It was announced on Tuesday that Barry Hearn OBE will become President of the Matchroom Sport Group, with Eddie Hearn taking over as Chairman.
The news comes almost 20 years after Hearn became Chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation, with the sport's elite level undergoing incredible growth since.
News of the 72-year-old passing the baton to son Eddie has been met with a great social media reaction.
Eddie Hearn
Today is a major day for our family as my dad steps aside as Chairman of Matchroom Sport and I take up the role. Anyone that knows me is well aware of what Matchroom means to me and our family. I look forward to continuing the global growth of this astonishing family business ? pic.twitter.com/hCTquWYpVy
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) April 20, 2021
16-time World Champion Phil Taylor
Happy Retirement to @BarryHearn the hardest working most enthusiastic man in Sport. Enjoy Fella.
— Phil Taylor (@PhilTaylor) April 20, 2021
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter
Very proud to be stepping up to chair Matchroom Multi Sport as well as being PDC CEO.
— Matthew Porter (@MattPorter_PDC) April 20, 2021
20 years working for Barry - I couldn't have learnt from anyone better.
We're in safe hands with Eddie taking forward and our brilliant teams across each department will keep setting the pace! https://t.co/NUQOe8AjFS
Two-time World Champion Gary Anderson
Thanks for everything you have done for us @BarryHearn good luck in your retirement. More fishing for you what more can a man ask for ?? https://t.co/zX9YwdjReA
— Gary Anderson (@GaryAnderson180) April 20, 2021
2010 Players Championship Finals winner Paul Nicholson
I am so grateful for everything that @BarryHearn has done for sport, nevermind my own vocation for #darts.
— Paul “The Asset” Nicholson (@TheAsset180) April 20, 2021
Enjoy retirement chief. https://t.co/7J3iZsf6Ql
Lithuanian star Darius Labanauskas
I don’t think any professional Dart Player would have the life that we are able to live if it weren’t for @BarryHearn and @matchroomsport @OfficialPDC - Thank you Barry for all your work and happy retirement ?@EddieHearn the biggest boxing promoter on planet, now No1 in Darts? https://t.co/InJD9OS1QR
— Darius Labanauskas (@170LuckyD) April 20, 2021
Latvia's Madars Razma
I can agree with you @TheAsset180 ? I'm only in the PDC darts for the fifth year, but I have already felt how professional everything is going in the @OfficialPDC system?
— Madars Razma (@MadarsRazma) April 20, 2021
Thank you @BarryHearn and I'm sure, big things will be in the future with @EddieHearn ? https://t.co/1mhgGynLJF