Latest news with #VanBarneveld
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
PDC threatened with legal action amid complaints over the way darts is broadcast
THE PDC have been threatened with legal action amid complaints over the way darts is broadcast. The controversy was sparked by last weekend's World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions event. 1 The PDC has been threatened with legal action following Raymond van Barneveld's latest darts appearance Credit: Getty Ross Montgomery won the tournament with an 8-5 win against Richie Howson in the final. However, the presence of The That's because the tournament is part of the World Seniors Darts Tour (WSDT), with Van Gerwen holding an active PDC Tour card. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL PDC stars are normally only allowed to feature in competitions sanctioned by their own group. And any non-PDC tournaments that players do feature in are non-televised. But the Champion of Champions competition was shown live on PlutoTV, leading to confusion over Van Barneveld's participation. And now, WSDT promoter Jason Francis claims the PDC could be threatened with legal action over its 'monopoly' on broadcasting live darts. Most read in Darts BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS He believes his group should be able to show off the game's top stars if they want to play in WSDT tournaments. And with a legal challenge currently in the works over how snooker is televised, a similar one could be coming for the world of darts. Fuming fans complain after Van Barneveld's World Darts Championship walk-on is 'massacred' in embarrassing blunder Francis told the 'There's no negotiation, there's no option, and because of their dominant position, what other choice do players have?" "If you have more than one person competing for the services of a professional sportsman, who wins? Ultimately, the player wins and the darts fan wins. "Why is that? Because as promoters, we have to put enough prize money up to attract Raynond van Barneveld, Luke Littler or Luke Humphries to our event. 'If someone else is doing that, we then have to fight over price. Then, the ticket prices come down." "It's no different to when supermarkets compete over a loaf of bread. Competition is good because the customer gets the best deal. But there is no competition in darts. 'The PDC have a complete monopoly on darts, and it is something that, in snooker, we are legally challenging. If that is successful, I would expect that to follow on in darts as well."
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
PDC threatened with legal action amid complaints over the way darts is broadcast
Legal beaks are now keeping their eyes on a similar challenge by another sport DART OF WAR PDC threatened with legal action amid complaints over the way darts is broadcast Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE PDC have been threatened with legal action amid complaints over the way darts is broadcast. The controversy was sparked by last weekend's World Seniors Darts Champion of Champions event. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The PDC has been threatened with legal action following Raymond van Barneveld's latest darts appearance Credit: Getty Ross Montgomery won the tournament with an 8-5 win against Richie Howson in the final. However, the presence of Raymond van Barneveld caused a ripple in the darting world. The Dutch superstar was a shock addition to the line-up before crashing out in the semis to Montgomery. That's because the tournament is part of the World Seniors Darts Tour (WSDT), with Van Gerwen holding an active PDC Tour card. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL HIT THE ROOF I worked 12-hour days as a roofer before darts stardom... I wouldn't burn out PDC stars are normally only allowed to feature in competitions sanctioned by their own group. And any non-PDC tournaments that players do feature in are non-televised. But the Champion of Champions competition was shown live on PlutoTV, leading to confusion over Van Barneveld's participation. And now, WSDT promoter Jason Francis claims the PDC could be threatened with legal action over its 'monopoly' on broadcasting live darts. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS He believes his group should be able to show off the game's top stars if they want to play in WSDT tournaments. And with a legal challenge currently in the works over how snooker is televised, a similar one could be coming for the world of darts. Fuming fans complain after Van Barneveld's World Darts Championship walk-on is 'massacred' in embarrassing blunder Francis told the Weekly Dartscast: "The PDC have a monopoly on broadcast darts. And if Raymond van Barneveld wants to be a professional player, he has to sign a PDC contract. 'There's no negotiation, there's no option, and because of their dominant position, what other choice do players have?" "If you have more than one person competing for the services of a professional sportsman, who wins? Ultimately, the player wins and the darts fan wins. "Why is that? Because as promoters, we have to put enough prize money up to attract Raynond van Barneveld, Luke Littler or Luke Humphries to our event. 'If someone else is doing that, we then have to fight over price. Then, the ticket prices come down." "It's no different to when supermarkets compete over a loaf of bread. Competition is good because the customer gets the best deal. But there is no competition in darts. 'The PDC have a complete monopoly on darts, and it is something that, in snooker, we are legally challenging. If that is successful, I would expect that to follow on in darts as well."
