Luke Littler’s meteoric rise in the world of darts has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 17, the young player has already made a significant impact since bursting onto the scene at the 2024 World Darts Championship. With a combination of skill, poise, and an innate flair for the sport, Littler is transcending the traditional audience of darts and garnering attention from the wider public. Fans, players, and legends alike are beginning to see him as not just a darts prodigy, but potentially a sporting phenomenon in the making.
In fact, legendary former world darts champion Dennis Priestley recently voiced a big and bold prediction regarding Littler’s potential. Speaking on the latest episode of William Hill’s YouTube show *Club 501*, hosted by ex-professional darts player and prominent commentator Wayne Mardle, Priestley didn’t shy away from comparing Littler to one of the most famous athletes in history: David Beckham. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Beckham became an icon not just in football but in global pop culture. Priestley, a two-time world champion himself, sees a similar future for Littler in the realm of darts, if certain factors align in the young player’s favor.
“Luke Littler is still so young, and his career could go one way or the other,” Priestley explained, noting the potential challenges of maintaining focus and grounding with such early fame. “I just hope he’s surrounding himself with the right people who will keep him grounded. If they can do that and he can remain at the top of his game for 10 or so years, then he’ll be worth more than David Beckham.” This is quite a statement, considering Beckham’s legacy both on and off the field. Beckham’s career was marked not only by his talent but also by his charisma, business ventures, and cultural impact, which continues to bring him into the public eye.
However, Priestley was quick to emphasize how difficult it is for any athlete to stay at the peak of their game for an extended period, especially in a sport as demanding as darts. Reflecting on the careers of other champions across sports, he remarked, “It’s hard for any player to remain at the top for that length of time. Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry managed a decade at the top of snooker, but it’s very difficult to go on for longer than that.” Even in darts, where the legendary Phil Taylor dominated for nearly 20 years, sustaining that level of performance is, as Priestley put it, “not the norm.”
Priestley’s comments speak to the challenges Littler will likely face as he navigates the pressures of the spotlight, both within the darts community and beyond. The wealth and visibility of today’s darts scene stand in stark contrast to the earlier days of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), when both the competition and its financial stability were still in their infancy. Priestley, who was one of the pioneers in professional darts, recalls a time when he and Phil Taylor, another darts legend, took drastic steps to ensure the survival of the PDC.
“There were times when Phil and I didn’t take our prize money so the PDC could stay afloat,” Priestley recalled, underscoring the dedication they had for the game and the organization. “That went on for quite a while, and I think it was just us two who did it.” Back then, the PDC faced financial struggles that placed its very existence in jeopardy. The lack of prize money and sponsorships was a stark contrast to today’s booming environment, where players like Littler can realistically aspire to substantial earnings and global fame.
Priestley credits Barry Hearn, the renowned sports promoter who took over the PDC, with transforming the landscape of darts. Hearn made major changes that revitalized the sport, clearing debts and laying the groundwork for a profitable future. As Priestley described, “As soon as Barry Hearn came in to take over the PDC, he paid all the debts off and made sure Phil and I got paid. Then he made sure that we got more out of it than the other players who hadn’t put as much in.” Hearn’s restructuring didn’t just solve financial issues; it also created a system of rewards based on contributions, where Priestley and Taylor received 600 shares each in the PDC, compared to the 200 shares given to other players. The initial investment and sacrifices made by players like Priestley and Taylor were finally being recognized and rewarded.
Hearn’s approach proved revolutionary, and Priestley notes that Hearn’s confidence was unshakeable from the beginning. “He said that if in two years’ time he hadn’t set things right and secured better TV coverage and prize money, then he’d hand the PDC back,” Priestley recounted. Under Hearn’s leadership, the PDC has grown to new heights, attracting sponsorships, media coverage, and fans worldwide. Darts today offers a level of financial and professional security that was unimaginable when Priestley and Taylor were first establishing the organization.
In this new era of darts, Littler has the potential to thrive not only as an athlete but as a brand and an icon. If he can maintain his focus and surround himself with supportive mentors, as Priestley advises, Littler could indeed become a household name. With his youth, talent, and timing on his side, the young star is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities within the modern game, from lucrative endorsements to global fan engagement.
The question now is not only how far Littler can go but how he will shape his journey. His talent has already captured the public’s attention, and with comparisons to icons like Beckham, the expectations are high. For Littler, staying grounded and continually honing his craft will be crucial, especially as he transitions into the higher levels of competition. Darts, once a niche sport, now has a global platform, and Littler may well become one of its most visible faces if he can continue to perform at the highest level.
As Dennis Priestley’s remarks illustrate, Littler’s journey has parallels with some of the greatest athletes across sports. But unlike Priestley’s time, today’s game offers Littler a chance not only for a long career but for lasting impact in popular culture—potentially one that echoes Beckham’s influence.