Barry Hearn has issued a graceful response after being described as an “ashtray” by PDC darts player Vincent van der Voort.
The former chairman of the PDC played a crucial role in reviving the popularity of darts, but not every player on the circuit appreciated his influence. Van der Voort, 48, joined Hearn and the PDC in 2007 and has been critical of his former promoter. Hearn addressed these comments on his show, “The Barry Hearn Show.”
As van der Voort approaches the end of his darts career, he has expressed his desire not to exit the sport quietly. He recently labeled Hearn an “ashtray” and described him as “a terrible person.” When asked if he would speak to the 76-year-old on the day of his final match, Van der Voort made his feelings clear.
“I consider that chance very small,” Van der Voort stated on the Darts Draait Door podcast. “He’s a great businessman. He has truly been an icon for the sport of darts; what he has achieved in terms of business is remarkable. We couldn’t have wished for a better businessman. However, on a personal level, he is a terrible person—there is no bigger ashtray than him, in my opinion. From a business standpoint, we couldn’t have wished for better.”