Latest news with #WorldMatchplay
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler hits bullseye again with new venture ready to rake in a fortune
The star is raking in a fortune from fans buying his playing kit, hoodies, darts sets, £17 T-shirts and £200 signed photos. The 'Nuke Merchandise Shop' has just opened for business and its takings are set apart from his darts winnings. Teen darts sensation Luke Littler now has his own shop to cash in on merchandise and beat the bootleggers. The star is raking in a fortune from fans buying his playing kit, hoodies, darts sets, £17 T-shirts and £200 signed photos. The 'Nuke Merchandise Shop' has just opened for business and its takings are set apart from his darts winnings. The canny world champion has also set up a property firm and recently applied to trademark his name in the US. He applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to sell clothing and sportswear. Attorneys have denied the application for the right to use 'Luke the Nuke Littler'. He was given a "Notice of Provisional Full Refusal". They told him: "USPTO must receive the applicant's response within six months of the date on which the notification was sent.' He must remedy the list of issues raised after the 'total refusal' ruling. The Warrington whiz needs to clarify the trading classes of goods. He already has similar trademark protection in the UK to prevent bootleggers using his name. If his US application is successful, it will grant him exclusive rights in connection with specific goods or services. Crucially, it also allows him to take legal action against anyone who infringe upon those rights. Littler, 18, is the reigning world champion after lifting the trophy in January in front of 3,000 delirious fans at London's Alexandra Palace. He is only the fifth player in history to achieve darts' triple crown. He beat all comers to the World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay and has won almost £2m prize money from major events. His latest move is to maximise earnings away from the oche. In the PDC Order of Merit, which is calculated over two years, he banked a cool £1.5m. That covered the UK and Belgian Opens. He picked up £500,000 from the World Championship and another £200,000 from the World Matchplay. In the Premier League, Littler earned £60,000 for his six nightly wins. He claimed a set of 18-carat gold darts worth £30,000 for a nine-darter he hit during the regular season. He then collected £125,000 for finishing as runner-up. He has also scored a series of money-spinning deals and tie-ins with major partners. He has worked with fashion brand Boohoo, the Sidemen, a popular YouTube group, and McDonald's.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler, 18, takes part in annual FISHING competition as Barry Hearn, 77, rides a mechanic bull
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER loves to reel in the 'Big Fish' 170 checkouts on the oche. But earlier today, he traded his darts for fishing rods as he tried his hand at catching the real – albeit slippery – thing. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Luke Littler had a break from the oche and took part in a fishing competition 3 Littler relaxed by the lake with a selection of bait and an open can of Coke Credit: Instagram 3 Barry Hearn hopped onto the back of rodeo Credit: Instagram Two days after winning the £200,000 World Matchplay in Blackpool, The Nuke spent his day at the Tunnel Barn Farm Lake in Warwickshire for the 13th Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship. He was joined by fellow darts world champions Rob Cross and Adrian Lewis. Littler, 18, was seen sitting by the side of the lake under an umbrella with a box full of bait. He wore a specially printed Target fishing hoodie that said "Luke Littler MBE" on the back. READ MORE IN DARTS SMITH WOE Michael Smith health update as he undergoes blood tests and set for surgery Sports promoter Barry Hearn was also seen at the event as they raised money for the Willow Foundation and Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity. Hearn, 77, bravely had a go on the rodeo, climbing onto the back of the bull in a cowboys hat. He managed to cling on for seven seconds before falling off with a huge smile on his face. Littler, who is enjoying a rare week off, will be angling for more success when he flies to Australia next month for his next big darts competition. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN Let's hope there's another Catch of the Day for the teen sensation Down Under. Alex TLC is Target Darts' official charity partner, recognising the incredible work they do to support families affected by leukodystrophies. Barry Hearn rides a mechanic bull These are a group of rare, degenerative disorders that impact the white matter of the brain. The devastating conditions can lead to loss of motor function, paralysis, and tragically, early death. Donations to the Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity can be made via
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Luke Littler, 18, takes part in annual FISHING competition as Barry Hearn, 77, rides a mechanic bull
LUKE LITTLER loves to reel in the 'Big Fish' 170 checkouts on the oche. But earlier today, he traded his darts for fishing rods as he tried his hand at catching the real – albeit slippery – thing. 3 3 3 Two days after winning the £200,000 World Matchplay in Blackpool, The Nuke spent his day at the Tunnel Barn Farm Lake in Warwickshire for the 13th Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship. He was joined by fellow darts world champions Rob Cross and Adrian Lewis. Littler, 18, was seen sitting by the side of the lake under an umbrella with a box full of bait. He wore a specially printed Target fishing hoodie that said "Luke Littler MBE" on the back. Sports promoter Barry Hearn was also seen at the event as they raised money for the Willow Foundation and Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity. Hearn, 77, bravely had a go on the rodeo, climbing onto the back of the bull in a cowboys hat. He managed to cling on for seven seconds before falling off with a huge smile on his face. Littler, who is enjoying a rare week off, will be angling for more success when he flies to Australia next month for his next big darts competition. Let's hope there's another Catch of the Day for the teen sensation Down Under. Alex TLC is Target Darts' official charity partner, recognising the incredible work they do to support families affected by leukodystrophies. Barry Hearn rides a mechanic bull These are a group of rare, degenerative disorders that impact the white matter of the brain. The devastating conditions can lead to loss of motor function, paralysis, and tragically, early death.