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Raymond van Barneveld career move get thumbs up as tournament chief says 'darts is winner'
Raymond van Barneveld career move get thumbs up as tournament chief says 'darts is winner' Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will grace a World Seniors event this month after being given special permission to compete by the PDC Raymond van Barneveld's announcement surprised the darting world (Image:) Raymond van Barneveld has received special dispensation to compete in a non-PDC event. The darts community was taken aback this week when the Dutch icon, 58, revealed he had accepted a wildcard invite to participate in the World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament at the end of June. Normally, players with PDC Tour Cards are banned from featuring in TV or streamed competitions that aren't managed by the PDC. Therefore, Van Barneveld's involvement in the World Seniors event led to speculation over his future at the top level. But the five-time world champion is still part of the PDC, which has sanctioned his participation in the Champion of Champions, which will be held at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on June 29. When approached, the PDC confirmed: "Raymond has asked for, and been granted, permission to play in the event." Meanwhile, Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Darts, confirmed on social media that van Barneveld had adhered to proper protocols. He shared on X: "RVB followed the correct procedures, and permission was granted. It's all good." In response to a question from former world champion Keith Deller about whether other PDC players could follow suit, Francis added: "The PDC contract allows players to apply for permission. In this case [we're] delighted it's been granted for @Raybar180 to play as he is a legend and a fantastic addition but 11 others will want to prove a point so should be fantastic competition. Darts is the winner here." Article continues below Van Barneveld's announcement surprised the darting world (Image: Getty ) Van Barneveld will renew his rivalries with the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who will also be part of the 12-player Champion of Champions field. He said: "I am looking forward to playing in this event. "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era." He insists he won't take his opponents lightly, adding: "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament. Simon Whitlock will be part of the field at the Champion of Champions event (Image:) "With players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King - who've just stepped off the pro tour - plus Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton and Ross Montgomery, it's going to be a real battle." Article continues below There is no suggestion that Van Barneveld is planning to leave the PDC Tour, and he is on course to be part of the field at next month's PDC World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. But his exception to play in the Champion of Champions does potentially open the door to lower-ranked PDC players and stars of Van Barneveld's age to play in the MODUS Super Series and World Seniors events.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Raymond van Barneveld given green light by PDC to go against normal regulations
Darts legend Raymond van Barneveld is relishing taking part in a World Seniors event against some of his old rivals after being granted permission to play by the PDC Raymond van Barneveld has shocked darts fans by entering a non-PDC TV tournament. The Dutch legend has accepted a wildcard invite to play in the World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament later this month. Typically, PDC Tour Card holders cannot participate in televised or streamed events outside the PDC's jurisdiction, but an exception has been made for the five-time world champion. Van Barneveld's involvement in a World Seniors event had sparked speculation over the 58-year-old's future in the PDC. However, he remains within the PDC fold, with the powers that be sanctioning his request to compete at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on June 29. When contacted by the Mirror, the PDC confirmed: "Raymond has asked for, and been granted, permission to play in the event." Meanwhile, Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Darts, assured fans that all protocols were observed. On social media, Francis confirmed: "RVB followed the correct procedures, and permission was granted. It's all good." Responding to ex-world champion Keith Deller's query about whether other players could make similar requests, Francis said: "The PDC contract allows players to apply for permission. In this case [we're] delighted it's been granted for @Raybar180 to play as he is a legend and a fantastic addition but 11 others will want to prove a point so should be fantastic competition. Darts is the winner here." Van Barneveld is set to face off against icons like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who will form part of the 12-play field in Portsmouth. The former Premier League champion insists he is taking the tournament deadly seriously, saying: "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. "They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era. "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament. "With players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King - who've just stepped off the pro tour - plus Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton, and Ross Montgomery, it's going to be a real battle." There's no indication that Van Barneveld intends to quit the PDC Tour, although he could play in fewer tournaments as he heads towards the end of his career. He is on course to be part of the field at the upcoming World Matchplay in Blackpool, which starts on July 19. The exception to play in the Champion of Champions potentially opens the door to lower-ranked PDC players and stars of Van Barneveld's age to compete in the MODUS Super Series and World Seniors events.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Raymond van Barneveld granted exemption to play in darts tournament as five-time world champion accepts wildcard invite
The five-time world champion could face former BDO rival Richie Burnett AT THE DOUBLE Raymond van Barneveld granted exemption to play in darts tournament as five-time world champion accepts wildcard invite Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS legend Raymond van Barneveld has been granted permission to join the World Seniors Tour. The 58-year-old has been named as the final wildcard for the 2025 Champion of Champions. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Raymond van Barneveld is a wildcard for the WST's 2025 Champion of Champions Credit: Rex 2 The 58-year-old still competes on the PDC tour Credit: Alamy Barney will take on 11 other legends of the sport at the tournament in Portsmouth on June 29. The Dutch icon currently holds a PDC Tour Card. He was given special permission by the PDC to appear in the event later this month. Van Barneveld began his darts pro career way back in 1987. READ MORE ON DARTS 'Going to be hard' Humphries reveals what he'll do if crowd rile Littler at World Cup He began in the BDO, winning four world titles before joining the PDC in 2006. Barney added the PDC crown a year later, cementing his place as a legend of the sport. The Dutchman still plays on the Tour, but his last major televised final came in the 2018 Masters. He will go up against stars including Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King in Portsmouth. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Van Barneveld said: "I am looking forward to playing in this event. "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. 'Early to be losing your rag' - Commentator blasts darts star as he has MELTDOWN in just second leg "They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. "I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era. "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. "I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament". "To have the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who have not long come off the Professional Tour, and then Seniors World Champions like John [Henderson], Robert [Thornton], and Ross [Montgomery] also playing, it's going to be a real battle out there to take the title".
