https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-34614563

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-34614563

Jumping on the fame train, clever marketing really. And i bet Littler will be buzzing with this, good on him

Well, making the most of the Luke Littler connection is as much of an open goal as you are ever going to get in terms of marketing and publicity, so we'd be daft not to. If it helps to enhance a feelgood factor around the place and get more people interested or aware, then it's all good.

Indeed, 'the Darts' and Luke Littler in particular are riding on the crest of a wave.

I caught the end of a Barry Hearn interview on the wireless and a new TV detail is set to be or has been announced £125m with Sky TV!!! Although I'm not sure of the terms/length of deal.

In brief, our Luke got a mention and Hearn said the viewing figures, due to his marketing and connecting the audience with personalities, warrant the cash in comparison to say Golf, where viewing figures are comparatively low all be it, it's a sport with access to the 'filthy lucre' sponsors and viewers.

It certainly puts RL in its place and not in a good way.

Rugby League managed to secure £21m from Sky for 2024, HALF of the £40m in 2021.

The Hearns have managed to DOUBLE the Sky darts deal to £25m for 5 years.

The RFL turned down involvement from the Hearns.

A great bit of inexpensive marketing, well done Wire. Naming a stadium for the day for respective local celebrities will put more income in the clubs coffers.

I doubt the 'Kevin Webster stadium' would go well for Salford though

Quite an underperformance by the RL 'powers that be' putting it politely. Although, are we 100% sure that the Hearns were turned down rather than they walked or were being unreasonable? With our sports past record, it's an easy assumption to make that they messed up.

However, one thing stuck in my mind on the Darts SKY Documentary preview and that was Barry could "smell the money", maybe he could only smell mushy peas when it came to RL and organising team sports with owners many of whom could be said to have egos isn't quite as straightforward as dealing with individuals in the darts, snooker and boxing world.

Perhaps, it was all a dream, romantic wishful thinking

A very good BBC Sport article here about 'Littlermania' and the surge of interest in 'the darts': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/articles/crmzy2ye18no Some of the numbers are pretty eye-watering, but darts is one of those sports that seems to have had ebbs and flows in popularity over the years, probably depending on the personalities involved at the time. It's certainly all the rage at the moment, though, so it's good if RL (and Wire in particular) can ride on its coat-tails for a while.

A very good BBC Sport article here about 'Littlermania' and the surge of interest in 'the darts': https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/articles/crmzy2ye18no Some of the numbers are pretty eye-watering, but darts is one of those sports that seems to have had ebbs and flows in popularity over the years, probably depending on the personalities involved at the time. It's certainly all the rage at the moment, though, so it's good if RL (and Wire in particular) can ride on its coat-tails for a while.

Not for me, this. Another Karl gimmick. Get him out on the pitch before hand with the trophy but renaming the stadium for one night only? Woke nonsense.

As far as I know the Hearns were asked to come on board and take on an 'event', think it was the Challenge Cup and / or the Magic Weekend. They turned this down and said the only way they would get involved is if they had complete control over the sport - I can't see how doing that would be a good idea irrespective to what has happened to darts, but its all opinions at the end of the day.

We absolutely should be looking at ways to push certain players in to the mainstream where we can to push the sport forward - easier said than done I guess...

I think the stadium rename stays just about on the right side of cringe for me, helped by the fact Littler clearly is such a big Wire fan.

Quote Alffi_7="Alffi_7"As far as I know the Hearns were asked to come on board and take on an 'event', think it was the Challenge Cup and / or the Magic Weekend. They turned this down and said the only way they would get involved is if they had complete control over the sport - I can't see how doing that would be a good idea irrespective to what has happened to darts, but its all opinions at the end of the day. We absolutely should be looking at ways to push certain players in to the mainstream where we can to push the sport forward - easier said than done I guess... I think the stadium rename stays just about on the right side of cringe for me, helped by the fact Littler clearly is such a big Wire fan.'" I think Eddie Hearn speaks a lot of truth in this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jto-5gb ... SebSternik - Lack of stars and celebrities. - Game dying - TV contracts "wimpering out" - Hearns wanted to be in charge of the "overhaul" of RL. Seems like a lost opportunity to me.

Quote Alffi_7="Alffi_7"As far as I know the Hearns were asked to come on board and take on an 'event', think it was the Challenge Cup and / or the Magic Weekend. They turned this down and said the only way they would get involved is if they had complete control over the sport - I can't see how doing that would be a good idea irrespective to what has happened to darts, but its all opinions at the end of the day. We absolutely should be looking at ways to push certain players in to the mainstream where we can to push the sport forward - easier said than done I guess... I think the stadium rename stays just about on the right side of cringe for me, helped by the fact Littler clearly is such a big Wire fan.'" I think Eddie Hearn speaks a lot of truth in this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jto-5gb ... SebSternik - Lack of stars and celebrities. - Game dying - TV contracts "wimpering out" - Hearns wanted to be in charge of the "overhaul" of RL. Seems like a lost opportunity to me.

Wigan missed a trick after beating Penrith last season they should of re named there stadium the Liam Moore stadium