“I deserve a statue in Barry Hearn’s garden” – Van Gerwen talks about his influence on the growth of darts

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Michael van Gerwen has jokingly suggested he deserves a statue in PDC president Barry Hearn’s garden for his pivotal role in transforming professional darts into the multi-million pound global phenomenon it has become.

The three-time world champion, speaking during the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, made the lighthearted remark while reflecting on his legacy and contribution to the sport’s explosive growth over the past decade—a period that saw darts evolve from a pub game into a mainstream sporting spectacle.

The MVG Era

While delivered with typical Dutch directness and humor, Van Gerwen’s comment carries more than a kernel of truth. Between 2014 and 2021, the 36-year-old Dutch superstar didn’t just dominate darts—he redefined what elite performance looked like, captivating millions of viewers and helping the PDC expand into new markets worldwide.

His numbers tell the story of unprecedented dominance. Van Gerwen won 48 PDC major titles, second only to the legendary Phil Taylor. He claimed a record seven Premier League crowns, three World Championships, and held the world number one ranking for over 2,500 consecutive days. His highest televised three-dart average of 123.40 remains the gold standard, a mark that may never be surpassed.

But perhaps more importantly, Van Gerwen became the face of modern darts during its most critical growth phase. His aggressive, fast-paced style, coupled with his “Mighty Mike” persona and trademark celebrations, made him instantly recognizable even to casual sports fans. He was the perfect protagonist for a sport trying to break into the mainstream.

Hearn’s Vision, Van Gerwen’s Execution

Barry Hearn’s vision for darts required more than just infrastructure and television deals—it needed a generational talent capable of capturing the public imagination. Phil Taylor provided that during darts’ formative PDC years, but by the time Van Gerwen hit his prime in the mid-2010s, Hearn was ready to take the sport global.

The timing couldn’t have been better. As Van Gerwen steamrolled through tournaments, winning 18 titles in 2015 and an astonishing 25 in 2016, Hearn was securing lucrative broadcasting contracts, expanding the World Series internationally, and positioning darts as premium entertainment rather than niche sporting content.

“Without Michael’s dominance during that period, Barry’s expansion plans would have been much harder to sell,” one PDC insider noted. “Broadcasters wanted to invest because they knew MVG would deliver the ratings. Sponsors wanted association with a winner. Venues sold out because people wanted to see him in person.”

Van Gerwen’s appeal transcended darts. His aggressive style attracted football fans accustomed to end-to-end action. His consistency appealed to those who appreciated excellence. His personality—confident without being arrogant, emotional without being unprofessional—made him the perfect ambassador during crucial growth years.

The Commercial Explosion

The financial transformation of darts during Van Gerwen’s peak years is staggering. When he won his first World Championship in 2014, the prize fund stood at £1.5 million. By 2026, it had ballooned to over £2.5 million, with the champion receiving £1 million for the first time in the sport’s history.

Premier League attendance figures soared, with venues regularly selling out within hours. The European Tour expanded aggressively, taking darts into Germany, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands—with Van Gerwen as the main attraction in many of these markets. World Series events sprouted up globally, from Australia to Las Vegas, Dubai to Shanghai.

Van Gerwen’s marketability helped darts secure sponsorship deals that would have been unthinkable a decade earlier. Major brands like William Hill, Unibet, and Cazoo poured money into the sport, attracted by the combination of Hearn’s professionalism and Van Gerwen’s star power.

His own sponsorship portfolio tells its own story. Deals with Winmau, Red Bull, BMW, and others elevated his personal net worth to an estimated £8 million, setting a new benchmark for what professional darts players could earn. He wasn’t just throwing darts for prize money—he was building a business empire, proving to aspiring players that darts could be genuinely lucrative.

The Littler Context

Van Gerwen’s comments about deserving recognition come at an interesting moment. The sport is currently experiencing “Littlermania,” with 18-year-old Luke Littler’s extraordinary rise drawing comparisons to Van Gerwen’s own era of dominance.

The parallels are obvious. Like Van Gerwen a decade ago, Littler is breaking records, winning majors at an unprecedented rate, and attracting new audiences to the sport. Viewing figures for the 2026 World Championship final exceeded 4.8 million peak viewers on Sky Sports, while social media engagement around Littler has dwarfed anything seen previously in darts.

Some have suggested that Littler’s impact eclipses Van Gerwen’s, pointing to the sheer scale of “the Littler effect” on participation rates and mainstream coverage. Phil Taylor himself noted that “darts has gone crazy” since Littler arrived, with youth participation soaring and dartboards flying off shelves nationwide.

