BDO - Palastrevolte!

The Torremolinos Open has been on a fast track decline for the past
three or four years. This tournament had for many years, been an ideal
opportunity for darts in the Sun as the BDO advertised it. During the
80’s, 90’s and the early part of the 21st Century this tournament was
unique in that the family could go on holiday to Southern Spain and
incorporate a week of darts. Several issues have materialised over the
past decade, none of which have been addressed by the current
administration. The issues which include the change in climate, the
introduction of the Euro as the local currency, together with the poor
playing venue, an increase in the cost of the holiday and the fact the
same prize money is on offer now as was on offer 20 years ago. With all
of these factors coming into account, this is a tournament which needs
serious consideration on either its viability or structure.

BDO RESPONSE: It must be understood that this is a ‘fun’ event designed to appeal to the rank and file darts player and very much a family affair, darts holiday/ ‘festival’. If there was higher prize money and invitation points on offer it would attract the ‘bigger’ players and thus spoil the whole idea of a get-away from-it-all darts break that is enjoyed and looked forward to by many. It is a darts holiday/festival that has been successful for 30 years and mixes competitive darts with fun and enjoyment. It epitomises the diversity of BDO darts and deserves to be better supported. The venue is excellent and surely it is a little unreasonable for the BDO to be made accountable for climate change and poor exchange rates?

TELEVISION EVENTS

Currently just two events are televised, the Winmau World Masters and the Lakeside World Professional Championship. Prior to that Setanta Sports had televised four other events, however this only lasted one year. Previously there had been no British televised events, outside of the two majors, for several years. With the advent of many sports channels, together with the likes of ITV4 showing major sporting events it is an area which has significant potential. The introduction of ESPN into the game of darts and specifically the BDO can only be a major positive injection; however their introduction comes at a cost which is the loss of the BBC to the World Masters. The overall cost will only be identified in real terms once the event has taken place. However the fact that the event is televised at all gives the BDO hope for the future. The World Masters however is another competition which is in danger of losing its identity, over the past 12 months a new points table was introduced so it was easier for all to track the World Masters rankings, with a now regular switch from the latter end of the year to September and back again means the competition has once again thrown up players being able to get two sets of points for one tournament or none at all depending on the date. It is essential the competition finds a stable date in the calendar.

BDO RESPONSE: The World Masters is a victim of the 20% budget cuts at the BBC. The decision is strictly financial. The BBC have not fallen out of love with BDO darts but like snooker and bowls, certain events have had to be cut from the current budget.....exactly in the same way as we are seeing cuts everywhere at the moment. The BDO have been in discussion with ESPN since January 2010 and when the World Masters became available it was offered to them immediately and following the submission of proposals and subsequent meetings, 3 days of coverage (mostly live darts) and over 18 hours of BDO darts has been secured, with IMG Sports Media (who have produced the Masters and World Pro for BBC) doing the production. This guarantees the best darts coverage and the bonus of Ray Stubbs returning as presenter of World Darts. It has to be recognised that ESPN (part of the massive Disney Corporation) is one of the biggest broadcasting organisations in the world and the World Masters represents an ‘investment’ by them in BDO darts of a six-figure sum. It is their first venture into darts and we should all be delighted that they are supporting BDO darts. Their future liaison with the BDO and our darts is down to the success of the 2011 World Masters. Every effort has been poured into making this happen, but it has not been easy with a new venue and dates that have only allowed a run-in period of just over 2 months. It should also be noted that ESPN executives, just like BBC and other broadcasting organisations, keep a watch on darts forums, and some of the postings do BDO darts and their supporters no favours at all. The BDO, including its Board of Directors and county officials, should make a conscious decision not to post (or respond to posts) on darts/sports forums. They are counterproductive, as are the people who post on them.

The World Professional Championships is a week long event in which the BBC has several programmes and several hours which are needed to be filled. If this is continued with its afternoon programme then the BDO must take the opportunity to establish a five minute spot each day to promote the Organisation and its benefits.

