A Darts icon has backed a proposed venue change for the PDC World Darts Championships.
Alexandra Palace has been the tournament’s home since its 2008 move from the Circus Tavern in Essex.
But the iconic venue’s future hosting the annual competition is in doubt as has been mooted as a potential new location for the tournament.
And retired referee Russ Bray believes a change of venue could make sense given the recent growth of the sport and the potential increase of prize money.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “The PDC’s [Professional Darts Corporation] a business, like you say, it is a business.
“Barry and Eddie [Hearn, respective chairman and ex-chairman] and Matt [Porter, CEO of PDC], these guys, they’ll sit down and talk.
“Obviously, if they can pay the players £2million for winning the World Final because we’ve got to go somewhere else, then I’m pretty certain that’s what they will do. It makes sense.”;;
Matchroom supremo Barry Hearn has already been approached by the Saudis about bringing the competition to The Kingdom.
But he knocked them back after they informed him fans wouldn’t be able to drink alcohol at events.
The 76-year-old said: “The Saudis asked me for [the] about a couple of months ago.
“I asked them a simple question. ‘Can we have alcohol?’
“And they said no. I said, ‘Well then you can’t have the darts.'”;;
Hearn, however, does believe The Kingdom could make a good home for the World Championships.
The veteran promoter has recently threatened to take the competition away from the Crucible unless the iconic venue is given a major revamp.
When asked ifbiggest tournament will stay put, Hearn toldRadio Snooker with Nick Metcalfe: “I hope so but we’ve got to live in the real world.
“So much of professional sport is about money.
“And as much as we want to stay here desperately, it’s got to be something that fits into the overall picture of where the game is going.
“This is a huge game. We mustn’t be parochialin our attitude.
“As long as everyone understands that and comes to the party in a reasonable and respectful way, I’m hopeful we can stay here.
“We must know by the end of the year. The clock is ticking.”;;
