“You Don’t Have to Be a Footballer to Earn Loads of Money” – Luke Humphries on the Earning Potential in Darts
Earlier this week, World Champion Luke Humphries helped launch “Darts on Your Doorstep” at Drayton Manor Cricket & Social Club. The new initiative will look to improve grassroots level darts as Humphries urges more young players to get involved in darts due to the ‘earning potential’.
On Saturday 7th November, luke humphries will begin his defence of the Grand slam dart title that he won for the first time last year.
The number 1 seed has been drawn in Group A, alongside three-time runner-up James Wade, debutant Mickey Mansell and Rowby-John Rodriguez.
Humphries was present for the draw which was held in Drayton Manor Cricket & Social Club on Monday where the PDC, in partnership with Smart Energy GB, launched a new community initiative named “Dart on your doorstep”.
The Initiative aims to improve the playing conditions at grassroots level for darts in a bid to increase participation and build on the recent accelerated growth of darts as a sport in the UK.
The PDC, Smart Energy GB and Winmau will fully revamp 250+ darts clubs within the first year, improving the playing area with brand new equipment and ensuring there are sufficient opportunities for local communities to take up darts with the best possible playing conditions.
Humphries could become the first player ever to reach £2 million in earnings on the 2-year PDC Order of Merit this year, so he’s well aware of the growth and earning potential in modern darts.
When speaking about the new initiative, he was quick to point this out to any youngsters listening…
Luke Humphries Tells Youth You Can Earn a Good Living in Darts
Humphries has become a millionaire through playing darts and is very vocal about trying to get more young players to take advantage of the opportunity available to darts players over the next decade.
In an interview with online dart, he would even make the comparison to footballers!
He said:
“I’m pleased to be here but also privileged that the PDC asked me to do it.
“It’s just a great initiative to help the younger generation out.
“Like I said many times today, when I played darts when I was 13 in the pubs, the dartboard was knackered, the light didn’t work, the pool table was in the way, the oche was just a piece of black tape on the floor…
“So it’s a great opportunity for the younger generation to come in, stay off the streets and start learning to play darts.
“With the amount of money that’s in darts nowadays as well it’s a great opportunity, you don’t have to be a professional footballer to earn loads of money. You can be a darts player.
“I’m going to keep trying my best to keep ushering the young generation to keep coming through, to keep playing darts and you know there’s massive rewards at the end of it if you’ve got a talent at it.
Aside from the new initiative, Humphries also took a moment to comment on the work that the Junior Darts Corporation are doing and the opportunities they provide. He said:
“With the JDC as well, that’s an organisation that I would have loved when I was younger, I really would have loved it. I think it might have helped me be at this level 3-4 years before maybe.
“They’ve got a great opportunity now, they play for prizes and money now so it’s a great opportunity for them to earn a bit of money at such a young age.
“If you can earn a bit and when you’re 18 you’ve got £20k or £30k in the bank that’s a great start up in life so it’s amazing.
“There’s a great opportunity out there for everyone now and it’s up to them to reap the rewards.”
Watch his full interview below where he also touches on his Grand Slam of Darts draw and chances.
There’s no doubt the money in darts will continue to grow, while Humphries is certainly taking advantage of that in recent years, he’s still only 11th in terms of prize money earned