BDO RESPONSE: This shows a total lack of understanding of the BBC ethos and broadcast guidelines. They are not there to advertise the BDO (or anyone else for that matter) but they promote the organisation and its players by broadcasting the event – which they have done since 1978. This represents the longest running broadcast partnership with darts ANYWHERE in the world. There will be much more coverage in 2012, with longer afternoon shows and ESPN coming in to broadcast LIVE coverage of every weekday evening session (potentially 15 hours+), the 2nd Semi Final and simultaneous live coverage of the 2012 final (another 5-6 hours of live BDO darts). This has come out of the BDO’s discussions and meetings with ESPN and IMG Sports Media, and provides BDO darts and its players with the most diverse TV coverage in World Darts: BBC-1, BBC-2, BBC Worldwide, Eurosport, Eurosport Asia and now ESPN. BBC viewing figures alone are in their millions, and the BDO gets plenty of identity and name mentions throughout the World Pro week.

TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

The words structure and tournament have not been put together before within BDO tournaments. The attitude previously has been to put a tournament together and then decide what the format is going to be. Several issues need to be determined before any formal planning on this subject can be implemented; however a simple proforma would be to increase the length of matches at certain points within tournaments. The higher the category of the tournament the longer the latter stages should be. As such it might be that the final of a category ‘A’ tournament would be a minimum of the best of five sets five legs to a set, however a category ‘C’ tournament might just be the minimum of the best of nine legs. Furthermore the categorisation in respect of the numbers entering a competition should be based on the previous year’s numbers not the current years.

BDO RESPONSE: Tournaments are regularly reviewed and consideration given to any suggestions re format. The normal criteria is to ensure that the time-scale fits in with every tournament – something which is crucial in televised events.

PRIZE MONEY

Several years ago it was introduced that the category of a tournament had to have a minimum first prize. This was supported by the number of entries into that competition. The current categorisation is dependant on the prize fund rather than the first prize; however there is no determination as to how the prize fund is distributed. We believe that each category should be dependant on both the first prize and also how the fund is distributed.
BDO Response: Again, this is always open to review, but prize money has to be based on income from entry fees, which have always been kept as reasonable as possible. What would players be prepared to pay? Recently a tournament was attempted with an entry fee of £25 per player and only received interest from a handful of players. As mentioned previously, the women’s tournaments invariably run at a considerable loss (the recent British Classic didn’t take sufficient entries to cover the top prize) and often the whole prize structure needs to be supported by the BDO.

SPONSORSHIP

For several years now, sponsorship for the BDO has been limited to just a few companies. With Lakeside and Winmau the two main sponsors a few other companies such as East Yorkshire Events, John Smiths, Jackpot Joy and Pontins have made up the remaining sponsors. The recent introduction of Rileys was according to the board going to bring significant new income to the counties. Unfortunately this has not been forthcoming, and where Counties have received income it is not a sustainable long term answer. Therefore it is essential that the BDO in its movement forward identifies new areas for sponsorship as well as enhancing relationships with the current loyal group. It will be the responsibility of one individual to undertake the role of maintaining the current relationships and also developing new clients.
The current board have also failed in any bid they may have undertaken to identify minor sponsors. These are the type of companies such as water manufacturers to sponsor the water placed on the stage. Another area maybe to sponsor individual boards at tournaments, if 32 boards were sponsored at £100 per board this money for instance would go a long way to paying for the accommodation for officials. The person who undertakes the role of obtaining sponsorship will be given the opportunity to develop a new strategy in obtaining and maintaining clients.

BDO RESPONSE: Yet another misconception and lack of understanding of the market – especially in today’s recessionary times. Everyone ‘thinks’ that sponsorship is easy to obtain until they go into the marketplace and try to find it! Nowadays there just isn’t enough available money from companies, and the main criteria is television (ideally LIVE) and a solid commercial return.

Earlier in this document the pitfalls have been pointed out, and far too often sponsors have been let down by a real lack of commitment from the counties and players in general. The maxim should be: If you want to get something out of sponsorship, then you have to put something in.

Rileys and Netsports are two prime examples. They offer opportunity for counties to make additional money, but it requires input and enthusiasm from the counties. Sponsorship is not a philanthropic institution but a business commitment.

The PDC is often cited as being a ‘brand leader’ in sponsorship and prize money. However, they change sponsors on a regular basis and can attract on-line gambling organisations because all their darts are live on Sky. Through Barry Hearn sponsorship comes from his involvement in other sports like snooker and pool or poker, as well as from his relationship with Sky advertising companies.