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jonny Clayton 'did not want to play darts' as he makes honest admission after family tragedy
World Matchplay semi-finalist Jonny Clayton has revealed how his motivation for darts was drained after a family tragedy, but he's now targeting a return to the elite Jonny Clayton has said he was on the verge of giving up darts for good following the sudden death of his dad, John. But after a semi-final finish at the World Matchplay, the Welshman is well on the mend and has rediscovered his motivation to compete. 'The Ferret' was due to fly to the other side of the globe for the World Series in July 2023 when he received word of his father's death. And it was then Clayton started to find it difficult to concentrate on his darts commitments. He has since made a return to form after reaching the final of the World Masters in February. That marked his first PDC major final in almost two years, and he came within inches of adding another tournament decider to his record at the Winter Gardens. Clayton, 50, defeated Stephen Bunting 16-7 before falling 20-18 to James Wade in the semis of the World Matchplay. But he has chosen to take the positives from that result after detailing just how close he came to packing it in for good. "I've changed my mind! I've got the hunger back," he said after beating Stephen Bunting to reach the last four in Blackpool. "I don't know what it is. I felt a bit down in darts, but I want to be one of the best. 'It hurts that I've dropped from world No. 5 to nine with the rankings, but I'm climbing back up slowly. I want to be with the elite. "When you're there, people respect you more than what they do when you are further down the rankings. If you're not playing well, no matter your ranking, people pick up on it. But if you're playing well, it's a step in the right direction. I had to do a job against Stephen, and I did." He narrowly missed out on repeating the trick against 'The Machine', fighting back from 16-10 down to lose on a tiebreak. He and Wade now hold the record for the longest semi-final in World Matchplay history. Clayton has opened up in the past about the toll it took to lose his dad, describing the deep bond they shared. But he appears to have finally reached a place of acceptance, and it's showing in his performances at the oche. "We all know two years ago with my dad passing I just did not want to play," he continued. "I have a smile back on my face now, and I have two kids who want me to do well." The former plasterer, who only gave up his day job in 2022, went on to say he doesn't believe he has "hit top gear" just yet and has more to offer. Not only that, but he's back on the practice board, something he hasn't done "for probably a year-and-a-half." It was back in May that Clayton also ended his wait of more than two years for a European Tour title. He clinched the Dutch Darts Championship after coming back from 5-2 down to defeat Niko Springer in Rosmalen and celebrate another landmark moment. He and countryman Gerwyn Price also snagged a silver medal at this year's World Cup of Darts. The Welsh duo finished second to the Northern Irish pairing of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, having won the trophy themselves two years prior. The 2021 Premier League champion may have been a late arrival to the PDC after only joining their ranks 10 years ago. But Clayton appears eager to make up for lost time.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Man Utd want Luke Littler to return to Old Trafford to parade latest trophy as he matches club's famous Treble
MANCHESTER UNITED are keen for fellow Treble winner Luke Littler to return to Old Trafford and show off his latest darts trophy. Littler, 18, is a passionate United fan and completed the Triple Crown last weekend when he beat James Wade 18-13 to lift the Betfred World Matchplay. 3 3 Within the space of just 15 months, he has won the sport's three biggest events – the Premier League Darts, the World Championship and the Matchplay. On Sunday, January 19 – two days before his 18th birthday – Littler showed off the Sid Waddell Trophy to Red Devils fans at half-time of the 3-1 Prem loss to Brighton. And following his latest triumph, secured at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, club insiders would welcome him doing the same again with this pot of silverware, which is a dead ringer for football's FA Cup. Though Littler was not even born when United completed the historic Treble in 1999 under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson, they see the similarities with his 'three-peat' achievement. No official conversation has been had yet between the two parties but Littler has close links to the hierarchy. SunSport understands they are open to talks and say he is always welcome given his love and loyalty towards United, who are managed by Ruben Amorim. On his first VIP visit in January 2024, he met up with Ferguson, 83, and posed for photos. That same month, he coached shot-shy United stars how to hit the target as he took part in a nine-darts challenge at the Carrington training HQ with Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen. Luke Littler prize money breakdown Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner: World Championship 2025 - £500,000 World Championship 2024 - £200,000 Grand Slam of Darts 2024 - £150,000 European Tour - £91,000 Player Championships events - £71,500 Players Championship final runner-up - £60,000 UK Open 2023 + 2024 - £17,500 World Matchplay - £10,000 World Grand Prix - £7,500 European Championship - £7,500 (Unranked) Premier League Darts - £315,000 TOTAL: £1.43 million United open their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday, August 17. That fixture does not work for Littler, who will be in Auckland that weekend for the New Zealand Darts Masters. 'As a player yeah but...' - Luke Littler forces Roy Keane to agree on Bruno Fernandes but Man Utd legend still makes dig But he will then have time off until the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam on September 12-14. Meanwhile, Littler – midway through his second year as a pro – was asked after his win over Wade which of the three top trophies was his preference. It is nearly seven months since he beat Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally to become the sport's youngest world champion. Littler replied: 'It has to be the Worlds. But my personal favourite? 'Obviously, the Premier League at 17, winning that on debut and all the doubters saying if I am ready or not. 'That meant the most. But picking up the worlds, I think that is the best.'
