William Hill in further darts sponsorship deal
News on 16 Jan 2012
News on 16 Jan 2012
William Hill plc has extended its commitment to the sport of darts with a betting partnership agreement with McCoy’s Premier League Darts.
The deal continues the bookmaker’s association with the sport following its successful sponsorship of the 2011 William Hill Grand Slam of Darts at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton.
The new partnership with the PDC will allow William Hill to offer punters the opportunity to bet at each of the Premier League venues. They will also have a presence on the players’ shirts and at the fifteen arenas around the country.
The bookie group has made Phil Taylor their 13/8 favourite to land his sixth Premier League crown, whilst double world champion Adrian Lewis is rated the 4/1 second favourite.
The top two players in the world will be joined by two previous Premier League winners – Gary Anderson (2011) and James Wade (2009). The pair are rated 9/2 and 7/1 respectively by William Hill.
Andy Hamilton (25/1), runner-up to Adrian Lewis in this year’s PDC World Championship, has been rewarded for his sensational run at the Ally Pally with a place in this year’s Premier League. ‘The Hammer’ will also be joined by Kevin Painter (25/1), the recent winner of the Cash Converters Player’s Championship in Doncaster.
The eight man line-up is completed by two former World Champions – Simon Whitlock and Raymond Van Barneveld. Whitlock, who suffered a broken ankle last year, is rated a 7/1 shot to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League, while the out of sorts ‘Barney’ is one of the outsiders at 20/1 to win the event.
“We thank William Hill for their continued backing,” said PDC chairman Barry Hearn. “The William Hill Grand Slam of Darts was a huge success and it’s great to welcome them as the official betting partners of the McCoy’s Premier League Darts.
“The tournament is building into the most exciting yet since this concept was introduced in 2005 and we’re delighted to have their support.”
Kristof Fahy, chief marketing officer at William Hill, said: “Darts is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and we’re really excited to be associated with this fifteen-night sporting extravaganza.”