The PDC prize money is funded further by the type of sky-high entry fees and PDPA membership (compulsory) that would not be tolerated by BDO players/officials.

BDO sponsors past and present cannot be dismissed as ‘few and far between’: Embassy was a massive sponsor until government bans on tobacco sponsorship came into effect in 2003. Since then, Bob Potter and Lakeside have provided millions of pounds to keep the World Pro in its position as the premier event in World Darts. Without doubt this has kept the BBC very much on board and 2012 marks the 34th consecutive year of BDO darts on the BBC (something which Barry Hearn is extremely envious of). Pontin’s have been super supportive over many years and Winmau have supported the BDO for almost 40 years. John Smith’s have supported the World Masters and World Pro as well as introducing ‘People’s Darts’; the government ‘Fire Kills’ campaign sponsored the BDO International Grand Prix series; Jackpotjoy.com have been supporters of the World Masters and World Pro since 2006; East Riding of Yorkshire, Bridlington and Hull Councils have supported the World Pro and other events including the British Open and BDO British Internationals over a number of years. All are hugely reputable sponsors and supporters of BDO darts.

Every possible sponsor has been approached, including water companies, insurance companies, breweries, credit card companies, etc, etc. The reasons for no uptake can include lack of available money for this type of activity, the ‘image’ of darts not being deemed ‘suitable’ for some products and services, and lack of commitment from counties, countries, players and officials.
WORLD RANKINGS

The current systems in use for the World Rankings are at best complicated and at worst unmanageable. The timings of competitions together with the many other criteria set down means that it is almost impossible to maintain accurate and current tables. Later in this document it will be outlined how to identify individual players, which currently seems to be an almost impossible task. This current year I am aware of occasions where players have had their name either put in twice or put against the wrong player. Therefore a working party of new board members together with board members of the WDF will sit down and discuss a new pathway forward. Furthermore as outlined in the prize money section of open tournaments a review of how tournaments are graded will also be a part of any discussion.

BDO Response: The BDO Invitation Tables are subject to review every Autumn.

MEDIA

Currently the BDO is in a mixed position and lacking direction when it comes to the media. Robert Holmes who is employed by the BDO as a PR consultant also has the responsibility of media relations. The main areas of the media are Television, Radio and the written press. With regards to Television I believe the board have either failed to use Robert, or he has failed to gain the BDO suitable air time at the two major championships hosted by the BDO. Either way the BDO have failed to gain airtime to publicise the company, its assets and strategies. Radio and in particular local radio can be a useful tool in the promotion of individual counties, however it appears few counties utilise this tool. The written media are all too often falling on one side of the divide or the other; however the BDO cannot expect to gain vast coverage in the national press because of the current lack of major tournaments. It was muted in many circles that following the take over of Darts World the BDO would lose its main source of media. However at the moment the coverage attained within the magazine is fair and proper, that being said unless there is a direction and strategy with regards to media coverage this may change.

BDO RESPONSE: This again shows naivety and a lack of understanding of the media. All media is provided with information on all BDO events on a regular basis, but the fact of the matter is that the national media are only interested when the World events are on TV – typically, this is from December through to January. At that time the BDO gets more than its fair share of coverage in national, regional and world media.

Robert Holmes handles all of this on his own and does a first-class job in promoting the BDO, its players, officials and tournaments.

As previously mentioned, to expect the BBC to provide stand-alone promotion of the BDO at the World Masters and World Pro is not even an option. The BBC actually does so by providing coverage and mentioning the organisation at appropriate times during the 9 days coverage. To put it in perspective, the World Pro is on a par with Wimbledon. There have been TV features on Olly Croft, the history of the BDO and World Championship, various players, the Bob Potter/Lakeside connection and tremendous coverage (including videos) on the BBC website and BBC online. It is a complete package of the very best in TV coverage and all the information provided to the BBC commentators and presenters is provided by RH.

In addition, he pioneered the successful campaign to get darts recognised as a sport and more recently Darts World has been nurtured by him on behalf of the BDO, even to the extent of getting negative material removed from its pages. Again, just like Darts Monthly, regular information is issued and the website is kept updated, despite the fact that there is no dedicated webmaster.

The PDC gets the bulk of its coverage in the Murdoch titles, simply because of the Sky connection. The BICC results are issued after every weekend during the season to the Press Association and many others.

