SBC News Eddie Hearn to replace OBE winning father as Matchroom Chairman

Eddie Hearn to replace OBE winning father as Matchroom Chairman

Eddie Hearn has stepped up to the position of Group Chairman of Matchroom Sport, replacing his father Barry Hearn OBE, who will move into an advisory position as President of the Group.

Announced at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre during the Betfred World Championship snooker tournament, Eddie Hearn’s ascent to the top position at Matchroom will see him coordinate the group’s various sporting assets, including Matchroom Boxing, Matchroom Boxing USA, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), the PGA EuroPro Tour and Matchroom Media

Additionally, Steve Dawson will take over from Barry Hearn OBE as Chairman of World Snooker following the conclusion of the World Snooker Championship, whilst Katie Hearn will become CEO of Matchroom Media and Matthew Porter will take on the role of Chairman of Matchroom Multi Sport.

Barry Hearn OBE said: “It has been a huge honour to have worked with some of the greatest sports people on the planet across the last 40 years and enjoyed so many wonderful experiences across our spectrum of events in that time, from snooker’s glory days of the 1980s to record-breaking boxing shows and the incredible growth of professional darts, as we have created opportunities for thousands of sportsmen and women during that time.

“Great challenges have been met, but none more so than the COVID pandemic. I have been determined to stay in charge until this disaster passes and now there is light at the end of the tunnel and I believe it is the right time to pass control of Matchroom to my son Eddie and the brilliant teams we have assembled across all our activities.”

Barry Hearn OBE founded Matchroom in 1982, beginning with snooker promotions before moving into a range of other sports including boxing, darts, pool and 10-pin bowling.

In January 2021 the firm secured a deal with ITV, resulting in its snooker and darts events receiving coverage on the free-to-air broadcaster. 

Additionally, he served as Owner and Chairman of East London EFL club Leyton Orient for 19 years between 1995 and 2014, also acquiring majority shareholding in the PDC in 2001 and World Snooker in 2011.

Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn assumed the role of Chief Executive of the PGA EuroPro Tour after joining Matchroom in 2004 as well as overseeing the group’s poker and online gambling divisions.

However, he is best recognised as heading Matchroom Boxing, having promoted a number of world champion fighters such as Anthony Joshua and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, as well as penning a $1 billion deal with DAZN in 2018.

“My father has dedicated his life to the company and since I joined in 2004 I have done the same,” Eddie Hearn remarked. “Now a greater responsibility falls on my shoulders and I am very proud to continue his great work and lead the business and the incredible team that we have built at Matchroom. 

“We have seen astounding growth in the last ten years but we have only just begun. I look forward to continuously evolving and continuing the global growth of this astonishing family business.”

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