Russ Bray, known as the iconic “Voice of Darts,” has spoken out about the financial impact of Luke Littler’s rise in the sport, crediting the teenage darts sensation for helping him double his earnings through his darts app.
Bray, who is widely recognized for his unique delivery as a darts referee, had seen modest returns from his app, making an average of £12,000 per year. However, since Littler’s breakthrough performances, including his World Championship debut and subsequent record-breaking victory as the youngest ever winner, Bray has seen a significant increase in his earnings.
“I was approached by someone from up north asking if he could create a Russ Bray darts app,” Bray shared with The Times. “He said it would cost me nothing — all I had to do was record names and numbers, so I did. It became one of the most successful apps on Apple, earning me around £12-13,000 annually. But after Luke Littler made a splash, last year I made about £30,000 from it. Luke has really helped bring darts into the limelight.”
The “Luke Littler Effect” on Bray’s Earnings
Bray had previously discussed the significant effect Littler’s rise had on the darts app. “After the World Championships last year, I received my biggest payout for the app in February. Normally, I get paid monthly, but after Luke made the final, my earnings skyrocketed — 12 or 13 times higher than usual for that month. The following months were still significantly higher — about nine times and eight times more. It was an extraordinary boost.”
Littler’s Rapid Rise and Financial Success
Littler’s meteoric rise in the darts world has not only impacted Bray’s earnings but has also been hugely profitable for the young star. Littler earned his first six-figure payout from his runner-up finish at the World Championship, and later banked another £500,000 for winning the event the following year. His victory in the 2024 Premier League Darts earned him another six-figure sum, and he’s on track to continue his financial success.
With £275,000 up for grabs for this year’s Premier League winner, Littler leads the standings after 12 weeks and has already collected £40,000 from his four weekly event wins. He is well-positioned to reach the play-offs, further adding to his impressive earnings.