THE PROFESIONAL GAME

If the BDO is to survive in its current format then the Professional, or top end, of the sport must be approached in a far more professional manner by the BDO. Ever since the inception of the PDC many players have just utilised the BDO as a stepping stone before moving across the divide.

This does not mean that millions of pounds need to be invested into the top end of the sport; moreover a direction needs to be found whereby players striving to get to the top of the game look towards the BDO as their focus rather than the PDC. It does mean that more money is required within tournaments it also means that players who go onto reach the latter stages of major tournaments are felt to be wanted at other events.

BDO RESPONSE: The PDC has 128 members, of whom probably no more than 25% of players earn enough to be professionals. It is run purely as a business for the benefit of the PDC and those 25% of players. It is the BUSINESS of darts.
The BDO was never set up to satisfy the needs of a few, but to provide darts for all – irrespective of age, gender or ability. It has the responsibility for thousands of players and officials and is the SPORT of darts.

The vast majority are working people who enjoy playing darts and the camaraderie of the social structure within the BDO. There has been a vibrant top end of BDO darts long before the PDC claimed that they had ‘discovered’ it. Flagship tournaments like the Masters and World Pro have been shop windows for all the top players, past and present, and there is no better exposure than that given by the BBC.

IDPA

The IDPA has for many years claimed to be the player’s voice within the BDO, despite there being a Players Director sitting on the Board. The current Board of Directors have over several years consulted with the IDPA when initiating new ideas, or when problems have arisen. The IDPA have themselves either introduced or tried to introduce strategies, initiatives or ventures into the system. Currently the IDPA appears to have little impact on the sport. Their membership does not fully represent the top end of the game, which is where they see their role to exist. Subsequently it will be necessary to develop an association with the IDPA which provides a basis and substance for both their existence and their role within the sport.

BDO RESPONSE: We cannot possibly comment on this subject except to say that the BDO has always enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the IDPA.

PDC

Since its inception the PDC have set their own agenda, rules, regulations and guidelines all of which have been either directed at expanding their own side of the business or looking after their own players. In the meantime the BDO have failed to identify where the PDC sit within their system. The PDC has since its inception targeted the top end, be it the player or official, within the sport of darts. Several players have decided to play within the PDC system having previously played within the BDO system. The PDC has as earlier stated, provided their own rules, regulations and guidelines for these players. In the meantime the BDO since the Tomlin Order has failed to provide any adequate safeguarding for either its member counties or the playing members within its own system. Therefore a structure by which everybody has an identifiable position is essential. This might be on the one extreme that any member of the PDC is not allowed entrance into a venue controlled by the BDO, to any member of the PDC can play in every single event controlled by the BDO. The PDC currently has just128 playing members, so to provide a defined structure within which those members can or cannot participate within the BDO system is long overdue.

BDO RESPONSE: We shouldn’t even consider the PDC. They are a completely separate organisation with no affiliation to the BDO or its counties. They do not consider the BDO – except when ‘poaching players – and are run simply to make money for a few rather than look after the needs of the majority.

Olly Croft OBE

For the record, since its inception, the BDO has a maintained a policy of not criticising other organisations, players or officials. It is counter-productive and destructive to our system.

However, in their usual sleight-of-hand way, the PDC have suddenly ‘discovered’ youth in the same way that they ‘discovered’ women’s darts!
However, the PDC have treated women’s and youth darts as a gimmick
It must be noted that Anastasia Dobromyslova has returned to the BDO because of lack of opportunity in the PDC. She was used as a gimmick by posing for glamour photographs and being put in competition with the men. Where is the respect for the women’s game or the ‘growth’ factor there?

BDO RESPONSE: We shouldn’t even consider the PDC. They are a completely separate organisation with no affiliation to the BDO or its counties. They do not consider the BDO – except when ‘poaching players – and are run simply to make money for a few rather than look after the needs of the majority.

It should also be noted that ESPN executives, just like BBC and other broadcasting organisations, keep a watch on darts forums, and some of the postings do BDO darts and their supporters no favours at all. The BDO, including its Board of Directors and county officials, should make a conscious decision not to post (or respond to posts) on darts/sports forums. They are counterproductive, as are the people who post on them.