However, Van Gerwen’s supporters argue that Littler’s success is only possible because of the foundation laid during the MVG era. The infrastructure, the prize money, the global reach, the broadcast deals—all were established or significantly enhanced during Van Gerwen’s years of dominance.

“Luke is standing on the shoulders of giants,” one veteran player observed. “Michael made being a professional darts player aspirational. He showed it could be a career, not just a hobby. The PDC Pro Tour, the prize money, the opportunities—much of that expansion happened because Michael was delivering performances that justified the investment.”

The “Star Born Every 17 Years” Theory

Van Gerwen himself famously joked that “a star is born every 17 years” in darts—referencing the gap between his own breakthrough and Littler’s arrival. This self-aware humor has characterized his response to being surpassed by the next generation.

Rather than resenting Littler’s success, Van Gerwen has acknowledged the teenager’s exceptional talent while subtly reminding observers of his own contributions to the sport’s growth. His recent victory at the Bahrain Darts Masters—defeating Gian van Veen in the final and ending Littler’s 21-match winning streak along the way—demonstrated he remains a formidable competitor despite no longer holding the number one ranking.

“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” Van Gerwen told ITV after his Bahrain triumph. “I’ve had a tough few years, but more importantly you have to make sure you keep battling your own battles.”

Does He Actually Deserve a Statue?

Van Gerwen’s joke about deserving a statue in Hearn’s garden is obviously tongue-in-cheek, but it raises a legitimate question: how should the PDC recognize the players who’ve driven its incredible growth?

The sport has no Hall of Fame, no formal process for honoring those who’ve contributed most to its development. Phil Taylor’s legacy is secure, but what about the players who came after—those who maintained and built upon “The Power’s” achievements rather than simply benefiting from them?

Van Gerwen’s case is compelling. He held the world number one ranking longer than any player except Taylor. His 159 PDC titles represent consistent excellence across over a decade. His 30 recorded nine-dart finishes—10 of them televised—thrilled millions. His record-breaking averages redefined what’s possible in competitive darts.

More importantly, he did all this during the crucial expansion years when the PDC needed a face for its global ambitions. He was the player on promotional materials, the name that sold out venues, the draw that justified increased investment. He delivered when the sport needed star power most.

Hearn’s Response

While Barry Hearn hasn’t publicly responded to Van Gerwen’s statue joke, those close to the PDC president suggest he’d acknowledge the Dutchman’s immense contribution while noting that the sport’s growth has been a collective effort.

Hearn has often spoken about the “ecosystem” required for professional sports to thrive—great players, yes, but also great tournaments, broadcast partners, sponsors, and most importantly, passionate fans. Van Gerwen provided the centerpiece, but Hearn orchestrated the entire production.

“Barry would probably say Michael deserves all the credit he gets, but that the statue should maybe feature all the players, officials, and staff who’ve built this together,” one PDC insider speculated. “That said, if you’re going to single out one player from the post-Taylor era for recognition, Michael’s got as strong a case as anyone.”

The Saudi Connection

Van Gerwen’s comments came during the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, itself evidence of the global expansion that characterized his era. The PDC’s push into the Middle East—encompassing Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and now Riyadh—represents exactly the kind of international growth that Van Gerwen’s dominance helped facilitate.

While the Saudi events remain controversial due to sportswashing concerns, they demonstrate darts’ evolution into a genuinely global property. Van Gerwen winning the Bahrain title and competing in Saudi Arabia bookends a decade-long transformation from European pub sport to worldwide entertainment phenomenon.

Legacy and the Next Generation

As Van Gerwen navigates the twilight of his career—still capable of winning majors but no longer the dominant force he once was—his place in darts history is secure. Whether that eventually translates into a literal statue, a formal honor, or simply the respect of his peers remains to be seen.

What’s undeniable is that his joke carries weight. Michael van Gerwen didn’t just win tournaments—he helped Barry Hearn build an empire. He was the right player at the right time, delivering the performances, personality, and professionalism the PDC needed to take darts from smoke-filled pubs to sold-out arenas and million-pound prize funds.

If Hearn ever does commission that garden statue, MVG would have a legitimate claim to be on the shortlist. Until then, his legacy speaks for itself: 48 majors, 159 titles, and a sport transformed during his reign.

The statue can wait. The recognition is already there.