Chris Mason has called for radical changes to the Players Championship Finals and World Series of Darts, insisting the top 16 in the world should be automatically invited to ensure broadcasters have the star names they need. Speaking in a lengthy chat with Online Darts, the former player turned pundit and commentator argued that the current system is failing, with top players increasingly skipping ProTour events.
Mason highlighted that entries have reached a new low, with over 15 players skipping in Hildesheim and more alarmingly in Leicester. He noted that under his proposal, the top 16 would get invited automatically, providing a safety net for broadcasters that they would have Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen (if he stays in the top 16) in the field. 'There are a few things that have got to change. They’ve got to change the Players Championship format and make it the top 16 in the world automatically involved,' Mason said.
Mason pointed to the declining appeal of ProTour events, saying, 'Fewer and fewer players are going to commit to playing Players Championship events now because, quite frankly, it’s lost its mojo.' He contrasted the current £15,000 winner’s prize with the early days when he won a couple of times with £2,400. He added that if he were a broadcaster or sponsor and didn’t have Littler, Humphries, and Price guaranteed, he’d be asking questions. 'I think the rules will have to change. You need the elite players in your premier events, especially the TV events.'
Mason also revealed that as far as he knows, Luke Littler is not planning to play Pro Tours this year, citing that his parents said they wouldn’t be at the traditional curry club outing before Minehead. 'Things can change, obviously. He might suddenly decide to go to Wigan or whatever, but as it stands he’s not doing them.' Mason noted that players like Nathan Aspinall can earn more money doing exhibitions and shows, and that Pro Tours barely make a dent in rankings anymore, with only European Tours having a significant impact.
On the World Series, Mason argued that inviting the top 16 would free up the calendar to run more events and create a worldwide tour feel, similar to golf. He suggested holding World Series events in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, where fans are starved of big events. 'Ireland used to have the World Grand Prix and now that’s in Leicester. Don’t tell me there isn’t a venue in Ireland capable of hosting a European Tour or World Series event. Killarney would be perfect,' he said.
