Michael Smith has told fellow darts players to stop complaining about Luke Littler and think about the extra money the 17-year-old has earned them.
Littler has taken his place at the top level of darts after transcending the sport with his stunning breakthrough at the World Darts Championship over Christmas.
He was afforded opportunities that players at his level wouldn’t normally get, such as a place in the Premier League (which he subsequently topped at the league stage), and an invitation to play in the World Series.
Smith claimed this angered some of the lower-ranked players, but he told them to be grateful Littler was there.
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Luke Littler and Jose de Sousa both completed an impressive 120 Premier League games, but who did it better?
“He’s done an amazing job of pushing the PDC boys further,” the 2023 world champion said. Victory at Sheffield on Thursday night secured a Premier League play-off spot.
“There are some people who are upset about it, but listen, my pockets are full every time I mention him.
“I think they’re getting annoyed. I went through it last year and Littler is going through it now.”
“I don’t think they’ll be happy that he’s getting everything. I don’t mind.
“The 70-year-old player in the world should not be bothered because this young man is now one of the best players in the world.
“For people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, what they should be thinking about is that their money is going to keep going up.
“The more this kid plays, the better sponsors we’ll get and hopefully Eddie (Hearn) will increase the prize money again, which is £1,000 to £1,500 on the ProTour.
“My money is only going to keep growing because there’s a kid doing this for me. I’m not angry and the other players shouldn’t be angry either. This kid didn’t do anything wrong.
“People are annoyed about him coming in and I can say a couple of the boys in the top 16 are annoyed too. But he’s going to make us a lot of money.”
Littler’s appearance propelled darts into the mainstream, with appearances on The Jonathan Ross Show, Comic Relief and a Forbes magazine cover shoot.
Smith added: “It’s because of Little that we went from where our ratings were to where the Premier League in the UK is now beating us in ratings.”
“Just because of that kid. You have to look at the bigger picture. The bigger picture is that darts are growing.
“If you can keep going and be good enough to stay in the top 32, he’s going to keep the sport growing. As long as the sport keeps growing, who cares?”
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Wayne Mardle says Little resembles the legendary Eric Bristow when he was the same age
The play-offs are coming, who will win?
Michael van Gerwen is a seven-time Premier League champion
The Premier League play-offs are held at London’s O2 Arena, with the top four competing for London’s top prize of £275,000.
In the tabletop semi-finals, top spot Luke Littler will take on 2018 runner-up Michael Smith, before world champion Luke Humphries takes on defending champion Michael van Gerwen.
The Premier League Darts League will continue with the play-offs on Sky Sports from the O2 Arena in London on Thursday 23 May. No contract, cancel anytime.
