Last month, the PDC announced a major increase in prize money across nearly all of its tournaments. However, this move has not been without controversy. A number of players have voiced frustration over the continued lack of prize money for those who are eliminated in the first round of a Players Championship event. That criticism, however, is firmly rejected by Peter Manley, the current chairman of the players’ union.
One of the key changes introduced is an increase in prize money for players who reach the second round of a Players Championship — up from £1,000 to £1,250. Some players have argued that this additional prize money would be better allocated to those who lose in the first round. But Manley, a three-time World Championship finalist and winner of one PDC major, finds that view hard to support.
"It (the criticism ed.) comes from a lot of players who probably aren't doing too well and realising that Barry Hearn's golden ticket actually isn't a golden ticket as far as they're concerned," begins the PDPA Chairman in conversation with Online Darts. "But then, the PDC does as much as they can to give them the prize money and the structure that they've got now. But it's never going to please everyone, regardless of what they did."
"Obviously, the prize money went from £1,000 to £1,250 and everyone is saying: 'Why didn't you give the £250 to them (first round losers)'," Manley continues. "But why? You haven't won a game. Barry's words from the beginning were that you've always got to win a game. You cannot just turn up and earn money."
The prize money boost for the World Darts Championship is particularly striking. The winner of the upcoming tournament will take home a staggering £1 million — double the amount claimed by current world champion Luke Littler in January.
"The golden ticket really starts, that you can now earn £1million for being a world champion and no one can stop you!" Manley smiles with excitement. "You've got so many chances to qualify now for the world championship If you don't, you've got to look at yourself and think."
Manley points to Ross Smith as a prime example for other players to follow. "Look at him recently at the Players Championship. Hit two nine-darters, won the event and won twenty-four consecutive legs. He's fantastic. The guy wants to be in the Premier League, he wants to be better than what he is, he wants to win more. That's the attitude they all should have and if they haven't? Then they don't deserve to be there," Manley concludes.
More must-reads: