Luke Littler, the teenage darts sensation, has been tipped to potentially surpass David Beckham's astronomical net worth if he maintains his current trajectory.
Former world champion Dennis Priestley made the bold prediction, highlighting Littler's meteoric rise in the sport over the past year.
The 17-year-old has gone from a talented prodigy to the face of a new era in darts, with his recent success at the World Championship and Premier League catapulting him into the spotlight.
The Nuke's financial rewards have been substantial, sparking speculation about his long-term earning potential in the rapidly growing sport.
Littler's recent success has been nothing short of remarkable. At the 2024 World Championship, he secured a runner-up position, earning a substantial £200,000.
He followed this with an even more impressive win at the Premier League, pocketing £315,000 in prize money.
Luke Littler has had a meteoric rise in darts
PA
According to the PDC Order of Merit, Littler has already amassed £387,000 this year alone.
His total net worth is estimated to be in excess of £650,000, a staggering figure for a player who has been on the professional circuit for less than a year.
These earnings have set the stage for what could be an unprecedented financial trajectory in the world of darts.
Dennis Priestley, speaking on Club 501, emphasised the potential for Littler's financial success.
He stated, "If they can do that and he can remain at the top of his game for 10 or so years, then he'll be worth more than David Beckham."
However, Priestley cautioned about the challenges ahead, noting, "It's hard for any player to remain at the top for that length of time."
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The former champion stressed the importance of Littler surrounding himself with the right people to keep him grounded.
He drew comparisons to other sports, mentioning Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry's decade-long dominance in snooker, while acknowledging Phil Taylor's exceptional 20-year reign in darts as "not the norm".
While Littler's rise has been impressive, he still has a long way to go to match Beckham's wealth. The former footballer's net worth is estimated to exceed £370 million, more than ten times Littler's current value.
Littler faces challenges in maintaining his top performance. He has recently experienced early exits in two televised majors, failing to win a game in either.
Luke Littler has been told he could match David Beckham's net worth in the next 10 years
PA
However, opportunities for growth remain. Barry Hearn, former PDC Chairman, believes Littler could become a millionaire within the next year, citing the sport's incredible trajectory of growth.
The upcoming World Championship in December offers Littler another chance to boost his earnings before his 18th birthday in January.
Littler's potential to eclipse Beckham's wealth hinges on the continued growth of darts as a sport.
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Luke Littler won the Premier League in his first debut year
PA
Barry Hearn believes darts is on an "incredible trajectory of growth", suggesting Littler could benefit from increased prize money and sponsorship opportunities.
The young prodigy has already clinched two major wins this year, including the Premier League title and the World Series of Darts.
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