Michael Smith received £500,000 after winning his first world title, but how much a dutch player truly earns? Know details here

The glamour clouding the PDC World Darts Championship has often let the viewers believe that the darts players make an endless fortune. Especially after Michael Smith received the prize money of £500,000 after defeating Michael van Gerwan and becoming the world champion. However, one former darts star has disclosed the reality which is different from several other players.

While Michael Smith jumped to the top of the PDC Order of Merit based on the prize money which was his last night’s victory as he has collected around £1.2 million in dart events, a former darts player has floated his warning over life in the PDC circuit. Writing for Sport ng LIfe, Paul Nicholson declared, “Let’s get one thing straight right away, being a dart player is not as luxurious as people think”.

Before diving into more details spilt by Nicholson, it is pertinent to mention that he has previously played at the highest level of darts and has even won the Players' Championship in 2010. Paul Nicholson was also the runner-up in the Champions League in 2011. Reflecting on his life on the PDC circuit, Nicholson admitted that there are surely the days for a dart player when the individual feels motivated to continue doing it for “the next 20 years”.


But, according to Nicholson, there are also those times when a dart player is left thinking that all that person does is “play darts, travel, pack suitcases and practice when I get home”. This year’s champion, Michael Smith along with other dart players such as Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen have all bagged more than £1million in PDC ranking events in just the last two years on top of the sponsorship agreements and appearance fees.


On the contrary, Nicholson underscored the hidden expenses that the player pays from the winning amount including the tax. The former darts player went on to write that even though the present stars in the circuit might have won millions, it does not necessarily mean “they have a million sitting in their bank accounts right now”. He also highlighted that the PDPA levy is 2% on the prize money. Moreover, the player’s management, which is behind the booking and travel and accommodation, also takes its share from the player’s winning and sponsorship amount.

Nicholson recalled that he himself has given 20% of all his income from sponsorships and exhibition work to his manager. The former darts player also warned the present stars of paying taxes on their winning income. He revealed that after receiving £60,000 for winning the Players' Championship in 2010, he walked away with only £22,000 after all the fees and tax. Nicholson also weighed on the exhibition circuit saying that the ones at the top of PDC rankings receive way more than those at the bottom. The range, he said, varies from £250 to £20,000 based on promotions.

FAQs:

1. Who won PDC World Championship?
   Michael Smith
2. How much did Michael receive on winning PDC World Championship?
   £500,000