Luke Littler signs record sponsorship deal with Target Darts
Luke Littler has suggested he could be sporting fresh attire and potentially different equipment at the oche following his landmark sponsorship agreement with Target Darts, reports BritPanorama.
The teenage sensation, who claimed the world championship title at Alexandra Palace, penned a decade-long contract with the manufacturer last month in what represents the most lucrative deal in darts history, valued at approximately £20 million.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the 19-year-old indicated he is looking ahead to what the partnership might bring. “Now we look forward to what we’ve got to do with Target and see what plans (they have),” Littler said.
“New darts, new shirts and see what comes out for the next 10 years.” The world champion parted ways with his previous agent Martin Foulds at ZXF back in October, with Target now taking over his management responsibilities in addition to the sponsorship arrangement.
Despite the change, Littler spoke warmly about his former representative during the interview. “Martin at ZXF, he done absolute wonders for me. Got all the deals for me and the best price,” he explained. “He’s had a good career and I wish all the best to him.”
The young star, nicknamed The Nuke, appears firmly focused on what lies ahead rather than dwelling on past arrangements, with his attention now turned to the opportunities his new partnership could deliver.
Littler’s current look features his distinctive purple shirt adorned with neon yellow detailing across his name and shoulders, though this signature appearance may evolve if Target presents designs that appeal to him. When it comes to his arrows, the world champion currently throws with Target’s Gen One 23g model and has traditionally been hesitant to switch after experiencing difficulties with alternative versions.
“My dad always says to me. If it’s not broke, then don’t change it,” Littler revealed. “You’ve seen through the years I’ve tried with the gold darts, I’ve tried with the World Championship darts, but nothing seems to work apart from the Gen One’s.”
Despite this cautious approach, Littler maintains he remains receptive to experimenting with new equipment should something suitable emerge. “So I’ll stick with them, but if any new darts come out, I’ll obviously test them out,” he said.
A fresh approach might prove timely given the teenager’s recent difficulties on the circuit. Having suffered defeats in the opening two weeks of Premier League Darts, Littler fell to Gian van Veen before losing to Michael van Gerwen. As he adapts to this significant shift in his career, it remains to be seen how the newly minted champion will navigate both the challenges of the sport and the expectations that accompany such a high-profile sponsorship.
