Luke Littler may be the name on everyone’s lips after his explosive rise to the top of professional darts, but despite his growing prize money and commercial appeal, he is not the wealthiest player the sport has ever produced. That distinction belongs to a man whose dominance reshaped darts forever and set financial benchmarks that still stand today.
Phil Taylor, universally known as “The Power”, is widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time and remains the richest in the sport’s history, with an estimated net worth of around $10 million (£8 million). Taylor’s fortune is the product of an extraordinary career that spanned more than 30 years and redefined what was possible in professional darts.
Taylor burst onto the scene in the early 1990s and quickly established himself as an unstoppable force. Over the course of his career, he won a staggering 214 professional tournaments, a record that dwarfs those of his rivals.
Most notably, he claimed 16 World Championship titles, a feat unmatched before or since and one that may never be equalled.
His success coincided with a period of rapid growth for the sport.
As darts became a major television attraction, prize money increased significantly, and Taylor was almost always the man lifting the biggest cheques.
His dominance ensured a steady flow of earnings, while his recognisable persona and consistent excellence made him a favourite of sponsors and broadcasters alike.
Beyond prize money, Taylor capitalised on his fame through endorsement deals, exhibition matches around the world and long-term sponsorship agreements.
Even after stepping away from the professional circuit, he continued to earn through appearances, ambassadorial roles and special events, further cementing his financial legacy.
In contrast, modern players such as Littler are entering a vastly different landscape, where social media exposure, higher tournament purses and global fanbases offer new earning opportunities.
However, they also face far greater competition, making sustained dominance far more difficult.
