doors, with several top competitors accusing leadership of favoritism.
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen was among those said to be furious, with insiders alleging he threatened to walk away from upcoming tournaments unless the comments were clarified. Other senior players are rumored to be weighing similar drastic decisions, raising fears of a potential boycott that could shake the sport to its core.
Fans, meanwhile, have been divided — some celebrating the rise of a new superstar, others condemning what they see as disrespect toward the legends who built the game. Social media erupted overnight, with hashtags supporting both Littler and the protesting veterans trending across multiple countries.
The PDC has yet to release an official statement addressing the backlash, but emergency meetings are believed to be underway. If tensions continue to escalate, what began as a bold proclamation could spiral into the most dramatic player standoff in darts history.