Hearn plans to be at forefront of crisis exit strategy
TOP promoter Barry Hearn has promised to lead sport’s great escape from lockdown.
Hearn has already launched the Professional Darts Corporation Home Tour this month and earlier this week announced new dates to stage the postponed World Snooker Championship.
Snooker’s blue-ribbon event should be taking place now in Sheffield but, despite the coronavirus, Hearn has been able to agree new dates of July 31-August 16 for the Crucible Theatre to host the 17-day tournament.
‘In my 45 years in sport, this is the most complicated scenario I’ve ever come up against,’ admitted Hearn.
‘It’s quite unique in our lifetime, but it’s a time for character, resolve and to find the determination to get the job done as quickly and as safely as we possibly can.
‘We’re doing everything we can to come up with ideas to keep players earning in a safe environment.
‘We’ve done that with darts on the PDC circuit and that’s working well. That will be extended as well, hopefully.
‘We’re trying to come up with something for snooker over the next few weeks to keep them active as well.
‘We don’t want to lose the World Championship, we’re doing everything we can.
‘We have to make sure we’ve got something to look forward to in these tragic times.’
Hearn suffered a minor heart attack earlier this month, but the dedicated promoter is showing no signs of slowing down despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘This lockdown is not easy for anybody but, whatever sport it is, it can give a welcome distraction and enjoyment at a time when people might be feeling low,’ he added.
‘The World Championship is one of the world’s biggest sporting events — and I think this is a statement to get this event on, one way or another.
‘Players have families, mortgages and bills to pay, so they need food on the table. The only way they get paid is when they participate in an event.’
Hearn was quick to stress prize money will not be reduced despite the crisis. This year’s winner will pocket a record £500,000 and he revealed: ‘I’ve made a commitment to the players, the prize money is unaltered.’
Meanwhile, Hearn also revealed that boxing could soon be coming to our TV screens despite the crisis.
His Matchroom stable represent heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua and a host of other top stars and he and his son Eddie have big plans for the coming months.
‘Eddie is working on so many creative ideas to bring boxing back to our screens, whether that might be behind closed doors to start with,’ explained Hearn.
‘My boxers are in the same position as my darts and snooker players.
‘They want to fight and earn a living, which is something we will not shy away from.’