LONDON (AP) — Luke Littler has signed what has been described as the biggest sponsorship deal in darts history, worth a reported 20 million pounds (nearly $27 million).
The 18-year-old reigning two-time world champion ’s deal with British company Target Darts was announced on Friday.
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England's Luke Littler lifts the trophy after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
England's Luke Littler reacts after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
England's Luke Littler lifts the trophy after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
England's Luke Littler reacts after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
No figures were disclosed but Britain’s Press Association said the agreement, including potential earnings and bonuses as well as a percentage of sales of products and equipment, was worth 20 million pounds over 10 years.
Littler, who has helped push darts into the mainstream and is now one of Britain’s most recognizable people, has won almost 3 million pounds ($4 million) in prize money over the last two years on the darts tour.
Of that, 1 million pounds ($1.34 million) came from winning the world championship on Saturday for the second straight year — a record winner’s prize.
Target Darts has sponsored Littler since the age of 12 and makes his darts. His image and trademark purple-and-yellow colors adorn accessories sold by the company in toy shops across the country.
Target Darts said the deal “represents the largest agreement in darts history between a brand and a player, reflecting Littler’s extraordinary achievements and Target’s long-term belief in his continued impact on and off the oche.”
“The scale of this new agreement reflects not only what Luke has already achieved, but the immense potential ahead,” said James Tattersall, chief executive of Target Darts.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
England's Luke Littler lifts the trophy after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
England's Luke Littler reacts after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
England's Luke Littler lifts the trophy after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
England's Luke Littler reacts after winning the World Darts Championships final match against Gian van Veen of the Netherlands at Alexandra Palace in London, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
CHICAGO (AP) — Connor Bedard is back. The rest of the Chicago Blackhawks, well, that's a day-to-day situation at the moment.
Bedard played Friday night against Washington in his first game since he hurt his right shoulder on a draw during a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Dec. 12. But the Blackhawks were hit hard by an illness that swept through their locker room, leaving them without their top two goaltenders.
The 20-year-old Bedard recorded four shots on goal while skating for more than 17 minutes in a 5-1 loss to the Capitals. He didn't take any faceoffs, and coach Jeff Blashill said that is the plan for the foreseeable future.
“I thought he played solid," Blashill said. "I thought he got better as the game went along, which is probably to be expected. I think part of it is trying to feel out what's going to hurt and what's not. So I know he felt probably more comfortable at the end than he did at the beginning.”
Bedard ranked among the NHL leaders with 19 goals and 25 assists at the time of the injury. The Blackhawks went 5-6-1 while he was out.
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft got a big ovation from the United Center crowd when he was announced with the starting lineup.
“I felt fine,” Bedard said. “I think it was kind of one of those games where the puck was kind of bouncing around a little bit, tough to get a lot of crisp pucks."
Bedard returned at an opportune time for a team that had to scramble to fill out their lineup for the matchup with the Capitals.
Goaltenders Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom, along with forward Ilya Mikheyev, defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Sam Lafferty, were scratched. Blashill missed the morning skate, but he was behind the bench for the game.
Bedard was activated from injured reserve, and defenseman Kevin Korchinski and goaltender Drew Commesso were recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League. Commesso made 19 saves in his second career NHL start, while Dave Nozzolillo served as his emergency backup. Korchinski, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft, skated for almost 14 minutes in his first game with Chicago since April 15.
The Blackhawks play again on Saturday night in Nashville.
“I do not know how I am going to deal with the goalies for tomorrow,” he said. “I don't know for sure who's available to me yet.”
Bedard and fellow center Frank Nazar were shelved during a stretch of 10 losses in 12 games for Chicago. But the Blackhawks had won a season-high four in a row before the loss to the Capitals.
Nazar, who turns 22 on Wednesday, is skating again, but there has been no word on when he might return to the lineup. He was hit in the face by a puck during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 20.
Bedard also missed part of his rookie season with a broken jaw, but he played in all 82 games last year.
“No one wants to have anything happen, but it's part of the game,” Bedard said after Friday's morning skate. “You just got to try to take that time to get better.”
Bedard's fast start moved him into contention for a spot on Team Canada for the Winter Olympics. But he was left off the roster when it was announced last week.
Bedard still could make the trip to Italy if he is needed as an injury replacement.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard attends warmups before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Hockey fans hold a sign as Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
